question for Canadians: credit cards

[rh71]

Discover Card seems to be the only card that doesn't charge a 2-3% foreign transaction fee. But how many retailers and restaurants actually accept it?

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Discover Card seems to be the only card that doesn't charge a 2-3% foreign transaction fee. But how many retailers and restaurants actually accept it?

Don't think too many. Capital One used to not charge a FTF. Last knowledge I had on that was just over a year ago. Don't think they've changed it. We don't even have Discover up here so you'd be limited to tourist places catering to Us travelers and even then good luck.

 

[ponyo]

Capital One doesn't charge foreign transaction on their credit cards. That's the only reason I have a Capital One Visa.

 

[Rumpltzer]

Not true about foreign transaction fees.

Capital One cards have no fee. Chase Sapphire Preferred has no fee. Whatever Bank of America card that took over my precious Charles Schwab VISA has no foreign fee.

That's just what I have in my collection. Google "no foreign fee credit card" for a more complete list.

 

[eldorado99]

Very very few. I would say the vast majority of places are Visa/Mastercard/Cash/Debit only.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Not true about foreign transaction fees.

Capital One cards have no fee. Chase Sapphire Preferred has no fee. Whatever Bank of America card that took over my precious Charles Schwab VISA has no foreign fee.

That's just what I have in my collection. Google "no foreign fee credit card" for a more complete list.

Glad the rest are evolving. Capital One used to be alone in that back when I was managing their customer service escalation center.

 

[rh71]

Just great. I hate cash.

Even if I started this thread 2 weeks ago I don't think I would've applied to Capital One just for this. I just called Amex Blue & Corporate, Chase Freedom, and Citicard and all have the fee.

 

[Pantoot]

If you are in need of another suggestion, put the British Airways Visa on the list of cards that don't have a FTF.

 

[Fritzo]

This clip pretty much sums up everything about Discover:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p06h47glDKc

 

[ponyo]

Just great. I hate cash.

Even if I started this thread 2 weeks ago I don't think I would've applied to Capital One just for this. I just called Amex Blue & Corporate, Chase Freedom, and Citicard and all have the fee.

Why not? I keep my Capital One card in my spare wallet I carry for international travel. It's the only time I use it. The card has no annual fee unlike some other cards mentioned in this thread.

Amex, Chase, and Citi have some of the highest FTF of any issuers. Those are the cards you least want to use outside of the US.

 

[dennilfloss]

I've never noticed such fees on my BMO MasterCard when I order stuff from the US.

 

[nickbits]

Most likely if they don't blatantly charge a fee, they give you a shit exchange rate. I don't think I've seen anyplace in Canada take discover but I never looked that closely. Also many places with low margins or small transactions do not take any credit cards, at least when I lived there.

 

[darkxshade]

Another reason why Canada should simply just allow the US to claim sovereignty over its lands.

 

[mmntech]

As someone who worked in the travel industry (car rental), I don't think I've ever seen a Discover Card. I know for sure we didn't accept them. Just Visa, Master Card, and Amex.

 

[Cookie]

Another reason why Canada should simply just allow the US to claim sovereignty over its lands.

If only your government and politicians weren't so psychotic.

 

[RossMAN]

Just great. I hate cash.

Even if I started this thread 2 weeks ago I don't think I would've applied to Capital One just for this. I just called Amex Blue & Corporate, Chase Freedom, and Citicard and all have the fee.

IIRC Chase British Airways does NOT charge foreign transaction fees and I received 100,000 miles for signing up, however there is a $95 annual fee.

My wife and I plan on using our combined 200k miles for several AA partner airline flights to Hawaii.

 

[PricklyPete]

Discover Card seems to be the only card that doesn't charge a 2-3% foreign transaction fee. But how many retailers and restaurants actually accept it?

My Visa does not charge a foreign transaction fee (Marriott Premier). You just need to find a card that doesn't charge a transaction fee.

 

[RossMAN]

Courtesy of Google.com and 5 seconds of boredom:

http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/top-credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee-credit-card/

 

[Sid59]

just came back from 5 days in Vancouver, thank goodness i soley used my Capital One card.

 

[sdifox]

None of my CCs have FTF :shrug:

shitty exchange, sure, but no FTF.

 

[Scouzer]

None of my CCs have FTF :shrug:

shitty exchange, sure, but no FTF.

You should read the fine print closely. 99% of Canadian credit cards charge a hidden 1.8%-2.5% FOREX fee. You won't see the fees on your statement--they tack it on to the exchange rate that shows on your statement. The exchange rate you get is after the 2.5% FOREX fee.

 

[sdifox]

You should read the fine print closely. 99% of Canadian credit cards charge a hidden 1.8%-2.5% FOREX fee. You won't see the fees on your statement--they tack it on to the exchange rate that shows on your statement. The exchange rate you get is after the 2.5% FOREX fee.

That might explain the shitty exchange

 

[MomentsofSanity]

That might explain the shitty exchange

The real shitty thing on the exchange is the different rates up and down. I was in Barbados and some dumbass screwed up my charge, and it was a big charge. They put in the credit and ran it the right way. When I got my bill I lost a fortune between the purchase cost and the credit returned after the exchange.

 

[actuarial]

Most likely if they don't blatantly charge a fee, they give you a shit exchange rate. I don't think I've seen anyplace in Canada take discover but I never looked that closely. Also many places with low margins or small transactions do not take any credit cards, at least when I lived there.

Most places take credit card now, even many kiosks and things like that. That's not to say every card is accepted everywhere (Tim's only takes MC), and a lot less places take Amex from what I can tell. I don't have an Amex card though so it may just be a case of not noticing something I don't care about.

I use my credit card for every purchase possible, and the only place I can think of that it's not accepted is the Taco Bell at the mall (and outdoor food stands).

I think I vaguely remember seeing Discover card signs on gas pumps though.

 

[SandEagle]

i travel to canada often and almost no place accepts discover. especially gas stations. its a pain since i dont have visa or mc anymore. luckily amex is accepted in lots of places