Credit cards in the USA

[Battenburg Bob]

Just found out that Nationwide are to start charging for using a credit card in the USA. I'm off there soon and was wondering if anyone knew of a provider who doesn't charge for use over there.

[mcflurry]

Nationwide charge 1% outside of Europe and 0% in the eurozone - still cheaper than 99% of other cards.

AFAIK the Post Office still has USD loading at 0%

[Battenburg Bob]

Ideal, thanks!

[Nitro...]

Indeed, having just returned from Tokyo and the USA, Post Office don't have any loading charges on the Platinum card.

[Papoo]

How long are you there for? Chase will get you a card within a week, as will BofA.

The only thing with credit cards in the US, is that for automated services, like filling up with petrol, they often ask for a ZIP code, rather than signature/pin. Which, if you have a UK card... well, it won't work!

[Battenburg Bob]

Discovered that last year! Not too much of a pain to pay inside. I'm only there for two weeks, so I'll get the Post Office one.

[autoholic]

Papoo said:

How long are you there for? Chase will get you a card within a week, as will BofA.

The only thing with credit cards in the US, is that for automated services, like filling up with petrol, they often ask for a ZIP code, rather than signature/pin. Which, if you have a UK card... well, it won't work!

I use my Nationwide Flex Account Debit card in the US for petrol and have found that as long as I say it's a credit card I don't get asked for a zip code. However if I press the button for Debit card it asks for one. Not sure how this works but it does. And of course you get the bank exchange rate rather than the tourist one.