My go to cards when I am traveling internationally have always been Chase cards, thanks to their lack of foreign transaction fees. Since foreign transaction fees are 3% of the charge, using a card with such a fee negates any point value. That means that my Delta American Express cards normally stay in my drawer in the US.
That no longer is the case after May 1, 2014. Delta and American Express will be waiving the foreign transaction fees on the Delta Gold card, Delta Platinum card, and the Delta Reserve card. (I do not receive a commission for these cards) It is about time they made this move, especially given the annual fee on the last two cards. In addition to the elimination of the foreign transaction fee, they will also be adding EMV chips to the cards. After May 1, you can call American Express and request a new card with the chip in it.
As of May 1, 2014, the foreign transaction fee is waived for American Express Consumer and Business Delta SkyMiles Credit Cards (Gold, Platinum and Reserve) issued in the U.S. or PRVI. Card Members should start to receive notice of this change in their February statement.
Also happening May 1, EMV chip technology will be available on all American Express Delta Cards. After May 1, interested Card Members can call the number on the back of their Card to request a new Card with chip.
[/blockquote]Of course, being Delta, bad news comes along with the good news. Remember, May 1 is also the date when you will no longer be able to bring guests into the Sky Club with you on a Delta Reserve card. It is also the date that the American Express Delta Platinum card will be hiking up their annual fee from $150 to $195. So, is the new foreign transaction fee change enough to make up for the negative changes? Personally, unless you are a dedicated Delta flyer, I do not believe that these positive changes are enough.
