Hey guys, so my chase freedom unlimited card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. However, it also offers a 3% cash back for restaurants. Does that mean if I use my Chase unlimited card for dinners during my upcoming trip to Mexico, it affectively has a 0 foreign transaction fee?

Also, do you guys know if it’s cheaper to exchange for Mexican pesos at my local bank and then physically bring them over to Mexico vs using my credit card vs withdrawing Mexican pesos using my debit card at a local Mexican ATM?

Thanks!

On September 15, 2025, I made a $756.84 purchase through Expedia. The charge appeared normal, but I was then hit with a $92.97 foreign transaction fee.

I contacted Expedia, and they confirmed the transaction was processed entirely in USD — they say there was no foreign currency conversion or fee on their end.

Even if Chase did apply a standard 3% foreign transaction fee, that should have come out to around $22.70, not $92.97.

I should have used one of the zero foreign transaction fee cards. Oh well, but I thought I was being billed in USD.

New CSR member here!

Maybe I'm being too worried or pedantic, but in my welcome packet it says: "No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the US." But what about foreign transaction fees for foreign-currency purchases that I make while I'm inside the US?

For example, I might buy things in a foreign currency while I'm at home in the US (e.g. Airbnbs, tours, event tickets, etc). It seems ridiculous that it would matter whether I'm physically located inside or outside the US. But then why specify "purchases made outside the US"?

Got this card in college, only ever knew it as “Chase Sapphire”. Today, my friends texted in a group chat that there is “Preferred” and “Reserve”… and that Chase Sapphire doesn’t have foreign transaction fees.

Is my Chase card just a “Basic Bitch”?!?! I checked my statement and couldn’t find “Preferred” or “Reserve” anywhere, I also don’t pay a yearly card fee if that matters. Does that mean my card will accrue foreign transaction fees? Thank you all so much in advance!

Current American student living in Europe for a few months. I made the mistake of only having Discover and AMEX so I need something that is Visa or Mastercard. Also no foreign transaction fees would be nice, but I also want to start building into a points network (Chase, CapitalOne, etc.) as I plan to eventually max out rewards. No annual fee preferred but not required.

• Current cards: (list cards, limits, opening date)

  • Discover It $2,500 limit April 2024

  • AMEX Blue Cash Everyday $1,000 limit August 2024

• FICO Score: 734

• Oldest account age: 1 year 2 months

• Chase 5/24 status: 2/24

• Income: $15,000

• Average monthly spend and categories:

  • dining $750

  • groceries: $0

  • gas: $100

  • travel: $500

  • other: $50

• Open to Business Cards: No

• What's the purpose of your next card? No foreign transaction fees, paying for group dinners. I don't like annual fees though.

• Do you have any cards you've been looking at? Chase Sapphire Preferred (+ downgrade after a year?, pre-approved since I bank with Chase), CapitalOne Savor One

• Are you OK with category spending or do you want a general spending card? Okay with category spending