My student has a debit card with Schwab based on CC recommendations but will also need a credit card that can be used in Russia. The host school recommends having a credit card for cash advances, just in case. Does anyone have a card that they recommend?
Cash advance will have fees.
For ordinary credit card purchase use, consider cards listed at https://www.creditcards.com/no-foreign-transaction-fee/
My Capital One card has no foreign transaction fees.
Ditto on getting a Capital One card - we got one specifically b/c of the no foreign transaction fee, to use when we are out of the US
My Amazon and Costco Visas both have no foreign transaction fees.
Bank of America Travel Rewards
Chase Sapphire (Preferred?)
Delta American Express
Just got email from Costco Visa that they eliminated foreign transaction fees.
We used our Capital One debit card in Germany at ATMs and had no fees, it just converted the money we withdrew from Euro to US Dollars based on the exchange rate.
Just read that Costco VISA email too - nice!
We used to use a Capital One Visa card for international travel. A couple of years ago I switched us the the Barclay Arrival Master Card. Both cards waive foreign transaction fees. However, the Barclay card is a TRUE chip and pin (not chip and signature). This allows you to make purchases at unattended kiosks and certain establishments that don’t let you sign for the charge. I strongly recommend a true chip and pin card for anyone spending extended time abroad.
I don’t know about Russia, but every country we have visited - have ATM’s that work with most US bank cards. Much cheaper than a CC cash advance - which begins accruing interest the moment of the withdrawal. No 30 day grace period.
Chase Marriott card (has a fee, but helps with room upgrades). Note that the Citi Costco Visa card cannot be used at Costco in Canada (they use Mastercard)
My daughter used her debit card from our credit union for cash advances. It does have a 1% fee, but that’s not bad. I was able to move money into her account easily. She didn’t buy much or withdraw that much money while there.
Credit card cash advances will all have a fee. IIRC they also start calculating interest as soon as the advance is take, it is a very bad way to get cash. Consider a pre loaded card of some kind or the debit option.
If you are getting a credit card, get one with no foreign transaction fees AND chip and pin. I’ve been stuck at train stations and other kiosks that only take credit cards (cannot use US debit card) where the chip and signature cards do not work. This caused a fiasco early in the morning several times.
Easiest to get, depending on your bank of choice are:
Barclay World Elite
Bank of America Travel Rewards
My S said that Apple Pay will also work as a pin and chip card if it has a credit card loaded. He has used it internationally with no problems.
I have both Delta Amex and Costco Visa. I was just informed that you cannot use Amex in most places in Prague, where I will be visiting this summer. So, the news about Costco Visa was very well received.
No discover cards charge fees. Though I’ve been warned they’re not accepted in a lot of places.
USAA and Chase have cards with no Forex, but always double-check as terms do change.
Most cards charge fees for cash advances.