I've read the various threads about transaction fees and exchange rates for ATM cards and credit cards used in Europe. I'm willing to open a new credit card for my upcoming trip, if needed. What's the LOWEST-fee "regular" credit card that anyone has found? (I don't belong to a credit union or have a brokerage account or anything like that.)

As stated in numerous threads, Capital One, USAA and credit union cards are the best for not charging the additional 2% conversion fee. Capital One doesn't charge an annual fee, and I'll bet USAA doesn't either.

The interest rate you get will depend on your credit rating and what promotions are being held. Shop around, but start with Capital One and USAA.

Thanks, you're right. I already have a USAA credit card, and now I'm also opening a checking account because the ATM withdrawls from Europe are also only 1%. I'm so glad I found out about all this on this board...using my existing ATM card was going to be VERY expensive.

USAA credit card is a good way to go, but IMHO the ATM card is even better for getting foreign currency. If you are eligible for a USAA bank account and related ATM card, you can get up to 10 ATM transactions a month against your checking account free of charge, with no extra conversion fees (except what is already built into the exchange rate, of course), or foreign ATM fees.

I have to step back once in a while when I start saying, "What? A 3% fee instead of 2%. That is outrageous." Well, that 1% is $50 on $5,000, when I figured that out I gave up worrying about wasting my time to find a card or way to save 1%. Maybe I travel cheaply, but I've (2 of us) have never even come close to spending $5,000 on a vacation (excluding air tickets) so the difference in fees charged is not a significant problem. Also, ATM charges - I would get the maximum each time so I didn't have to keep running out to get more cash - again probably less that $50 in fees. I do not like to waste money on fees but I'd rather spend the time on finding where to stay, what to see, how to say "Where's the loo?"

Ya know, I'm against paying any fees that I don't need to. The Capital One credit card assesses NO fees for overseas use, not even the 1% charge most Visa cards have, so I've applied for one. I've been a USAA member for decades, and have decided to switch my checking and savings accounts to them (I hate B of A anyway) and take advantage of their ATM card, which also assesses no fees, even if you're using another bank's machines. None of this is costing me any money (just a bit of time, which I have). Not worth the hassle for a lot of folks, but it is to me.

If you are in the market for a new checking account or credit card, by all means get one with low/no international fees. But the best bank or credit card for a week or two in Europe may not be best for the other 50 weeks. I look at all the factors, of which the foreign transaction fee is one, but so are annual fees, interest rate, rebates or miles offered, ease of web transactions, ATMs convenient to home and work, overall customer service, to be sure that saving $20 in one area will not cost me more in others.

I wish the fact that my son is in the military qualified me for a USAA acct!

Yep, Kayd, I checked all that out, and USAA is a winner. (Thanks, Dad!).