We have gotten to the point that we don't bring traveller's checks to Italy and Paris anymore because ATM's are so prevalent. Is it OK to think that way in Barcelona and Southern France as well? Or are we being too complacent?

yes, Barcelona is full of banks with ATM's.

Yes, it's all the same. In fact, maybe the difficult thing would be to find a bank who wants to exchange traveller's checks ATM's are everywere in Spain and France too.

Thanks! You have reminded me of the time (3 or so years ago) we brought trav. checks in Euros and the bank in Sicily where we tried to cash them was so stumped! They actually called our bank to double check that traveller's checks in Euros actually existed!

what American ATM DEBIT cards are accepted at most ATM machines in Barcelona?

What American Banks have ATM cards that are accepted at most Barcelona ATM machines?
Is there a finance charge and how much?

Just remember that you need a four digit PIN for the ATM"s in Spain like other European countries.

We intentionally got a Capital One card since we were told certain fees were waived in Europe. Not true.

We travel with a Visa, MC, and AMEX and never have a problem getting money. Unfortunately I never recall who charges what.

I don't know when I last used travellers cheques at all.....managed fine with ATMs in Turkey and Morocco as well as Italy, France etc. etc

ATM's all over the main European countries. Charges will depend initially on your own bank. Some ATM's have a separate charge, usually the ones in Supermarkets or other stores but they do have to tell you if they charge.

Don't forget that Europe is quite civilised for things like ATM's.

One thing to bear in mind about ATMs in Spain is that increasing numbers of them have DCC - dynamic currency conversion, just like in the stores. When a machine recognises your card as American, it automatically offers you a choice of the transaction going through in US$ (with rate shown) or in euro. The choice you get is YES for dollar, NO for euro. So read the screen very carefully and press the right button for euro (better exchange rate). DCC is now common on banks belonging to the Santander group, Banesto, BANIF etc, plus some others. Currently you are ok with La Caixa ATMs - most prevalent in Barcelona, with blue star(fish) symbol.

See pages 2 & 3 of the link below for info regarding charges when using cc in foreign countries. The list includes rates for cc purchases and ATM withdrawls and was up to date as of April '09
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/cred...on-fees-1.aspx