Yet another reason to love Canada

Hi,
The Canadian banking system rocks... But it is a secret, so don't tell anyone.

While shopping in India a couple of months ago, not only did my US VISA card get declined because I hadn't notified them of our travel plans (at least the shop owners knew enough to call VISA, have me identify myself, and get the transaction to go through) but when I got the bill a month later there was a 3% 'up charge' for all purchases made outside the USA. Holy crap Batman, that starts to add up quickly. I was able to call VISA, bitch, and get the charge reversed this one time. Fine, but what happens when I leave the USA and have to use a credit card to pay for a hotel, food, travel, chachkas? Time to shop around for a different card.

VISA said it was a Wells Fargo charge that they had no control over. Wells Fargo said its a VISA thing they have no control over. They both give me a headache. Marshall's credit union that he banks with only charges  a 1% up charge for purchases outside the USA. Better, but still annoying. I call my bank manager in Canada. Silvana knows everything. She has never heard of this 'up charge for forgein purchases on a VISA and is pretty sure VISA in Canada isn't doing this. I call VISA in Canada this morning and get it straight from the horses mouth (my phone contact is really a very sexy sounding French Canadian guy named Patrick) who says quite definitely there is no charge for using my VISA anywhere in the world other than the exchange rate for the purchase. I do get charge $5 for every cash advance at an ATM outside the country and the late payment interest fee is 3% higher if I am late in payment. Pay the VISA in full on or before the due date and there are no extra fees at all. Yeah Canada!

I do hope that more VISA customers in the US complain about this up charge, otherwise the credit card will continue on its merry way abusing its customers. Remember Bank of America backed down from some user fee after millions of people threatened to drop their service? It can be controlled, but only if you kvetch a little... Or a lot. Complaining is not fun but sometimes it is necessary not to just lie down and take it. You can always move money into Canada and set up an account there, tell them 'Marilyn sent you'. Canada, the nice country.

Xox
M