Did you know the CITI/Costco VISA credit card eliminated the 3% foreign transaction fee? Also, it includes 3% cash back rewards for restaurants and eligible travel expenses. I use a combination of a no foreign transaction fee credit card, this one now, to settle my accommodations bill and with “excess” pesos. This change is welcomed by me. Note: I always keep enough pesos from a trip to get by for a day or so until I hop over to an ATM..no need to pay extra by ordering pesos from a local bank or use the ATMs at the airport.
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MikeNEverett_WA
Everett, Washington
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1. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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Good to know.
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careyeroslib
Puerto Vallarta...
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2. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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Do you actually get the cash price when you check out at CostcoMexico? Not doubting you because I realize Citi owns Banamex (the financial backer of the Costco Mexico credit card) so it is possible.
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sagecrest
whitefish
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3. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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@ careyeroslib: Never shopped at Costco in PuertoVallarta, so can't and didn't speak as to the prices at check-out.
Cash back earned this way: //www.citi.com/credit-cards/credit-card-details/citi.action?ID=Citi-costco-anywhere-visa-credit-card.
"Cash back is provided annually as a credit card reward certificate redeemable for cash back or merchandise at U.S. Costco Warehouses, including those in Puerto Rico. The certificate will be included in your February billing statement and expires on December 31st of the year issued."
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BigB927
Chicago, Illinois
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4. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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It sounds like a lot of credit cards are beginning to eliminate foreign transaction fees, I think it helps appeal to a clientele that travels a bit more. We have a Costco membership card but shy away from their credit card since our Visa is accepted there and get the 3% on almost everything now with out card. That 3% adds up quick and usually helps finance a trip for our family every year.
If your in PV for more than a week, Costco in PV is always a good stop. Fill up with whatever you need for a trip in a single costco run!
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bflobear11
Buffalo, New York
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5. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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I remember reading that more than half US cards no longer carry an internatiinal transaction fee. I have found that my Delta affiliated Amex card that earns reward miles offeres the best value reward. We pair our earned miles (we charge just about everything) with searching forairfare deals and have flown to PV in first class a couple of times for free or very cheap. Better value than those prepaid cards we used to get in the mail everytime we spent a certain amount. The card carries a $100 yearly fee, but you can easily make that back by perks like free luggage.
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playaguya
Traverse City...
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6. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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"...or use the atms at the airport." Just curious - What don't you like about the airport machines?
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Vincent A
Regina, Canada
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7. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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As far as I know my TD bank card does not charge a foreign transaction fee either.
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sagecrest
whitefish
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8. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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If you arrive without pesos in hand, just use the bank ATMs at the airport. Easy. For the many regulars posting in this forum, surely they keep some pesos from their last trip and skip right past the machines. :)
As for theairlines and related mileage games, I’ve re-trenched to going for cash given the difficulty of gaining mileage tickets.
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bflobear11
Buffalo, New York
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9. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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#8: using mile rewards. It all depends on how you fly. We gave up on American when they kept restricting their use and value, and stopped seeking mileage rewards. They became a lousy deal.
We now have the luxury of often traveling when we can find a deal, not being locked into specific weekends or holidays. We have had great luck with Delta, but you have to watch for deals, be willing to fly mid-week, in shoulder season, etc. Most allflights can be purchased with miles (or a combo of miles & cash), but just like purchasing seats with cash, fares vary widely.
I might feel differently if my travel was often during peak periods, on short notice, or on busy routes. Our experience with Delta, is that mile rewards are a crazy as the rest of airline pricing....don't assume anything....we've sometimes seen prices in miles for first cabin seats cheaper than coach. There are deals if you are willing to invest the time to finding them.
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Sean
Merida, Mexico
Destination Expert
for Merida, Yucatan Peninsula
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10. Re: Zero foreign transaction fee credit card -Costco
4 years ago
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I have the Citi Costco Visa but only use it for shopping at Costco. For travel I use my Citi Prestige wich gives 2x at restaurants, 3x onairfare and hotel - best of all I get entrance to airport lounges!