We received some complaints from travelers that American Express skews foreign currency exchange rates before adding a 2% foreign transaction fee. Some even complained that the rate was a full 1% higher than the rate they were expecting. American Express prominently displays the 2% foreign transaction fee on monthly statements, but if it is true that they also skew the exchange rate, this effectively adds an undisclosed, unknown fee for customers.

Exchange rates can be incredibly tricky to determine, and until recent lawsuits, credit card issuers have added costs for purchases made in foreign countries without openly disclosing those fees to consumers. Now, many companies are much more forthright as they disclose fees, but customers have to be on their toes as the fine print can be confusing.

We decided to take a close look at how American Express determines the total fee added to a foreign currency purchase and whether or not the fee is skewed. If it is skewed to the customer’s disadvantage, we wanted to know by how much.
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Just over a week has passed since Dell recalled 4.1 million batteries. Today, Apple followed suit by recalling 1.8 million batteries for their iBook G4 and PowerBook G4 models. In both cases the problem batteries were made by Sony.

For more information visit: http://support.apple.com/batteryprogram

Below is a summary of debit card and ATM foreign transaction fees sometimes known as “debit card foreign conversion fees” that we’ve added to the directory:

• National City Corp. Debit Card / ATM Foreign Transaction Fees
• Washington Mutual Debit Card / ATM Foreign Transaction Fees
• Wachovia Debit Card / ATM Foreign Transaction Fees
• CitiGroup Debit Card / ATM Foreign Transaction Fees
• HSBC Debit Card / ATM Foreign Transaction Fees

If you have information about debit card or ATM fees for other banks or debit card companies, please post the information below and we’ll add the details to the growing directory of debit card and ATM foreign transaction fees.

Consumers allege that the bureaus — Equifax, TransUnion and Experian — are engaging in a practice that artificially lowers their credit scores, and that they are ignoring pleas to remove inaccurate information from the reports.

While knowing your credit rating is important, but it seems that the credit bureaus are allegedly more interested in selling you your credit score rather than making sure it stays accurate. Law.com reports that the number of this type of lawsuit is on the rise:
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Cnet reported earlier today new airport regulations banned portable devices from being carried on international flights. Cnet’s solution: buy rugged portable devices. This would have serious implications for travelers (especially those who store personal and financial data on their hardrives) IF it were only true.
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Some Dell notebooks have had their batteries recalled by Dell due to fire hazard. If you’re traveling with one of the models below, you may be entitled to a battery replacement.
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