I leave for France and England in 11 days! I have 2 questions - I like coffee with my meals, I am taking sweet n low, but do I also need to take packets of non dairy creamers? second, when you withdraw from a "foreign" atm here in the states, they tell you how much the fee is going to be - does ATMs in England and France also do that? and how much is the usual fee for each withdrawal? I am not talking about MY bank's fee - but the ATM fee.

I've seen the liquid non-dairy creamer OCCASIONALLY in London hotels/B&Bs/restaurants but oh so rarely. I don't think I've ever seen it in France. It's not something I use, so I don't know if you could buy it in a supermarket in either country.<BR><BR>French and UK ATMs, as far as I've experienced, do NOT charge fees. If they do, I'm sure there will be a notice before the money is dispensed.

Betty I would go ahead and take the sweetnlow and non dairy creamer packets. It will be convenient,one less thing to purchase upon arrival. I honestly cannot remember how much ATM's charge (sorry). I would suggest using ATM's that are tied to major local banks for each country. I would avoid using "private" ATM's.<BR>I wish you a very safe trip and have a lot of fun!

Thanks ladies. Kay - great idea about using "bank only" ATMs.!

Betty: I can't help you with the dairy cream, but the usual charge, if any, is about the equivilent of $1.50 American. Many ATMs charge no fee and, yes, a message will give you the charge if there is one. ATMs are now so prevalent, if I see a charge message, I move two doors down to the next ATM and try again. I never have to wait long for a no-charge ATM. Cheap, I know, but old habits die hard.<BR>Having said all this, I suspect that the overseas banks will eventually wakeup to the money making opportunity and all will start charging and that could happen at any time. But, so far this year in three trips, Scotland, Belgium and Canada, I have been able to avoid charges. I have had the same experience in England and France. Have a great trip.

Thanks Joe! (I am shocked that they charge such a small fee!). But hey, I'll take it!

Check your atm card has either cirrus or visa, otherwise it won't work.

You will not be charged a fee for using an ATM to get money in England. BUT, you might be charged a handling fee from your own bank.

I have a advantage there - I work at the bank, so any bank charges would be refunded.

Betty: There will be no fees tacked on by the French or UK banks. So that "fee" notice will not dispaly. Only your own bank's - and since you will get a refund of those youe are in great shape.<BR><BR>As for the non-dairy creamer - If you lactose intolerant or have a health reason for taking it along do take some. But british dairy products are so good I would try to use real milk and cream.

maybe I will just take some (for France). Thanks, Janice!

Betty, I always carry my blue stuff and packets of Coffee Mate on trips, even in the US. It seems that many restaurants don't have it as readily available as I would like so I just bring some and carry a few packets with me if I think I will want them during the day. If I don't have my stuff with me I usually just take my coffee black.

Last year, we were in Nice, Avignon, and Paris, and I looked in several grocery stores/supermarkets in those cities and was unable to find nondairy creamer. However, I've never had a problem finding it in London.

Joe, well in the UK it's not a case of the banks "waking up" to the money making opportunities but more a case of customers having woken up to the rip off. UK banks did, until very recently, charge, until one bank stopped doing it (and obviously started advertising the fact in the spirit of "aren't we a bunch of swell guys"). And of course, once one stopped charging, the rest had to follow.