Credit Card Charge

[kountryguy1]

I made an internet purchase from the UK. I made the payment using my Chase Freedom credit card. The charge appeared on my transactions with a slightly different amount due to the conversion. However, the next day another charge appeared charging a 3% international transaction fee. I was not expecting that. Can anyone tell me if this is common, or is it card specific?

[Dennis M]

Card specific, but pretty common. Pays to check ahead of time.

[kountryguy1]

I found that out. I had no idea that there was such a charge. I also thought that I should have been informed of it at the time of the transaction, not the next day.

[SWharton]

It is probably documented in something you agreed to and didn't read when you got you credit card.

[Kirk W]

While the amount of the exchange fee is different for different cards, I don't know of any that do not charge that fee. Remember that there is a cost to the card issuer for that money exchange. The 3% is probably about average.

[Big Greg]

All cards will apply an exchange rate. Capitol One and Pen Fed do not add an extra fee for foreign use. Greg

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

There could be an import tax as well. Depending on the item, since you purchased it technically in another country, the item could be subjected to customs taxes/feees etc.

My better half also mentioned that if the package came USPS, it may have had an additional charge added for the difference in delivery rates. UK to USA

[RV_]

There are plenty of no country fee credit cards but you have to know what to look for. Here are five pages of CCs with no foreign transaction fees including all of them from USAA:

https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/no-foreign-transaction-fee/?v=3&utm_expid=55778207-2.S6KrrwWxT_CpvSFTtaaGjA.2&utm_referrer=http:%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DCredi%2Bcard%2Bcharges%2Bno%2Bcountry%2Btransaction%2Bfee%26src%3DIE-SearchBox%26FORM%3DIENTSR%26pc%3DEUPP_

 

All monies traded by credit or cash will be subject to whatever the exchange rate is at the time of it being posted to your account. But the extra fee can really take a toll on an extended trip.

[2gypsies]

Your card had a complete description of fees when you signed up. You probably didn't read it because it is usually lengthly. They wouldn't notify you at the time of transaction. That's something you should have been aware of....bet it won't be a surprise next time.

 

Our Visa doesn't have a foreign exchange charge and there are many out there that don't. If you're planning a trip to Alaska in the future, make sure you have a card that doesn't add this charge since you'd be going through Canada and the Yukon before Alaska.