The fees are broken down here
https://bit-x.com/guide/bitx-cardsMore expensive than a credit card but possibly cheaper and far more rapid than having to dick around with exchanges. Depends on your spending patterns I guess.
I love how the US is in the same boat as North Korea... just sick...
Restrictions
Residents from the following countries may order cards, but may not raise card limits to level 2: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Cambodia, Ecuador, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Namibia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Uganda, United States and Minor Outlying Islands, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
source: https://bit-x.com/guide/bitx-cardsI may be amero-centric in this view, but I think the US regulatory / judicial systems are a major barrier. There is huge market opportunity for billion dollar investors to make winfalls in bitcoin based industry, but the investors are very slow to enter this market because so many early adopters are getting thrown in jail. The regulatory burden is overwhelming. This is made even worse in the areas that are not regulated. The unregulated areas could land investors in jail for any number of out dated backward laws dating back to the steam engine.
I would like to think that the US would eventually break out ahead of the pack, but I'm not totally convinced. I think that major adoption will follow when some country gets serious about allowing it's citizens the freedom to develop bitcoin based industry without looking over their shoulder.