I love credit cards so much! v6.0 - 2023 & 2024 (see first page for add'l details)

[hsmamato2]

So again appealing to those of you in the know.... foreign cc or atm fees- what do I need to know? I can bring my CSR to use bc it has no foreign transaction fees right? (also the CSP doesn't?) but I'm planning on getting some local cash at the airport atm- would I use my cc for that, or do I need to open a bank acct that will give me a debit card with no fees?

 

[iujen94]

Hmmm, I was on my 15th day when I noticed it yesterday. Thank you for finding that. I tried searching and wasn’t coming up with an answer from this year. That’s frustrating, but if I can still change if I call, that’s doable. I wonder why it goes away?

I wonder if SW did some housecleaning … I had changes/red banners on 3 upcoming flights, and those red banners had stuck around for MONTHS (I know because it irritated me because it made checking for price drops a pain). All 3 red banners disappeared the other day.

 

[iujen94]

So again appealing to those of you in the know.... foreign cc or atm fees- what do I need to know? I can bring my CSR to use bc it has no foreign transaction fees right? (also the CSP doesn't?) but I'm planning on getting some local cash at the airport atm- would I use my cc for that, or do I need to open a bank acct that will give me a debit card with no fees?

Correct on the CSR and no foreign transaction fees. For cash, I got the Schwab debit card that Frequent Miler talks about in this article. They refund ALL ATM fees including overseas. Just used it on our Europe cruise last month, and it was great. https://frequentmiler.com/dont-exch...r-checking-account-is-every-travelers-friend/

 

[jenmsmith]

I wonder if SW did some housecleaning … I had changes/red banners on 3 upcoming flights, and those red banners had stuck around for MONTHS (I know because it irritated me because it made checking for price drops a pain). All 3 red banners disappeared the other day.

Yeah. They must have had some update. I still have several free change banners that are active. The common denominator of those is that I did change them from the original flight. Anything I didn't change now looks normal. I'm glad I did receive the change emails (I don't always) so I can reference those.

 

[hsmamato2]

Correct on the CSR and no foreign transaction fees. For cash, I got the Schwab debit card that Frequent Miler talks about in this article. They refund ALL ATM fees including overseas. Just used it on our Europe cruise last month, and it was great. https://frequentmiler.com/dont-exch...r-checking-account-is-every-travelers-friend/

thanks!

 

[GZanta77]

So again appealing to those of you in the know.... foreign cc or atm fees- what do I need to know? I can bring my CSR to use bc it has no foreign transaction fees right? (also the CSP doesn't?) but I'm planning on getting some local cash at the airport atm- would I use my cc for that, or do I need to open a bank acct that will give me a debit card with no fees?

I see @iujen94 answered your question, but just wanted to post a reminder here for those who may not know......

When you use a credit card overseas (and sometimes when withdrawing cash at the ATM) you may be presented with an option to pay in local currency OR pay in USD. If you opt to pay in USD, they will convert local to USD before sending the information to your bank, but the exchange rate they use will not be good. You are always better off to pay in local currency and have your bank/cc do the conversion when they receive the transaction as that will be a more favorable rate.

 

[hsmamato2]

I see @iujen94 answered your question, but just wanted to post a reminder here for those who may not know......

When you use a credit card overseas (and sometimes when withdrawing cash at the ATM) you may be presented with an option to pay in local currency OR pay in USD. If you opt to pay in USD, they will convert local to USD before sending the information to your bank, but the exchange rate they use will not be good. You are always better off to pay in local currency and have your bank/cc do the conversion when they receive the transaction as that will be a more favorable rate.

Yes I read that in the linked article- good to know! But I'm guessing I shouldn't use a cc to get cash from an atm,as it'll code as a cash advance,right? Or can I? I see it's simple enough to get a schwab acct and debit card

 

[Judique]

These are my values for each of those, yours may be different:
UR: .015
IHG: .005
Hilton: .007

So 5x IHG (5x.005)=.025 or 2.5% back versus 3x UR (3x.015)=.045 or 4.5% back ---> put it on the UR earning card

10x Hilton (10x.007)= .07 or 7% back versus 3x UR (3x.015)=.045 or 4.5% back ---> put it on the Hilton

So that's the math of it, if all things are equal, meaning, you would use any of these points, ie you are point agnostic. If however, you would only use UR, for example, just make it simple and use the UR earning card.

My IHG value is .005 also. The one caveat is if I put the spend on the IHG card I actually get more IHG points. If I put it on a UR earning card I never want to use those UR's to do anything IHG. Either way it's going to be a value reduction when it comes time to stay IHG.

I am a fan of some IHG properties and use them occasionally. They've priced me out in a couple of spots due to the point inflation.

 

[afan]

So again appealing to those of you in the know.... foreign cc or atm fees- what do I need to know? I can bring my CSR to use bc it has no foreign transaction fees right? (also the CSP doesn't?) but I'm planning on getting some local cash at the airport atm- would I use my cc for that, or do I need to open a bank acct that will give me a debit card with no fees?

Also check what your own bank does. My credit union refunds a certain amount of ATM fees each month and doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

Saving money on that stuff is great, but if you aren't traveling internationally multiple times a year it may not be worth the hassle of opening a new account depending on what your own bank does.

 

[georgina]

My PNC checking account reimburses foreign ATM fees also. I'm not sure if it works for all of their accounts or just the higher ones like 'performance' designation.

 

[GZanta77]

Yes I read that in the linked article- good to know! But I'm guessing I shouldn't use a cc to get cash from an atm,as it'll code as a cash advance,right? Or can I? I see it's simple enough to get a schwab acct and debit card

Yes - it will code as cash so using an ATM to get cash on a CC is for emergency purposes only.

And to echo what @afan posted above - Schwab may not be your only option - I have a local account here in MA that refunds all ATM fees worldwide.

 

[DogCat]

nvm I figured it out lol

 

[DogCat]

I wanted to report that we successfully used our Hilton Gift Cards to pay for meals and snacks charged to our room. The room was free on FNCs. Now I am about to order more gift cards for Q3 but I thought I should check in here to see if anyone has heard of any changes to getting the credits for online orders.

 

[Judique]

I wanted to report that we successfully used our Hilton Gift Cards to pay for meals and snacks charged to our room. The room was free on FNCs. Now I am about to order more gift cards for Q3 but I thought I should check in here to see if anyone has heard of any changes to getting the credits for online orders.

Thanks for the reminder! I need to order my gift card and book a night before my FNC expires.

 

[mmmears]

So again appealing to those of you in the know.... foreign cc or atm fees- what do I need to know? I can bring my CSR to use bc it has no foreign transaction fees right? (also the CSP doesn't?) but I'm planning on getting some local cash at the airport atm- would I use my cc for that, or do I need to open a bank acct that will give me a debit card with no fees?

Yes, the CSR is a good, solid travel card. For an ATM, if you have a Fidelity account you can get a fee free ATM card from them. I'd check whoever you bank/invest with and see what they have.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I think DH and I have accumulated too many Biz Plats that we haven't cancelled over the last 3 years out of fear of retribution from Amex. I feel like I'm always spending $95 worth of AF per card after the credits we're able to use.

Anyway, I think I'm going to close some that just had the AFs hit as soon as use up Dell credits. Would you close the older ones or more recent ones? I was wondering what Amex would dislike least. I feel like they like it when you keep a card open over a year

 

[elgerber]

I have been a little out of touch all week. Do we think the support links will update to the 120000 offer?

We have been camping for 6 days and need to pack up but it’s been pouring for the last 90 minutes. This will be fun once it stops

 

[KPK02090]

Yes - it will code as cash so using an ATM to get cash on a CC is for emergency purposes only.

And to echo what @afan posted above - Schwab may not be your only option - I have a local account here in MA that refunds all ATM fees worldwide.

@GZanta77 mind sharing what bank that is?

 

[becauseimnew]

thanks!

Just a reminder always charge in local currency, never select USD you’ll get a better exchange rate.

 

[hsmamato2]

I wanted to report that we successfully used our Hilton Gift Cards to pay for meals and snacks charged to our room. The room was free on FNCs. Now I am about to order more gift cards for Q3 but I thought I should check in here to see if anyone has heard of any changes to getting the credits for online orders.

I just ordered mine gotta check for the credit- Hope they let me use this to pay for a room next month.....wwyd? (anyone here) Take a chance they'll let me use the gc and book a cash rate, or just book on points?