Which Credit card?

[Rodney]

[?]Has anyone looked into which is the best credit card to take to the US in terms of ease of use and particularly exchange rates/fees.

[?]Also, my son is a student and i wondered if he might get an even better deal on a card as they seem to offer special deals to students to hook em early on.
Any information would be welcomed.

Rodney

[amy]

The Nationwide has the best rates, no hidden extras in the small print for exchange rate purchases and also offers the business rate.

[brizzle]

Agreed, the Nationwide credit card gives you the best rate with no hidden transaction charges. Used it on my last trip and am very happy with it.

Brizzle.

[DarrenShort]

Most of the major credit cards are accepted in the US (mbna, capital one, barclaycard), but you must shop around to find out which gives the best exchange rate, and also find out if any charges apply for foreign transactions.

[christhear]

The only one we have found with no added charges for foreign transactions is the Nationwide Credit or Debit card. Off course if you use the debit card you have to have the funds in your bank account. Exchange rate given is generally what the bank quotes, not the lower tourist rate.

[adh619]

have done loads of research on this , nationwide is very competitve

[Nostromo]

My Lloyds TSB Black 'Premier' account card gives excellent rates too. When we went in April-May this year, I found that it was better than using MBNA or Capital One.

[Katys Grandad]

Nationwide seems to be the best credit card because it doesn't load a currency exchange charge. However, there is an interest charge on cash withdrawals on the card even if you pay it off in full and it has a 1.25% cash withdrawal charge. If you go for their Cash Reward card you get 0.5% cash back on all purchases. Don't get the card too far in advance of your trip because the cashback is 1% for the first 6 months.

You also need to look for a small charge made by virtually all the US banks for each withdrawal. You can save money by making 1 large withdrawal rather than a few smaller ones.

Other cards offering no exchange charge are Lombard, Liverpool Victoria and Saga. The latter 2 only waive the exchange rate charge in Europe so should be avoided for the US. You have to be over 50 to get a Saga card. Lombard's interest rate and fees are higher that Nationwide's.

The best option of all is the Nationwide debit card. Obviously you have to bank with them to have one of these but the charges on the credit card don't apply.

[blott]

I got a Nationwide cash reward credit card because it was recommended and it's been really great and saved me no end of US foreign currency exchange charges (2.75% on each purchase from my usual Barclaycard) plus, of course, the better exchange rate not to mention the 1% cash back. I'm well pleased with it.

[Magical Dreams]

We have used our Nationwide card in Orlando and found it to be excellant

We have also used our Lloyds TSB Debit Card and we have never had a charge on that either!!

Both as good in our estimation!!

Although things do tend to change over night!!

[msncool]