I was really disappointed during my last trip to Panama when I went to the ATM machine to withdraw $500 and discovered there would be a $5 fee. Fuck! ATM use in Panama has always been free. Now times have changed and once again I am annoyed.

In addition, I periodically use my frequent flier credit cards to pay hotel and rental car. Last trip both cards worked just fine with no foreign transaction fees.

However, a few months ago I received a note from my credit card company. I normally do not read their regular mailbox spam, but this note caught my attention. To my disappointment my credit cards were going to start charging foreign transaction fees for all foreign locations, regardless if US currency is the legal tender for that country. Although the fees are relatively small at 2 and 3%, this runs against my grain. Fuck!

I hate paying banking or credit card fees. I pride my financial prowess on the ability to avoid fees and interest. If any interest is going to be made, it will be paid to me. Well, at least that is my goal.

I did some research and found that Charles Schwab Bank has a pretty good High Yield Investor checking account that provides a Visa debit card that reimburses all ATM fees worldwide at the end of every month.

In addition, if you apply for a Schwab Visa credit card you will earn 2% cash back on all purchases in addition to no foreign transaction fees.

Within another discussion group someone mentioned Capitol One offers a similar set-up.

Anybody know of any other no fee, no cost, no surprise credit, debit and ATM card offers from banks, credit union and/or brokerages?

It pays to shop around to find a good plastic deal.

AJ