Credit Cards

A credit card is a useful accessory on a trip. When traveling internationally, many places, such as small stores, attractions, and gas stations, do not accept "American" credit cards. It's something about the card reading system. European credit cards have a chip in them. Our card did not, so they couldn't always be read or the owners were nervous to take them, thus weren't accepted. Be prepared with cash on hand.

Check with your credit card company for their coverage and charges on the following items:
1. Does it cover rental car damage/theft/claim copay?
2. What are the fees/cost of international currency exchange?

*It is also a good idea to notify the company that you will be traveling, so they will not suspend use of the card when they see charges in areas other than your home local; especially if you plan to be traveling across state or national boundaries.

*Most Credit Cards are second insurance to your primary car insurance. They will pay the deductible that your primary insurance company charges. Some then become primary once you leave your country.

*There is also a limit of the car rental period they will cover. It ranges from a week to 30 days. Check with your company before reserving the car.

*Each card has some countries they will not cover car rental issues if you rent the car there. You can often return the car in those countries, just not rent from there. As with everything - Check First.

*Most credit cards require that you decline all coverage from the rental car company (though not liability coverage if the card doesn't offer it) ie: theft protection, damage, etc., or they won't cover damage. Check.

I have only had experience with a few credit card companies, but this is what I've found (again: I do not guarantee any info - make sure you check with your credit card even if listed, because policies change all the time. This information is from Sept. 2008):
Citibank Card: (Platinum)
Car rental: Doesn't cover liability. Becomes primary insurance outside of US. Covers up to 15 day rentals. This card covered the windshield damage to a rental car in Europe in 2008 without fuss, though it did take 8 weeks for them to finish processing the claim. We needed a note from our primary car insurance company to prove that they didn't extend coverage outside the United States.
International Currency Exchange: 3% Foreign Transaction Fee (charged at end of statement in one lump sum); Exchange rate taken from day of charge

American Express: (Gold)
Car rental: Doesn't cover liability. Becomes primary outside US. Covers up to 30 day rentals and $50,000 or less vehicle. Does not cover rentals in New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Ireland, Jamaica, Israel.
International Currency Exchange: 2% fee per transaction (included in each individual charge); Exchange rate taken from rate posted day of charge
*On the toll ways in France, American Express was the only "American" card accepted. Our MasterCard and Visa would not work. Due to the high cost of the tolls and the frequency we used the freeway system, having this card saved us from using all our cash.

Capital One: (Platinum)
Car rental: Doesn't cover liability. Becomes primary outside US. Does not cover any type of truck, recreation vehicles, motorcycles. Does not cover rentals in Ireland, Jamaica, Israel. Covers up to 15 day rentals in US, 31 day rentals outside US.
International Currency Exchange: No Transaction Fee; Exchange rate taken from day of charge - and rate for each charge is shown under transaction
*We could have saved $50 in Internation Finance Exchange fees if we had checked first and used this card for all purchases.