topic Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally in Credit Cards

Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:33:09 GMT

Heading over to London at the end of next month. Restaurant spending will likely be the bulk of our spend, and luckily, that's one of the 5% categories for Chase next quarter.... Since Freedom has a forex fee (3%) using it on resto purchases would still net roughly 2% cash back, right?

My only card without a foreign transaction fee right now is Cap1 Quicksilver with a measly limit (well below what we'd spend on 2-3 meals during our trip), so I was primarily going to use it for smaller purchases like coffee and other incidentals. Other option is an AMEX EveryDay or a Citi AA Platinum Select, but still have the foreign transaction fee there.

Can't wait to app for CSP later this year!

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:33:08 GMT

Here is a wild question for you. Do the merchant codes work overseas?

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:35:24 GMT

That's what I've been unable to fully deduce... I would *think* so and it seems that way. Read the Chase T&C's and can't find anything to contrary.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:39:07 GMT

Does your Freedom have a chip? I believe all of Western Europe is on the Chip and Pin/Signature system.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

lg8302ch — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:43:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
That's what I've been unable to fully deduce... I would *think* so and it seems that way. Read the Chase T&C's and can't find anything to contrary.

I was curious last year and did a test run with Discover and Freedom at the same gas station in Europe. While Discover perfectly worked for the 5% the charges on Freedom even showing gas station in the merchant code gave me 1% and subject to FTF. I have not tested any other category but thought of trying the grocery and see how that would do. I have tested Amex and can confirm that for sure does not work. It is US supermarkets only. If you have a card with no FTF I would recommend to use that one. I think any Cap1 card would do better without the rewards if you can forget the FTF.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:43:50 GMT

It doesn't, but I've never had an issue using non-chip cards at places like restaurants or actually merchants. Only times i've needed to use a chip card at vending-type machines: train stations, etc.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:45:06 GMT

@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
That's what I've been unable to fully deduce... I would *think* so and it seems that way. Read the Chase T&C's and can't find anything to contrary.
I was curious last year and did a test run with Discover and Freedom at the same gas station in Europe. While Discover perfectly worked for the 5% the charges on Freedom even showing gas station in the merchant code gave me 1% and subject to FTF. I have not tested any other category but thought of trying the grocery and see how that would do. I have tested Amex and can confirm that for sure does not work. It is US supermarkets only. If you have a card with no FTF I would recommend to use that one. I think any Cap1 card would do better without the rewards if you can forget the FTF.

Thanks. Only problem with that is that the Cap1 is new and has a relatively crummy credit limit compared to the amount of spending we'll likely do, so I'm going to end up paying some FTFs somewhere along the line.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

lg8302ch — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:45:40 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Does your Freedom have a chip? I believe all of Western Europe is on the Chip and Pin/Signature system.

This is correct but you can process all standard cards with the swipe / signature option. You just need to know where to enter the card when you want to swipe.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

lg8302ch — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:54:57 GMT

Which cards do you have?

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:00:01 GMT

@lg8302ch wrote:
Which cards do you have?

Chase Freedom, Amex EveryDay, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, Cap1 QS, Barclays Apple Rewards... Oh, and J.Crew and Amazon store cards!

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:04:06 GMT

@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
That's what I've been unable to fully deduce... I would *think* so and it seems that way. Read the Chase T&C's and can't find anything to contrary.
I was curious last year and did a test run with Discover and Freedom at the same gas station in Europe. While Discover perfectly worked for the 5% the charges on Freedom even showing gas station in the merchant code gave me 1% and subject to FTF. I have not tested any other category but thought of trying the grocery and see how that would do. I have tested Amex and can confirm that for sure does not work. It is US supermarkets only. If you have a card with no FTF I would recommend to use that one. I think any Cap1 card would do better without the rewards if you can forget the FTF.

Yes. Amex clearly states the US restriction. I've used Penfed Plat Rewards to get 3x on supermarkets abroad, so categories can work. Im surprised that Freedom failed the gas test though!

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

lg8302ch — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:12:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
That's what I've been unable to fully deduce... I would *think* so and it seems that way. Read the Chase T&C's and can't find anything to contrary.
I was curious last year and did a test run with Discover and Freedom at the same gas station in Europe. While Discover perfectly worked for the 5% the charges on Freedom even showing gas station in the merchant code gave me 1% and subject to FTF. I have not tested any other category but thought of trying the grocery and see how that would do. I have tested Amex and can confirm that for sure does not work. It is US supermarkets only. If you have a card with no FTF I would recommend to use that one. I think any Cap1 card would do better without the rewards if you can forget the FTF.
Yes. Amex clearly states the US restriction. I've used Penfed Plat Rewards to get 3x on supermarkets abroad, so categories can work. Im surprised that Freedom failed the gas test though!

You get me curious now and I will do the grocery test with Freedom tomorrow. Another test result was interesting. Placed orders with Amazon UK and Amazon Germany (not 3rd party sellers both Amazon) and the result was 1 has given me 5% the other 1% just forgot which one was the 5%. There I did not look if maybe one was classified as bookstore and the other not. I know Diners for example should also work for the categories.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

lg8302ch — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 21:35:44 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
Which cards do you have?
Chase Freedom, Amex EveryDay, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, Cap1 QS, Barclays Apple Rewards... Oh, and J.Crew and Amazon store cards!

Looks like only Cap1 QS is without the FTF. How long do you have this card? Long enough that you could try the CLI button online? Some lenders offer temporary CL for travel but I do not know if that is an option for Cap1. I hope that restaurants will work for you as this would be the best solution to still give you 2%.on Freedom. But make sure all charges in local currency. Never select USD if you have the choice at the payment terminals. Exchange rates are terrible and still subject to FTF even if in USD.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Mar 2015 13:16:58 GMT

@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
Which cards do you have?
Chase Freedom, Amex EveryDay, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, Cap1 QS, Barclays Apple Rewards... Oh, and J.Crew and Amazon store cards!
Looks like only Cap1 QS is without the FTF. How long do you have this card? Long enough that you could try the CLI button online? Some lenders offer temporary CL for travel but I do not know if that is an option for Cap1. I hope that restaurants will work for you as this would be the best solution to still give you 2%.on Freedom. But make sure all charges in local currency. Never select USD if you have the choice at the payment terminals. Exchange rates are terrible and still subject to FTF even if in USD.

Thanks, super helpful! The account was only opened on March 13, so when I say it's a baby, I mean it. I might give them a call about a week out and see what they can do though... If I emphasize that I'm going to be forced to use other cards because of the low CL, maybe they'll budge.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

lg8302ch — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 21:22:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Heading over to London at the end of next month. Restaurant spending will likely be the bulk of our spend, and luckily, that's one of the 5% categories for Chase next quarter.... Since Freedom has a forex fee (3%) using it on resto purchases would still net roughly 2% cash back, right?

My only card without a foreign transaction fee right now is Cap1 Quicksilver with a measly limit (well below what we'd spend on 2-3 meals during our trip), so I was primarily going to use it for smaller purchases like coffee and other incidentals. Other option is an AMEX EveryDay or a Citi AA Platinum Select, but still have the foreign transaction fee there.

Can't wait to app for CSP later this year!

Here is a small update on my results. LTL got me curious so I went ahead with a try in the grocery category as I just came back to Europe. While the gas station did not work ( maybe because it was not at the pump ) I can report positive results for groceries

So it looks very good for your restaurant spend on your trip ! Have a nice journey

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

longtime_lurker — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 21:45:48 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
Which cards do you have?
Chase Freedom, Amex EveryDay, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, Cap1 QS, Barclays Apple Rewards... Oh, and J.Crew and Amazon store cards!
Looks like only Cap1 QS is without the FTF. How long do you have this card? Long enough that you could try the CLI button online? Some lenders offer temporary CL for travel but I do not know if that is an option for Cap1. I hope that restaurants will work for you as this would be the best solution to still give you 2%.on Freedom. But make sure all charges in local currency. Never select USD if you have the choice at the payment terminals. Exchange rates are terrible and still subject to FTF even if in USD.
Thanks, super helpful! The account was only opened on March 13, so when I say it's a baby, I mean it. I might give them a call about a week out and see what they can do though... If I emphasize that I'm going to be forced to use other cards because of the low CL, maybe they'll budge.

I don't know how Cap1 w/ processing payments, but it would be a safer option to use QS, because you don't know what MCC these places you'll be shopping at will code as. That's my .02, and DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY follow the advice of other posters of having everything charged in local currency. Some places I went to would run the tranaction as USD (it's an awful conversion rate), and not present the local currency slip, or try to tell me (this was my favorite) that they can only process the transaction as USD. Many places will be forthcoming and offer both (especially chains and hotels, etc), but you will end up eating a lot of money if you have the merchant charge you in USD. If the merchant tries to pull a stunt, refuse to sign and call your bank as soon as the charge posts - it's against V/MC/Discover T&C's (I would assume AMEX as well, but unsure since I haven't used AMEX in Europe/overseas).

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 21:48:47 GMT

@longtime_lurker wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
Which cards do you have?
Chase Freedom, Amex EveryDay, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, Cap1 QS, Barclays Apple Rewards... Oh, and J.Crew and Amazon store cards!
Looks like only Cap1 QS is without the FTF. How long do you have this card? Long enough that you could try the CLI button online? Some lenders offer temporary CL for travel but I do not know if that is an option for Cap1. I hope that restaurants will work for you as this would be the best solution to still give you 2%.on Freedom. But make sure all charges in local currency. Never select USD if you have the choice at the payment terminals. Exchange rates are terrible and still subject to FTF even if in USD.
Thanks, super helpful! The account was only opened on March 13, so when I say it's a baby, I mean it. I might give them a call about a week out and see what they can do though... If I emphasize that I'm going to be forced to use other cards because of the low CL, maybe they'll budge.
I don't know how Cap1 w/ processing payments, but it would be a safer option to use QS, because you don't know what MCC these places you'll be shopping at will code as. That's my .02, and DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY follow the advice of other posters of having everything charged in local currency. Some places I went to would run the tranaction as USD (it's an awful conversion rate), and not present the local currency slip, or try to tell me (this was my favorite) that they can only process the transaction as USD. Many places will be forthcoming and offer both (especially chains and hotels, etc), but you will end up eating a lot of money if you have the merchant charge you in USD. If the merchant tries to pull a stunt, refuse to sign and call your bank as soon as the charge posts - it's against V/MC/Discover T&C's (I would assume AMEX as well, but unsure since I haven't used AMEX in Europe/overseas).

Amex doesn't support Dynamic Currency Conversion, so it is safe to use that.

Re cap1: not really, depends how lucky you feel. With the QS, you will get 1.5%, but if there is a good chance of 3 or 5%, and a worst case of 1%, I will take the chance.

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

lg8302ch — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 21:59:39 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Amex doesn't support Dynamic Currency Conversion, so it is safe to use that.

Re cap1: not really, depends how lucky you feel. With the QS, you will get 1.5%, but if there is a good chance of 3 or 5%, and a worst case of 1%, I will take the chance.

@LTL would you mind sharing how you get anything else but 1,5% on Cap1 QS? In my experience that was a solid figure on my QS. But as for the FTF cards with bonus categories I will probably do a little bit more gambling with Chase Freedom in these categories and pay FTF as I am a UR junkie ..lol.. getting 5 x UR points and pay 3% is getting an option for me. For above purchase if used with CSP I would have gotten the 1 x points and no FTF but look at the results I get for a small FTF. I am ready to maybe every once in a while pay Chase a small fee on these categories

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 22:09:52 GMT

@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Amex doesn't support Dynamic Currency Conversion, so it is safe to use that.

Re cap1: not really, depends how lucky you feel. With the QS, you will get 1.5%, but if there is a good chance of 3 or 5%, and a worst case of 1%, I will take the chance.
@LTL would you mind sharing how you get anything else but 1,5% on Cap1 QS? In my experience that was a solid figure on my QS. But as for the FTF cards with bonus categories I will probably do a little bit more gambling with Chase Freedom in these categories and pay FTF as I am a UR junkie ..lol.. getting 5 x UR points and pay 3% is getting an option for me. For above purchase if used with CSP I would have gotten the 1 x points and no FTF but look at the results I get for a small FTF. I am ready to maybe every once in a while pay Chase a small fee on these categories

I think we are saying the same thing, I was addressing my near-namesakes argument about using the QS. If you use the QS you will get 1.5% all the time. If you "take a chance" on using a category card (I was thinking on those without a FTF) you stand a good chance of getting 5 or 3% etc, with a worst case of 1%, so if you feel reasonably certain, it makes sense to use the category card.

Less sure about FTF cards such as the freedom though, because with a FTF, if you get 1%, with the FTF it becomes negative, so LT_Ls argument for QS is more compelling

Re: Using Chase Freedom Internationally

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 22:22:14 GMT

@lg8302ch wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Heading over to London at the end of next month. Restaurant spending will likely be the bulk of our spend, and luckily, that's one of the 5% categories for Chase next quarter.... Since Freedom has a forex fee (3%) using it on resto purchases would still net roughly 2% cash back, right?

My only card without a foreign transaction fee right now is Cap1 Quicksilver with a measly limit (well below what we'd spend on 2-3 meals during our trip), so I was primarily going to use it for smaller purchases like coffee and other incidentals. Other option is an AMEX EveryDay or a Citi AA Platinum Select, but still have the foreign transaction fee there.

Can't wait to app for CSP later this year!
Here is a small update on my results. LTL got me curious so I went ahead with a try in the grocery category as I just came back to Europe. While the gas station did not work ( maybe because it was not at the pump ) I can report positive results for groceries

So it looks very good for your restaurant spend on your trip ! Have a nice journey

Interesting! Definitely will use Freedom for restaurants then. I wrote the Cap1 EO this weekend and got a call from them today to chat about a CLI on that card before I go. Didn't get a chance to call them back today, but hopefully tomorrow I can report back some favorable news!

(Also, in years of traveling internationally, I've never had a merchant offer to make a charge in USD... They've only ever been processed in the local currency, didn't know that was even a thing.)