Missy, based on all the horror stories reported on the forum, I would strongly recommend that you open a checking account before your overseas trip.

I would have money in both the checking and savings! My bank said that my son's ATM would work in Germany off of his savings account it did not! We reopened a checking account for him and Bingo it worked! I was told that a debit card would not work at merchants does any know if this is true?<BR> PS: Take a credit card as this always works but may not be the best way.<BR>Gary

Here is what I do: Simply send whatever amount you think you'll need on your trip to one of your credit cards that doesn't have any balance. Now you have a credit and can use it to get "cash advances" which really aren't since you now have a credit balance, and consequently there is no "transaction fee", nor interest charges. Upon your return, if there is any money remaining ion the account, simply call and get a check. ATMs are every where, and the exchange rate is favorable. Eliminates all the hassles you will have trying to cash checks, etc.

Add Northwest Air Visa to the 3% chargers.

Harvey, that's brilliant. I'm also told that if I use my hometown bank's debit card as a _credit_ card, I avoid the $1.50 ATM fee AND the international-exchange fee.

Hi folks, ok I just called my credit card company and they said even if I had over paid my account and did transactions with my card I wounld still be charged for the fees, it makes no diffences if I over paid it by say $500.00. It is a visa target card. What type credit cards can i do it with then? Thank you for any help. I leave for Hungary in about four weeks. Anyone from here going to be there at that time? I leave June 26 to come back home near Boston. Alice

Regarding overpaying credit card,<BR>my experience is same as what Alice has been told.<BR>There are two components to cash advance from the credit card, 1) per transaction fee and 2) interest.<BR><BR>The bank (or CC company) charges the per transaction FEE no matter what your account balance is.<BR><BR>The INTEREST, however, can be avoided if there is credit in your account to pay for the cash advance.<BR><BR>But since the per transaction FEE is almost always more than the ATM using-not-your-bank fee, it does not make sense to use the Credit Card cash advance on this account. I have option to use this method as last resort backup if all my ATM cards fail.<BR><BR>Also, if you read the fine prints in CC agreement, some CC company can deny you from leaving too much cash on your CC. Afterall, they are after the 20% plus interest they charge and absolutely hate you when you use them as a cash transit depot. So they reserve the right, although they haven't done to me, to immediately send you back excess payment if they think that is what you are doing.

Our ATM card would not work in any ATM in Southern France. We spent three weeks in Provence and the Dordogne region last spring. Our local bank here in a suburb of Seattle told us it wuld work. It worked two years ago in Holland, London, and Ireland. The Frencc ATM cards have a microchip in them that US cards do not. We were able in one bank in Cagnes su Mer to get an advance on our Visa card of $1,000 dollars in francs, and at a good exchange rate.

I am leaving for Ireland/England/Paris on Saturday, 5/11. I just checked with my bank. They say that my card WILL work in Europe. However, there will be a $5 fee for foreign transactions. And, that is a najor bank. I have it attached to checking and savings. <BR>I will report back in 2 weeks when I return. I am sure that it will still be a hot topic.

During our Sept. 2001 trip to Germany we found ATM use great as did most of fellow travelers. Used Visa credit card most of the time but in a very nice restaurant we had to pay cash. Sue

We have used our bank debit card in all sorts of ATM's in France, including the ATM which is in all PTT's (Post Offices) in France, even in the tiniest villages with only a PTT and a little grocery. Absolutely never have a problem and we go every year. The only problem we have had is when the union which fill the distributeurs (cash machines) went on strike----finally worked it out but that was a bore a couple of years ago. Hope that experience helps.

Ok this is what I know, I used my Debt card in the ATM's in Europe and found that it worked well with my savings and checking accounts. <BR><BR> One Idea I had was to look at the banking sitution and noticed that " Citibanks " are all around europe so you might want to have an account there in case there's a problem. <BR><BR> When my card didnt work I walked into " Citibank " ( everyone spoke English) and problem solved in 20 minutes me and my new card just walked out and enjoyed the trip.<BR><BR> If you have problems with money running out of your checking account you can transfer money from your banks website or make a call back home and use your banks phone service to transfer money from one account to another ( yes yes I also ran short ), it save time and money from credit card fee and cash advances.<BR><BR> Good Luck<BR> Rolo

One thing you might want to know. My ATM would not work after my first two transactions in Italy. I used it in Rome for about 300 euros, and again in Florence for about he same amount. When I tried in Venice it would not work. I tried my wife's card (in case mine had been demagnetized) and that did not work. Then we tried a different machine but that didn't work. Luckily you can get a cash advance on your amex card at any amex office without a transaction charge so that it what i did. Anyhow, once I goit back my card worked as if nothing ever happened. This is simething you might want to discuss with your bank before you leave.

I am an American living in Europe, and ALWAYS use my US debit card for foreign currency, as it gives me the best rate of exchange. I use a bank that has no transaction charges for foreign ATM withdrawals, so don't have to factor that charge into the forex rate.<BR><BR>If you use online banking, you can usually transfer money from savings to checking by computer, but when using an internet cafe, observe all the precautions to safeguard your account. Otherwise, just transfer all the money you think you will need into your checking account before departure.<BR><BR>Really, though, the secret to carefree travel is to have some back-up if your major source of funds is lost. Take some travellers checks, more than one debit/credit card, and maybe a small amount of cash in the currency of the first country you will visit. Amex cards aren't always accepted, but it is nice to know you can get assistance at an Amex office if you run into trouble.

Visa and Mastercard both charge a 1% fee on overseas transactions. In addition, the issuing bank may charge an additional 1-5% fee. Some do, some don't. Mine don't.<BR><BR>Many banks are now also starting to charge an additional 1-5% fee on ATM and debit card purchases and withdrawals made overseas. My bank doesn't.<BR><BR>Bottom line--you have to check with your individual credit card issuer and your bank to see what, if any, fees are charged.<BR><BR>And a few TCs are a good idea for backup, just in case. I get them free at my credit union.

As another American abroad, I second Heimdall 's advice. Also, my Bank of America ATM card will get money delivered to my within three or four hours if my card is every lost or stolen.

If you can access your bank or credit union account online, you can see your balance - and usually make a transfer to your checking account online too.

I travel w/ ATM and credit card and $100 back up cash - and I have never had to use the cash!<BR><BR>I have used my ATM card in about 30 countries dating to 1995. It used to be checking only but now sometimes (but not all) I now have the option to pull from savings. However I still assume checking only and transfer as much as I may need prior to traveling. I am a Chase customer and have never been charged a fee but this may have to do w/ the type of account I have w/ Chase so you should check.<BR><BR>As mentioned some credit cards recently started charging a 1-3% foreign currency fee. One of my cards does not (Citibank). I obviously only use that one when traveling.<BR><BR>In general I find cards easier and more economical the travelers checks and less risky than cash.<BR><BR>Happy Travels!

My daughter had to take money out of her checking on several ATM&quot;S in Spain and elsewhere in Europe last year- since the money was in her savings Fleet bank charged her a $3 overdraft fee to move the money from savings to checking AND a $5 international fee- $8 every time she took money out. My local credit union charges nothing for international withdrawals -I've used it in Europe and just recently in Central America- beware of big banks.

Most of the problems listed in previous posts could have been easily avoided by<BR>calling the credit card or debit card company before you leave home. That's why there is an 800 number.<BR><BR>You should call to inform them where you will be and for how long.<BR><BR>Ask what the fees are and use the card with the lower fees.<BR><BR>Ask if there is a limit on charges or cash advances in a single day and what to do if there is.<BR><BR>Use the debit card for cash and the credit card for purchases.<BR><BR>If two are travelling, have at least one credit card and debit card with each. Obviously, different.<BR><BR>Each keep a list (separate from the cards themselves) of card numbers and telephone numbers to call in case of a problem.<BR><BR>Plan ahead instead of complaining later. <BR><BR>