Best cc to take to Germany this summer

[Tinkertude]

In doing prep research I saw suggestions to make sure my credit card did not charge a currency conversation fee. I think Chase had very good options, but I was concerned it might not be accepted as much as Visa or MasterCard. Any advise?

 

[DVC California]

On our trip to Europe last summer, we used Chase Sapphire Visa and had no problems. It normally has a $95 annual fee but is waived for the first year. No foreign transaction fees and very good bonus rewards.
https://creditcards.chase.com/a1/sa...ee5a4e0INT&jp_cmp=cc/388124/aff/3-10002559/na

We didn't go to Germany but the card worked well throughout the UK, Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.

FYI - regardless of what card you get, make sure it has a chip. I believe most of Europe uses "Chip and PIN" for cc transactions, while US is still "swipe and sign". Check out Rick Steves' site for good money info:
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money

HTH, Steve

 

[havaneselover]

Capital one quicksilver has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, and 1.5% back.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

We used the Capital One Venture card in Spain, France and Italy. It has no foreign transaction fee and no annual fee. Then again the rewards aren't great. I don't have the Chase Sapphire card but I've heard their rewards prgram is really good.
I wasn't looking for rewards; I like my SWA Chase visa.

 

[sheetz]

In doing prep research I saw suggestions to make sure my credit card did not charge a currency conversation fee. I think Chase had very good options, but I was concerned it might not be accepted as much as Visa or MasterCard. Any advise?

I'm confused. All of Chase's credit cards are either Visa or Mastercard.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

We got the Capitol One Quicksilver card specifically because it has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee, chip and pin enabled and gives 1.5% cash back. We haven't used it in Europe yet, but DH's family lives in Canada and it works great.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Just remember most US cards are not "true" chip and pin cards. Most of the cards issued with the chips aren't PIN cards. My USAA card is my only true chip and pin card, however travelling in seven European countries (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Scotland, England, and France) this past summer we had no issues using our other Chip cards. They might require your signature but again, we didn't have any issues. I brought our SWA Chase card and my USAA card. I used my SWA Chase card first (since they don't charge any foreign transaction fees) and never once was denied. I was prepared to whip out my USAA chip/pin card but never had to. At the time they were charging a 1% FTF but I think they have since done away with it but not positive.

As others mentioned, make sure you compare the foreign transaction fees if any of your cards charge them.

Have fun - I spent 10.5 years living in Germany so to me it's "where I grew up" as a military brat

Heather

 

[BLAZEY]

Also see if your bank has a reciprocal relationship with a bank there. When I went to the UK, I used my debit card to get cash from Barclay's ATM's as my bank (Scotia bank) is partnered with them through Global Alliance. It waves transaction fees between member banks.

 

[GAN]

I've been using the Capital Venture the last few times, when I originally got the card it was pretty much the best card out there ...sounds like others are starting to come around to the no fees.

I will mention this, if you're using a pin# don't choose anything beginning with a "0" ...France has been the only country I had the issue, and it was specifically with my ATM card not the CC but it is something to keep in the back of your mind.

 

[clh2]

We went to Berlin Germany a few years ago, and cash was king. Seriously...it was excepted in many more places than credit cards were.

 

[My3Princez]

We went to Berlin Germany a few years ago, and cash was king. Seriously...it was excepted in many more places than credit cards were.

I'll second that. My husband travels to Germany on business trips, and although he always takes his credit card, there are MANY places that do not accept credit cards, so he has to make sure he has cash. This is true in restaurants, shops, etc. So, yes, make sure you take a card with no foreign transaction fees, but also make sure you take CASH.
One other thing - notify your credit card company AND your bank (debit card for ATM cash) that you will be abroad so they don't deny your charges due to suspecting fraud.

 

[Sadie22]

My relative who traveled recently also reported restaurants and grocery stores which only accepted cash.

 

[Tinkertude]

Thanks to you all. You can always count on great advice on the Disboard