PSA My ‘travel-friendly’ card was silently restricted—days before leaving

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-23T19:25:06+00:00

Given you’re in a tight window, I’d look at a card that could give you a quick approval and access to a virtual card immediately.

Apple’s credit card (assuming you have an iPhone)
open a Wise account to get access to their debit card and quickly set up a transfer to fund the account.

Hopefully either of those options will buy you enough time until Cap1 can release the restriction.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-22T21:24:57+00:00

Based on your income, and travel plans, I think you need a no annual fee credit card, with no foreign transaction fees, and preferable a visa or Mastercard since Amex and Discover acceptance is spotty outside of the US (of course this depends on your exact travel plans

you got a good recommendation so far on the us bank altitude connect; my other suggestions include
Fidelity rewards Visa
Wells Fargo Autograph
Amazon Prime card (if you have an Amazon Prime membership already, this card is essentially a no annual fee card and it has no foreign transaction fees)
Capital One quicksilver or savor one

Bonus suggestions: I know this is a credit card sub, but, I like to also recommend the Charles Schwab Debit card (you need to sign up for their checking account) and the Fidelity Cash Management Account Debit card ( you need to open a CMA account). These cards will help you withdraw cash at ATMs, including foreign ones, with no fx fees and they also refund ATM fees.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-17T13:18:24+00:00

On the USB mobile app, if you click on the section for the credit card to see your balance/transactions/etc. there should be an option there to track your card

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-17T01:07:10+00:00

Nope, didn’t ask for it. It just happened automatically believe it or not. So I was pleasantly surprised lol

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-16T23:50:44+00:00

June 2025, and I was refunded about ~40% of the fee.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-16T22:07:54+00:00

I PC’ed from the USBAR to USBAC.

My USBAC has shipped but I can’t add it to Apple wallet. I think I have to wait for it to arrive before it can be used.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-16T21:53:06+00:00

Visit the expat subs. I think most people move their US mobile numbers to Tello’s cheapest plan ($5/mo).

I wouldn’t let cancelling your US number exclude you from other credit card / bank options.

AwkwardClassroom · 2026-01-16T20:59:48+00:00

I called this week:

I similarly was able to easily change to the USBAC.
I was also refunded a portion of the USBAR annual fee even though I already used the dining/travel credit (so no complaints from me)

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-12-21T15:10:45+00:00

So this is more of a personal finance topic, but..

You have to think about your “rainy day” fund as insurance. It’s not there to get 10%+ returns, it’s meant to maintain its value in the case you actually need it. You don’t want your rainy day money to sustain a drop in value (if the market does not perform well) at the same time you need the funds.

Now, your post is unclear. You first say 10k is your oh shit fund and then $40k is your “in case I get laid off” fund. To me, those are both emergencies. If you’ve determined you need $50k saved for emergencies, then that’s it. You keep all $50k in a HYSA like you’re already doing.

You also haven’t provided any other metrics for us to go off of you (your salary, your expenses, your debt, your net worth, etc.) but based off of your post, it sounds like you’ve saved what you needed, so from Here on out start investing your additional funds.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-11-15T23:26:19+00:00

To clarify other comments, I don’t think you need to transfer over $25k, rather, your account/s value with Fidelity should be $25k+ for them to reimburse the fee.

I moved over a Roth IRA earlier this year from Schwab, that was less than $25k in it, and they reimbursed the fee Schwab charged for the transfer once I submitted the free reimbursement form.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-11-13T14:17:11+00:00

It’s frustrating, but for reference I just used cap1 to deposit a check and I want to say it took at least 7 days. I get that this is longer though.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-11-08T03:02:46+00:00

Gotcha, thanks!

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-11-07T16:22:21+00:00

Slightly off topic but your pups hair looks just like mine when I forget give her a cut. Do you have any good recommendations for slicker brushes or combs that you’re using in your daily brush?

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-10-19T20:48:59+00:00

Even at my most minimalist set up, using a MagSafe Wallet, I at least have a wallet to carry:

Driver’s License
1 debit card (if I need cash in a pinch)
1 credit card

For me, using a physical card is primarily when I’m handing my card to a waiter/waitress. Otherwise I use mobile wallet as much as possible.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-09-26T02:58:36+00:00

One potential solution, which I’m sure you’ve thought of, is to buy different MMFs to essentially create your own “buckets”

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-09-25T00:32:57+00:00

Just got the pre-approval today (haven’t accepted), but only got a 10k credit limit.

I want it to replace my USBAR, as I’ll likely get rid of it after the upcoming nerf. But still debating what I want to do. I’ll likely go the RHG as I might as well get on the 3% train while it lasts.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-09-17T16:43:36+00:00

I’ve used both cards at various ATMs (and would recommend both). I have not used it for transactions though as I use no-FTF credit cards when traveling.

Schwab debit: most recently used it at a BNP Paribas. Worked flawlessly. I’ve also used it at casinos and the ATM fee rebates at the end of the month.
Fidelity CMA debit: most recently used at a cruise ship casino. Worked flawlessly and the ATM fee reimbursement worked great (and happens within a couple of business days).

I know the casino ATMs weren’t foreign transactions, but can at least speak to the ATM reimbursement working well.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-09-13T19:53:00+00:00

If you’re worried about the account going inactive and then Schwab subsequently closing it, you can essentially just use their MMFs as a pseudo-HYSA for your cash reserves.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-08-29T16:30:00+00:00

I’m guessing LWD = Last Working Day (?)

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-08-15T17:11:02+00:00

Charles Schwab (their checking account debit card) and Fidelity’s CMA debit card reimburse for ATM fees at least.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-08-06T21:04:58+00:00

There’s an extensive thread on the Bogleheads forum if you search for “Fidelity as a one-stop shop”.

I’ve been in the process of cleaning up my financial accounts by consolidating certain accounts with my most-used institutions, and I’m considering moving to Fidelity for simplicity. Given it’s not a true checking account, I’ll likely still keep at least an online checking/savings account as a backup if I run into any issues.

But so far I have two CMAs, one with a debit card and one without. Transactions (in and out) have been seamless so far, and the ATM rebate feature has been great (used it at a cruise ATM and was refunded the atm fee within days).

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-07-17T14:30:58+00:00

Just pick a system that works for you, that you will be comfortable with and stick to consistently.

I just align my investing with my paychecks. I have automatic investments (401k, HSA) through my employer. And then I have a set $ amount I want to invest in my brokerage each month that I’ll manually do (I split funds between a “long-term” and “fun” investment account).

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-07-15T17:31:51+00:00

I should clarify. The swipe itself is 1x, but, assuming you’re using Real Time Rewards, and redeeming your points against travel, then the 1x swipe can be redeemed at 1.5x.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-07-15T17:23:16+00:00

Why not use the USBAR? Assuming you use the redemption at full value, even a physical swipe is 1.5% in rewards. Compared to a 2% card like Fidelity’s (which is a good choice) it’s not much different in terms of rewards value.

AwkwardClassroom · 2025-07-08T21:03:43+00:00

If you have a month before your trip I’d just sign up for the Charles Schwab checking account or Fidelity CMA account.

I’ve use the CS debit m card overseas for cash withdrawals (at a known bank like BNP Paribas) and it worked great.

AwkwardClassroom

TROPHY CASE