Thanks. I will check out compass. I do not see them in my area in VA.

Also, about the Hilton ARc in Paris. I like to sleep in a quiet zone. so, I am sure it will be a good hotel for sleeping!

checked: no compass banks in VA.

Hi girlonthego, the original post that I started stated the costs Wachovia charged to my account.
Hi nanabee, I did not order the euro and paid $15. I made comparison between getting 800 euro from ATM and the same amount from local bank. I save $24 by using the ATM even though I had to make 4 withdrawals.

girlonthego:

http://www.everbank.com/001Checking....kID=Navigation
$1500 min bal / free interest checking / no ATM charges /
Foreign transaction fee: ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.wamu.com/personal/account...ng/default.asp
free ATM cash withdrawals worldwide
You may use your card to withdraw cash at any Washington Mutual ATM for free
Foreign transaction fee: ?
-------------------------------------------
Bank of Virginia - Midlothian, Richmond or Chester
http://www.bankofva.com/
Express Free Checking:
Foreign ATM Fees: Unlimited free withdrawals. All fees charged by other banks are automatically refunded to our customers.
Foreign transaction fee: ?

girlonthego
we also opened a B of A account ONLY for traveling abroad. We do not use them for our personal banking!

georgiegirl
i figured that was what you meant after i re-read it. it seemed was too expensive for anyone to actually do that!!

Thanks for the info, especially Travelnut. I know exactly where Bank of VA is too. Free ATM usage,no foreign transaction fees. That is great. I think I might open a small account there for our trip.
Thanks again for researching and finding that for me. I appreciate it. I have been driving around noticing different banks and then coming home and typing in to see their policies. I hadn't seen that one yet, but know the location is easy to get to.

Re: " I have a Capital One MM card also and it does have a foreign transaction fee."

This is apparently changed in the latest high-yield money market accounts. The ATM cards with these accounts let you withdraw up to $500 a day with no currency transaction fee, and no ATM fee. According to their disclosure statement, you will only be charged a withdrawal fee if the bank from which you are withdrawing imposes a fee. As with their credit card, Cap One does not even pass on the 1% VISA international fee.

Someone on Slow Trav has been using one of these cards in Italy, and reports that he is getting the current bank exchange rate with no added percentage, and as far as he knows, no fee (although I don't think this will be completely clear until he gets his first statement).

re: Bank of VA
girlonthego - did you confirm that there is no foreign transaction fee (1-2%) on the cash withdrawn in foreign currency? I could find no reference to it on the website. It's very rare that at least 1% would not be added.

No not verbally yet. The website said that all fees charged by atms would be refunded.
I plan to go and check the bank out and ask some questions. I am not sure if I will have time before this weekend. \
I will try and call them today to ask.

The 1% fee is not added by the ATM, or the owner of the ATM. Unlike in the US, bank owned ATMs in Europe do not tack on a fee for non-customers. Your own bank will be the one to charge you a foreign (as in not their own) ATM fee, if any.

The 1% (or whatever % fee) is added by visa, or whoever else administers the international transaction.

travelnut: Re Bank of Virginia:
I called them today to verify the no foreign transaction fees and the girl had no idea what I was talking about at first. She seemed startled that I would want to use an atm in europe or overseas. She then said the bank eats all fees charged by other atms and she guesses that would mean anywhere in the world. Isn't it great to have such informed customer service people? LOL. Anyway, i think I may open an account there soon just for the purpose of using it in Europe. I will have to go to the bank physically and see if there is someone there that is more 'in the know'

Tell them you are considering opening an account but you want to read the disclosures first (incl. the one for the check-card). The disclosure must state the % fee that is passed for 'foreign currency fee' or 'foreign transaction fee'. It could be different % for ATm vs. purchases....If you don't like what you see in the disclosure, don't open the account.

travelnut, good idea. I will ask to see the disclosure statements.
Thanks.

My daughter used her Commerce Bank ATM in Amsterdam yesterday. I looked at her statement and saw that she was charged the Interbank rate and no fees.