Nickel and dimed...

It's been a few years since my last trip overseas, and I noticed when I started booking a few things for my trip to Africa next week that my bank charged me an OUTRAGEOUS "International Transaction Fee" for a basic Visa transaction. I was SHOCKED! 3% on all international transactions!!! I knew ATM fees were inevitable, but I was hoping to use my Visa as much as possible, even knowing that there might be local charges involved, because of the security of carrying less cash. Now I also have to worry about fees from home?!

I have been calling around to a few banks today and here is what I've learned: Capital One is the only major credit card company that seems to not charge these ridiculous fees. I was happy about this because I have a Cap One card with cash back rewards. I also found a smaller bank that only charges 2% per transaction. They also agreed to waive the service fee if I get traveler's checks through them, because there was some confusion about whether or not it was all transactions or only ATMs (it's charged on all).

I did not expect to be opening a new bank account less than a week before I leave and getting a new check card expedited to me!

Now, after that little rant, my questions for discussion: Has anyone found a way to avoid some of these bank fees? Other than just carrying heaps of cash, how do you do it?!

I have an online bank account from HSBC link I have never seen a foreign transaction fee from them when using their debit card or while withdrawing funds at an ATM. Because the have branches worldwide, you can many times dodge the "foreign ATM" fees as well. Additionally, they have one of the best online security...things...I have ever used AND to further tout them, their exchange rates seem on par with other cards I have used.

RE: HSBC

I'm moving to UK but will still have some US bills to pay each month. I'm looking for a bank that will deal with this situation without regular fees for using both currencies.

Would HSBC be the one?

(Oh, and I'll post this in the Living Abroad category, too, in case those brilliant expats already have the answers.)

Capital One Visa.

I use the Schwab checking account, and didn't see any transaction fees on my bill.