Thanks to all the posts...just called American Express to find out about the "fees"... I thought there were none on AMEX Gold card..not anymore. 2% conversion charge on purchases...but even worse..it's 3% when using AMEX at an ATM actually 3% or $5,whichever is higher. My bank charges a flat fee of $17.00 at there branch...which I thought was high...but on 1,000 dollars...(my spending money for my trip to Italy) ..I guess it's not!!

I don't think the rate has changed. It's long been 2% above the official exchange rate. And with many more cards charging 3%, it's actually pretty good.

AMEX has always had a min $5 for ATM withdrawls.

>My bank charges a flat fee of $17.00 at there branch...<

For what?

Ira..sorry I wasn't clear. They charge $17 " conversion fee" to exchange US for Euro...regardless of how much you are exchanging.

I'm just a little confused. Why not use ATM to withdraw money from bank account, and not pay the credit card fees at all? I've done that on my last few trips with no probs, and did not bother to cash more than a few euros to take care of first few hours there. I also tried to do a cash only vacation, with CCs as backup only.
Mike

I don't know why one would use a credit card in an ATM, either, except some emergency if you lost your ATM/debit card. All credit cards I know charge a lot for cash advances, which are basically loans.

why are you doing that?

Hi all,

You can arrange with AMEX to use your CC as an ATM card.

No cash advance charges.

Ira, you mean I can switch ,depending on the transaction between using my AMEX as a debit card at an ATM or a Credit Card with a Merchant?

Hi Love,

You give AMEX the bank account which you would like to use for cash withdrawl.

They give you a PIN, which you can change.

You can then use your AMEX card in an ATM.

The withdrawl fees are high, but it's very useful as a backup.

Exactly...it is useful as a backup. I asked my bank branch manager if I could/should do anything in advance (notify?) of my travels to Italy and he said to "just call" if you have any problems. That's certainly the last thing I'm going to want to do on vacation. PS In Positano

Amex has always charged a foreign conversion fee. This isn't new and as far as I know, there haven't been any increases lately.

To use your Amex at an ATM to withdraw cash, you have to enroll your card in their Express Cash program:

http://www10.americanexpress.com/sif...14776%2C00.asp

If you have an Amex charge card product, then you need to give them your bank account information. The amount withdrawn is then debited from your bank account.

If you have a credit card product, my understanding is that the amount withdrawn is billed to your Amex account, in which case there may be finance charges as I imagine it would be treated like a cash advance. I'm not certain though as I've never enrolled an Amex credit card. Does anyone know?