inbox788 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2018 4:17 pm
A few issues regarding occasional overseas travel:
1) FYI:
You can soon wave goodbye to the card’s 3% foreign transaction fee. Citi notes the change will be effective on purchases made after Jan. 25, 2018.
https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit- ... ction-fee/
I have avoided using the Costco Citi card while traveling abroad, but it might become my preferred card now. Are there any other 2018 changes to the card, either good or bad?
I hadn't heard about this, thanks for posting. I had left my Costco VISA card at home for this reason in my trips last year.
I used the Chase Sapphire Reserve instead. That's because the CSR gives 3 points per dollar on restaurants and travel, including hotels, which is a big part of my travel spending. I just realized Costco visa does the same - 3% on restaurant and travel purchases. The only thing is that the Citi Costco VISA rewards can only be redeemed at Costco, while Chase offers many more options.
That said, I have been using the Citi Costo visa quite a bit lately on big ticket items purchased in the US because of the 24 months warranty extension. The price rewind site is also very easy to use for price matching. Chase is lagging behind in this way.
2) Schwab is always mentioned as the best ATM card that reimburses any fees. I have Citigold which is supposed to be similar. Anyone have Citigold and experienced ATM fees or reimbursements, and have good or bad experiences? I don't want to add a Schwab account just for this. I already have a Fidelity account, but reports are mixed and uncertain about the fees charged.
viewtopic.php?t=207446
Fidelity Cash visa debit card is fine for foreign use. This is what we have used for years. They don't charge ATM fees and refund other's ATM fees the next day.
Be aware that T-mobile does not have any data coverage in some countries, for example, Vietnam, which we visit frequently. There is not even an option to pay roaming fees : your only choice is to change SIM card when you get there. And texts are $0.50 and $5.99/minute for calls in that country. This has greatly reduced the value of the T-mobile "international" coverage for us.
Looks like Sprint has data coverage in Vietnam as part of their "featured destinations". Not sure if our phones are compatible with their network, though. Will take a look. Would be happy to get rid of T-mobile as their signal does not penetrate our house. They gave us a free cell booster (really, in-home cell tower) that works off Internet . But Comcast is down a lot in our area too , and when it is, we have no cell signal. Not even to call Comcast to tell them cable is down. Have to go outdoors to make the call.