Charged foreign-transaction fee

The letter “Foreign-transaction Fee” (May ’10, pg. 14) really struck a nerve with us. In early April we were on a cruise from Miami to Barcelona with Oceania Cruises, and while on board we decided to place a deposit for a 2011 cruise. We paid the $1,500 using our Wells Fargo Visa debit card.

When we returned home and checked our bank statement, the bank had tacked on a 45-dollar (3%) International Purchase Transaction Fee.

Since we were on a ship whose headquarters are in Miami and since we were billed in US dollars, we could not see how this could be considered an international purchase. Furthermore, Wells Fargo was not required to do any currency conversion whatsoever.

The bank’s stance is that the transaction took place in “international waters” and was therefore subject to a transaction fee.

The bank finally agreed to give us a credit for half the amount charged, or $22.50. While somewhat vindicated, we still feel that such a charge is out of line.

CHARLOTTE & LYNDEN OLSTEAD

Redwood City, CA