Credit Card Advice (Travel)

[lionkingZ]

Hi there,

I did do a search and found some overlapping threads, but thought it might be best to start my own to address my own concerns.

I have never owned a credit card before but I am interested in getting one because I think it might be the safest card that I could carry when travelling abroad for a prolonged period of time.

However, as I'm so uneducated in the matter, I don't really know what I should be looking for. What are the main things to look for when getting a card? Will I be limited in choice because of my lack of credit history? Is getting a card for travel a good idea? I was planning on taking the credit card, then paying this amount off immediately from my debit account each month.

Thoughts?

Thank you very much

[Ed Rooney]

A credit card offers you some peace of mind while traveling. If bad guys get your debit card number, you could be stranded without money until the bank sorts it out.

The main benefits you should seek are:

Low foreign transaction fees.

High acceptance (usually Visa/MC)

Ability to get cash advances (emergencies only)

Cash back or points for each dollar you spend

Ask this question at flyertalk.com and you'll get a bunch of good answers.



Some of the higher level cards like Amex Platinum offer you airport lounge access, but they come at a price.

[mboverst]

I'm no expert in the matter, but I do like credit cards for travel. I highly suggest the Amex Platinum card, especially when travelling overseas. I think it's $495 a year, but they'll cover just about everything. You get access to most of the airport lounges for free, no overseas transaction fees (I think), they give you a $200 credit with the airlines (used for checked bag fees, flight transfers, etc), rewards, upgraded hotels with late check-out, etc, etc.

If you take the $200 back that you will indefinitely use, it's pretty much a no brainer at $295 a year. Get stuck in a third world country and need new glasses? The Amex concierge will find them for you. The benefits are pretty big and well worth it IMHO.

[TSW]

Originally Posted by mboverst

I'm no expert in the matter, but I do like credit cards for travel. I highly suggest the Amex Platinum card, especially when travelling overseas. I think it's $495 a year, but they'll cover just about everything. You get access to most of the airport lounges for free, no overseas transaction fees (I think), they give you a $200 credit with the airlines (used for checked bag fees, flight transfers, etc), rewards, upgraded hotels with late check-out, etc, etc.

If you take the $200 back that you will indefinitely use, it's pretty much a no brainer at $295 a year. Get stuck in a third world country and need new glasses? The Amex concierge will find them for you. The benefits are pretty big and well worth it IMHO.

X2

[DiamondJack]

Originally Posted by mboverst

I'm no expert in the matter, but I do like credit cards for travel. I highly suggest the Amex Platinum card, especially when travelling overseas. I think it's $495 a year, but they'll cover just about everything. You get access to most of the airport lounges for free, no overseas transaction fees (I think), they give you a $200 credit with the airlines (used for checked bag fees, flight transfers, etc), rewards, upgraded hotels with late check-out, etc, etc.

If you take the $200 back that you will indefinitely use, it's pretty much a no brainer at $295 a year. Get stuck in a third world country and need new glasses? The Amex concierge will find them for you. The benefits are pretty big and well worth it IMHO.

I have been finding recently in Europe, South America (Brazil and Argentina) and China that Amex is not being so readily accepted due to the high fees they charge the retailer. I have found Visa and MasterCard much more widely accepted and with my particular Visa card, which costs something like £200 a year, I also get access to all the airport lounges, inclusive travel insurance even for up to 5 people (not family) travelling with me. This covers all medical insurance and even winter sports.

But the golden rule is to check acceptability in the country you will be travelling to. No point in having something widely accepted in the US but which is like trying to spend monopoly money abroad

[Numismatist]

Also from the merchant side, Amex does not post credits with the charges; so balancing their statements to the merchants is really difficult and time consuming. This is another reason why some don't accept Amex.

[Oyster1982]

Also when traveling in Europe be aware that they have the pin and chip system, which US issued credit cards do not have. Some merchants know how to overide the system and some dont. I actually wonder when the US will get the pin and chip system?

[rr-nyc]

The OP has never had a credit card... I can say with 99% certainty that Amex will not approve a platinum card. WIth limited or no credit history, I doubt you're going to have a high enough limit to travel very long without needing cash or making muliple payments along the way.

Like their ads say, membership has its priveledges. Amex waives international transaction fees for platinum and centurion card holders which makes it even more better for travel. For all card members, their emergency card replacement and travelers checks is the best in the business. The downside is that its not as widely accepted but thats changing.

Visa and MC are more widely accepted. For that reason, I got sick of getting hit with 3% fees by Chase and BofA so I got a Capital One Visa that I only use when traveling internationally. They waive all international transaction fees - The only Visa/MC card issuer I know of that does that. In fact, it costs them 1% and isn't passed on to the card holder.

[rodrob59]

I'd suggest taking two, one to use and one "just in case" card. My last time in London mine got cloned on my first purchase (never let it out of your sight) and couldn't get a replacement until I returned home.