I'm a little behind in my podcast listening because of spending a couple weeks in Europe last month, so I just heard Pete's request for info about overseas credit card and currency transactions. A couple more thoughts on international travel if anyone is still thinking about this ...
I use a Capital One card when I travel abroad -- it's just about the only time I use it -- as they do not charge a foreign transaction fee, and they also eat the 1% Visa fee for foreign transactions. (It sounds like Chase Sapphire might do the same from previous comments, but I'm not sure about the details.) Capital One also has an international number on the back of the card that you can call collect if you have any trouble. You just identify yourself to the operator as a "Capital One customer" and the customer service line will accept the call charges. Very helpful if your card is stolen or simply declined.
Also, I tend to buy currency before I travel. I do use ATMs overseas, but sometimes I find it's easier to have it with you when you go. (And I avoid currency exchange windows like the plague.) For example, I was in the Czech Republic in April, and I knew I would be paying a car service and a private tour guide within a day of my arrival, using cash as the price for both would be lower if you were willing to pay in cash (i.e. the companies offered a discount for cash payments to avoid their own credit card surcharges). This was more cash than I could conveniently take out of an ATM in one day, so I bought ahead. I tend to buy my currency from Wells Fargo (online) as they generally have better rates than Forex when I'm checking and will ship for free if you spend a certain amount. Buyer beware, here, though. When I use my Capital One card, it is treated as a standard purchase with the transaction amount listed with my groceries, gas,
Disney Store purchases, etc. When I used a Chase card last year for currency for a trip to the UK, also through Wells Fargo and for roughly the same amount, the entire purchase was considered a "cash advance" by Chase, which meant (for my card anyway) that it immediately started racking up cash advance interest charges.
When you buy something abroad and are using a credit card, if given the choice to be charged in the foreign currency or U.S. dollars, always choose the foreign currency. Even if your credit card charges fees, they're unlikely to be as high as the ones charged by the store and its partners.
And, finally, while my Blackberry and cell phone would work overseas, I find the use charges to be ... unfriendly. I carry my laptop and tend to have positive feelings about staying in hotels with free internet (and occassionally I buy internet service if I have to do so). That said, I like having a cell phone for emergencies and convenience, especially when driving overseas. I bought an international cell phone that comes with a UK number, has relatively decent fees for calling home, and doesn't involve a contract or any fees for the rest of the year when the phone sits on my shelf at home. It connects to whatever network is local, which has been really reliable for me. And, unlike switching SIM cards in each new country with other phones, my phone number stays constant, so I can leave that number at home if someone needs to call me. Several companies sell these. I used Mobal, and have been happy with them.
Hope that helps somebody!
