U.S. Credit Cards Without Foreign Transaction Fees - Survey

[OnMyWay]

2 hours ago, craftbeerlover said:

100 dollars isnt so bad.  Like you, I have had both my credit cards for many many many years.   I did downgrade the AMEX after I stopped working/traveling so that annual cost decreased substantially.  Neither of my cards have ever had a foreign transaction fee. 

Yes, and once I have some time, I will try to figure out which is better for travel; the 2% cashback with SDFCU or the travel credits for my CapOne.  For some travel purchases, I think CapOne is better.  For my everyday stuff, 2% cashback / discount is probably better.  I just bought pizza with it.  Again no signature for a p649 purchase.

As I have mentioned before, buying in pesos on the U.S. credit cards and paying it off in USD gets me great exchange rate with Visa and Mastercard.  Much better than transferring USD over here then exchanging at my bank or other changer.  My SS goes to my U.S. account so using those USD like this works well.  I will be buying a lot of kitchen appliances this way next week, and also get the 2% cashback.

[OnMyWay]

On 3/10/2024 at 3:01 PM, OnMyWay said:

I forgot to mention this side topic that some members might find helpful.  I recently checked my credit report and they gave some of the factors that were considered.  The fact that I have had this card for 22 years was in the top 3 reasons contributing to having a high credit rating.  For that reason, I will bite the bullet and have it renewed in July.  I think I will have to pay ~$100 to have it sent over from my Travelling Mailbox.

 

On 3/10/2024 at 5:06 PM, craftbeerlover said:

100 dollars isnt so bad.  Like you, I have had both my credit cards for many many many years.   I did downgrade the AMEX after I stopped working/traveling so that annual cost decreased substantially.  Neither of my cards have ever had a foreign transaction fee. 

I got a pleasant surprise today.  My new Capital One card was sent to my Travelling Mailbox.  Travelling Mailbox only charges $43.35 + $2 service charge to send it on Fedex.  That is a good rate they have with their Fedex contract now.

[Imaginos]

Nobody got a Schwab ATM card here? No international transaction fee. They pay the 200 peso foreign ATM card fee. No yearly fee.

[Old55]

38 minutes ago, Imaginos said:

Nobody got a Schwab ATM card here? No international transaction fee. They pay the 200 peso foreign ATM card fee. No yearly fee.

Correct.

[Me2]

1 hour ago, Imaginos said:

Nobody got a Schwab ATM card here? No international transaction fee. They pay the 200 peso foreign ATM card fee. No yearly fee.

We have one. All true.

[OnMyWay]

On 5/26/2024 at 7:58 AM, Imaginos said:

Nobody got a Schwab ATM card here? No international transaction fee. They pay the 200 peso foreign ATM card fee. No yearly fee.

Yes, but for a brokerage account, you can't let them know if you are living in the Philippines.  If they suspect you are ...

[OnMyWay]

On 5/24/2024 at 11:56 PM, OnMyWay said:

 

I got a pleasant surprise today.  My new Capital One card was sent to my Travelling Mailbox.  Travelling Mailbox only charges $43.35 + $2 service charge to send it on Fedex.  That is a good rate they have with their Fedex contract now.

Card arrived today.  I had tp pay 579 pesos because Fedex had to create a commercial invoice for customs.  No delay though.

[StayAtHomeDad]

On 3/9/2024 at 9:15 PM, OnMyWay said:

I received my SDFCU Premium Cashback credit card today, sent to my Philippines address.  Initially they were going to send it snail mail, and I said no, stop.  No problem, they sent it Fedex for free.

No problem with Philippines address

No foreign transaction fees

2% cashback on every purchase

$200 bonus if you spend 3 k USD in the first 90 days.

Syncs with my Quicken software so I can download all transactions.

Excellent exchange rate.  I tried my first purchase at my fav Petron.  1960.21 pesos billed as $35.27 = ~55.58.

Very good experience getting the card.  Good customer service.

 

 

Yep, SDFCU cards are awesome. I have three of them. No fees of any kind and points add up so fast. I use mine for just about everything and then just pay them off immediately. Have gotten so many Amazon gift cards that I've lost count. 

Edited May 29 by StayAtHomeDad

[Imaginos]

These SDFCU cards look interesting. Do you need to be ex-military or govt employee to get one?

[OnMyWay]

4 hours ago, Imaginos said:

These SDFCU cards look interesting. Do you need to be ex-military or govt employee to get one?

You can join a qualified organization if you are not a gov employee.  I think they have a list.  I joined Ameriçan Citizens Overseas or something like that.