Rebates?
Most credit cards (without annual fee) offer three classes of rebate rates.
1. Gasoline 5%, 4% 3%
2. Travel 3% 2%
3. Restaurant 2% 1%
4. Everything else 1%
There are some 'business credit cards" -offer special rebate rate for office supplies, or something similar to business specific. Airline credit cards offer - free bag check-in or free airport lounge passes. But these offers tend to cut-back on the rebates rate on gasoline, travel, restaurant.
Most airline miles or points equates to 1 penny, or same as 1% rebate. For traveling - the advertising says "double miles' - it is same as 2% rebate.
What is my top choice (2012, February)
1 American Express Costco Business
Gasoline 4%, Travel 2%, Restaurant 2%, Everything else 1%
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Need money fast? Soon after clearing customs, there are ATM machines nearby to dispense local currency. That works well to get the journey moving.
USAA - one of the very best ATM card (less fee than others)
Capital One - one of the very best credit card with foreign exchange rate (less fees than others)
