More Credit Cards Going No Fees Overseas

A nationally recognized reporter, writer, and consumer advocate, Ed Perkins focuses on how travelers can find the best deals and avoid scams.

He is the author of "Online Travel" (2000) and "Business Travel: When It's Your Money" (2004), the first step-by-step guide specifically written for small business and self-employed professional travelers. He was also the co-author of the annual "Best Travel Deals" series from Consumers Union.

Perkins' advice for business travelers is featured on MyBusinessTravel.com, a website devoted to helping small business and self-employed professional travelers find the best value for their travel dollars.

Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998. He has also written for Business Traveller magazine (London).

Perkins' travel expertise has led to frequent television appearances, including ABC's "Good Morning America" and "This Week with David Brinkley," "The CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," CNN, and numerous local TV and radio stations.

Before editing Consumer Reports Travel Letter, Perkins spent 25 years in travel research and consulting with assignments ranging from national tourism development strategies to the design of computer-based tourism models.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Perkins lives in Ashland, Oregon with his wife.

See recent posts by Ed Perkins

Bank of America is the latest credit card company to stop tacking a 2 percent fee onto purchases made outside the U.S. It’s pushing new credit cards featuring a combination of above-average cash rewards with no foreign transaction fees:

BankAmericard Travel Rewards and WorldPoints Travel Rewards award one and a half points per dollar charged to the card, with no annual fee.
BankAmericard Privileges card awards two points per dollar charged to the card, with a $75 annual fee. Points are worth one cent each. Various bonuses are also offered, along with some qualifications. Check with Bank of America for more details.

Several other major banks are currently featuring no foreign-purchase fees and downplaying airline miles in favor of increasing cash-back offers. Clearly, the banks have heard the complaints from frequent flyers that they can pile up the miles easily but find seats almost impossible to get. These new cards may also be, in part, a competitive response to the Capital One cards with no foreign surcharges and good cash-back rates.

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