Best U.S. Credit Cards to take travelling

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lordmesron
lordmesron

I understand this is a rather broad based question, but in your humble educated opinion, what are the best U.S. credit cards(s) to have on you when travelling internationally? I am talking broadly here: VISA, Master Card, American Express, Discover Card, Diners Club, etc. Not specific banks or affiliations. This is mainly about acceptence

While I have not really been outside of North America and the Carribean in the last decade or two, I did some travel in Europe and Asia prior to that. I would like to do some more in the future to those areas, and other parts of the world. That said, when I did that travel back then I remember seeing mainly signs for VISA and AMEX. Not too much for Master Card or others. How have things changed in the last 20 years in your experiences from travelling the world? Are some more prevalent in some regions than others? Is there one that is almost always accepted worldwide?

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tempelton
tempelton

For Europe I say Visa and Master Card, also both worked fine in Namibia, Visa was better for ATM's there.

Europe is not as much a cc continent as the US, most hotels and better restaurants will accept them, but in stores you should check before you buy anything, small restaurants, small stores and B&B's often don't take credit cards.

In Europe for paying in stores the EC card is accepted, but you get one with your bank account, so that's no good for you.

So far the combination of Visa, MC has worked for me all over Europe, Jordan, Morrocco, US,
have not been to Asia or south America so can't help there.

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tryfan
tryfan

Make sure have both a Visa and Mastercard.

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go_2
go_2

VISA has worked well for me everywhere I've been. That's included China and Pakistan, Syria and Sudan....

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kaz
kaz

Visa is by far the best for Africa.

If you pay with a credit card in Europe, they sometimes ask if you'd prefer to be charged in your own currency - don't do this, it might seem more convenient, but they use a rotten exchange rate and it will cost you a fair bit more than if the charge was made in the local currency.

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marichel1981
marichel1981

Capital One Visa. No fees. good exchange rate.

In Madrid I stopped for lunch and only when I came to pay did they say no cc's. I said ..can I go back to my room and get some cash. No problem. Went back and paid. He could have made me wash dishes I suppose.

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travelinstyle46
travelinstyle46

Visa and Mastercard are as universal as it's going to get. But you better find out about which specific cards are the best to carry as a traveller. There are large differences in the fees and exchange loading between cards. Pick the wrong bank and wrong card and you can be paying an extra 4.5% when you use your card when travelling.

Read here: http://www.cardhub.com/edu/currency-exchange-guide/

Then look here: http://www.cardhub.com/credit-cards/foreign-transaction-fee/

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misterbee
misterbee

I've had both Visa and MasterCard, and found Visa to be more widely accepted. In Japan, I had to do some searching to find an ATM that would accept MasterCard.

Here's my bus and transportation information: https://belizebus.wordpress.com
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anjingkampung
anjingkampung

I've a Capital One Venture Rewards. Great card, and great exchange rates and no fees.

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