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I have had look at the card transactions from the US trip. And Oh boy do I get pissed off about it – not just the fact it is always boring with bills!

The exchange rate differs hugely from different companies. For me, it is clear what card to use and not to use.

Nationwide credit card used the following exchange rate:

11 September 2006: 1.87459

AMEX on the other hand used:

12 September 2006: 1.81798

My bank, needed cash for the deposit:

11Sep06: 1.81472 + charge of £3.30/$5.99 and then $2.00 that the US bank charged me.

These difference are huge and Nationwide is way head of its competitors.

The difference in cost for the financial institutions for the card transactions in the domestic market compared with abroad is non-existent! But it is received as a value-added service so therefor they can rip their consumers off.