More Options in the Pursuit of Avoiding the Foreign Currency Fee

I've got my USAA MasterCard - Back when life was simple, that's all I thought I'd ever need.

Last week I was happy to brag that I found a new Credit Card that not only did not charge foreign currency transaction fees, but also gave you 2% cash back.

Well there's at least a third credit card that doesn't charge the fees. It's an HSBC Premier World MasterCard. The bad news- I've hear horror stories about HSBC and I don't see any other benefits in owning the card.

But I am on a crusade against this fee, and I'm really looking for a card with no hassles that allows me to buy things in Poland, the same way I buy them in the U.S. - without being penalized for it.

And by the way - AAA used to offer a Visa with no foreign currency transaction fees, but apparently starting 1 June 2009, they are going to start 2%. The search continues...

UPDATE: Apparently you have to maintain a $100,000 balance with HSBC to keep the premier status. Pass on this card after all - it's a dog.