Issues Using Visa Card

I have a Wells Fargo cash back rewards Credit card and they've been pretty good, so to me that means zero hassles. I've used it in Canada many times with zero additional fees and you should use a Credit card while traveling so you get the bank conversion rates, not the merchant rates which are much higher when you use Travelers checks.

I have both an AMEX and Visa cars through Pentagon Federal Credit Union and am very pleased with both (they are cash rewards cards that return the reward monthly through a balance adjustment).

As has been suggested previously, notifying the card companies in advance of international travel is a good idea.

I have a personal distaste with BOFA, and automatically assume that they mess things up. I have on several occasions tried to give that bank an opportunity to redeem itself, but to no avail. Henceforth they have been permanently banned from our household, and the household of my closest relative. I also warn as many as ask for advice that they should steer clear of that banking institution. Wells Fargo is the next worst on my list but they can still be used.
Sticking with paypal works well. I have noticed that there are 2 other clearing houses used by some firms to make payment. But their reputation is not like paypals.

I haven't had any problem with BOFA visa card. For foreign, I do have a card with a chip. Before I used it for foreign purchases, I did notify the bank that the foreign charges would be charged against it. The charges just showed up on my monthly statement - no additional fees.

I've heard that there is a McDonalds in Japan that doesn't require patrons that have the RFID chip card to even get out their wallets.