Bank and card fees

Responding to a column two weeks ago, I wrote this letter, published in today's Los Angeles Times:

The “Credit Card Fee Game” [May 20, Money Matters, by Catharine Hamm] made me think of two peeves of mine, one longstanding and one brand new:

— I go to Mexico several times a year. Even though Citigroup owns Banamex, I still get charged a hefty fee for getting pesos at a Banamex ATM using my Citibank ATM card. Grrr.

— My United Airlines MileagePlus Explorer Visa card has a hefty annual fee, but at least the 10,000 bonus miles I get for spending at least $25,000 per year almost completely pays for the annual fee.

However, the card company recently notified me that the 10,000 bonus miles benefit will be disappearing. Grrr.

Even though I fly United frequently and use this card as my main one, I hate fees, and I may not keep it after this year.

Rodney Hoffman