We are well experienced travelers but this time we had problems with our cards. The one Visa card from State Farm insurance ( we have used for 15 years and I both told them and marked it on the account when and where we were traveling) was denying charges and causing problems with my home automatic payments, etc. Luckily I had another card we had just for traveling. It was an American Express from Wells Fargo and it also was informed of our travel and worked well. Unfortunately, it was not accepted for some train tickets in Europe (only Visa or Master Card) on line. We very fortunately had cash with us, but still. When we went to Japan we had no problems with the Visa.
I clearly need to get another card this time a Visa or MasterCard this time from a larger company? Is there an airlines, company, etc. that you have no problems with in traveling?
I was recently in Scotland - my company card, which I was supposed to use for my expenses, is an American Express. It was not widely accepted. I was able to use it a handful of times, but for the majority of my expenses, I ended up using my personal Capital One MasterCard. I chose to use it because it does not charge foreign transaction fees on purchases.
Capital One has a business line, called Spark Business.
Capital One works well when I travel to Europe. I have a MC and Visa with them…no longer have to let them know when traveling , they message you with every transaction and no additional fees
Since it sounds like you like to keep it simple with credit cards, then I second the Capital One recommendation. ALL of their cards have no foreign transaction fees. Capital One Quicksilver Rewards has no annual fee and earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Another recommendation is to get two separate credit card accounts, one for you and one for your spouse. Why? My uncle was pick-pocketed in Paris, so he had to report all his cards as stolen. His wife was carrying all of the same cards, so they were left with NO working credit cards. When DH and I travel, we each carry credit cards, but have no duplicates between us.
It may matter that you notify your cards of travel in advance of your trip. Our BoA credit card is usually fine overseas with a travel alert in place, but it always denies overseas charges we are making at home in advance of the trip. We could probably contact them to verify each charge in advance or perhaps after a failed attempt, but we use a Chase Visa that has allowed such charges without question.
We always travel with several cards, notify them of travel in advance, and are sure all pins for cash withdrawals are 4 digits for European trips.
I used my Chase Sapphire and H used his Citi American Airlines card, so we would have 2 different ones in case of loss or theft. Both have no foreign transaction fees, Sapphire gives 2% on dining and travel, and I can notify Chase online when I am traveling.
I’ve used a Capital One MasterCard for years with no problems except the occasional email alert requiring me to confirm the transaction when I’ve booked from home in foreign currencies. They seem convinced that their new chip technology makes even this unnecessary. I booked some travel in Asia in foreign currency in my kid’s name and it sailed through, followed by a similar second transaction in my name. Used that card three months ago in England quite easily also.
My Chase Visa has just changed policies on foreign transaction fees - no longer assessed. I tested that last month in Asia. No fees! So, I will be using that one again.
I also carry a B of America with no transaction fees. I use this only as a back-up, but it has never been a problem and has been accepted in France and Spain when for unknown reasons my first choice of card didn’t go through.
I have, twice, been in situations where a card was compromised while I was traveling, unrelated to my usage. Both times, it was not possible to get a replacement card shipped timely to me at my foreign residence. I was very glad I carry multiple cards.
The times we have had problems is when one person is traveling and another is home using the card with the same number. This sets of the fraud alert. Even with Capital One. But they are good now sending email where you can just click “everything is ok,” It’s frustrating some of the online account features let you enter only foreign travel, not domestic.
The safe path to avoid hassles is to call the credit card company and let them know one is traveling abroad and one will be home. They’ll make a note of it and it should resolve (most) of the issues.
We have a citi visa and had no problem anywhere. We don’t have to call them when traveling, either. We have only one card and tickets are bought with it. They know who is traveling where.
Another vote for Cap One. Now, you don’t even need to tell them you’re traveling - they say so when you click the Travel Alert link while logged into your account. Some countries require a PIN to sue any automated payment machines, like gas pumps or ticketing machines, rather than the US chip and sign option. If you want one, Capital One will now even send you a PIN.
I don’t like cards with points for travel, so I use the Cap One Quicksilver. I’d rather decide myself where to spend my rewards.
I have a Bank of America Visa travel rewards card which I got specifically for a European trip and will only use when travelling abroad. The key was no fees - no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. It was accepted wherever they accepted credit cards (some places in this world will be cash only). Discover and AMEX are not really international cards and you will have issues with them.
The Chase United Visa is my go to card for Europe, Asia and home. No foreign transaction fees, primary car rental insurance in most countries, and if I let them know about travel, no problem. Yes, there is an annual fee, but I travel enough that I appreciate the free bag and early boarding as well as mileage accrual.
I wish the Delta Amex worked as well, but it is not much accepted overseas. Travel on United…well, you take your chances. However it was ok for my recent Asia trip, and the United fares could not be beat. The United FF plan allows open jaw tickets, which I have found useful.
I also like the Capital One visa. Other cards I have simply freeze your card if they suspect a problem and you have to call in and verify recent charges to get it working again. That’s a hassle and very expensive when you’re traveling outside the country. Capital One, as others have noted, just send you an email. The other major benefit that I haven’t seen mentioned here is that if you have multiple people with cards, each has a different number so that if one has a problem, only that one person’s card/account number is frozen. So, not only does H have a Cap One but so do each of my kids. It’s the “family card” that’s for parent approved transactions or a true emergency. Not only will mine not be frozen if one of the kids loses theirs, but, when the bill comes, it’s clear who charged what. I really appreciate that.
We also are new users of Chase Sapphire (got in on a recent large sign up bonus) and used that extensively on our recent Europe trip too. Never had a problem.
I have a Capital One card. True, no problems UNLESS you need a true chip and PIN, not a signature and PIN.
We now use the Barclay’s Arrival card. No foreign transaction fees, 2X points for every $ spent and it’s true chip and pin. We were able to purchase transit tickets at an unmasked kiosk. Our Capital One card would have left us stranded.