Bank of America states i can use my versateller card at BNP Paribus banks with no fees. Does anyone know if there are multiple locations of this bank in Paris?

Thanks!

If you google
bnp paribas paris
(Note NOT paribus) you'll get a map of their locations

yes, there are quite a few, although probably not the most common ones I notice. But there are plenty that you shouldn't have trouble.

BNP Paribas is the most common bank in Paris.

Created out of: Banque Nationale de Paris (BNP)

and

Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas (Paribas)

So it is quite normal to be everywhere in Paris.

Just look for the green sign above the ATM, or at least nearby.

Thanks everyone, i am trying to decide whether to rely on atms or get euros before i leave or travelers cheques. all the fees are so confusing with the credit cards etc...

Where are you staying..I seem to se them on just about every other corner in Paris!

Scrap the idea of the impossible to cash TC's which will also cost you a fortune for exchange rates IF you can find anyone who will cash them.
ATM's are the way to go. BNP ATM's seem to be on every other block. I see them all over Paris. Where are you staying, and we can probably me even more specific if you still have reservations about finding one.

I'm not sure why you would concern yourself with finding no fee ATM's and then suggest an alternative of getting money in advance of going which would cost you considerably more than fees at non-affiliated ATM's. The BNP ATM's are ALL you need.

Seems to me its all about the same BOA charges 3% conversion fee even if you use BNP just not he $5 atm fee.

the current exchange rate at BOA is like 1.43

so you get charged something more no matter what you do, i might save myself the aggravationof having to go to atm regularly and just get the money before i leave. Charge everything else on capitol one who charges nothing extra.

Also, make sure that your card is just an ATM card and NOT a debit card (you can ask BOA to change your card). In this case, if you do lose your card, the people who have your card will have know your PIN to take $ from ATM machines. If your card is a debit card, then people can use your card by just signing your name.

It may seem like that there is no difference between a debit card and a credit card in this regard. Yet, credit cards provide much better lost protection than debit cards.

WARNING

I used to have the ATM card only from my bank. And then I went to Turkey. The stupid card would NOT work anyplace. I have spoken with others who had this problem in other places.

I just store my Debit card in my money belt and don't worry about it. If it's stolen I will call and cancel it just like a credit card (which it is) I don't see the extra protection of an ATM only card.

carolA, Did your bank give you a reason why your ATM Card didn't work in Turkey?

We are having the same problem in Paris with my husband's ATM card. He banks with a very small bank in Honolulu and I am thinking this is part of the problem. Does it matter if his card is an ATM and a debit card with regard to withdrawing money? We have been in contact with the bank's rep and so far, he cannot give us any answer as to why the card is not working.

ampsca, since when does BofA charge 3% for ATM withdrawals? Last summer they were still charging 1%, but as a matter of fact, for some reason the rate was 1% discounted below the current XE rate for me, so I came out exactly at current rates. Are you sure you aren't confusing the 3% with what BofA charges on their CREDIT cards, rather than ATM/Debit cards? Or is this a brand new thing?

I had the same rate charged as PAtrick for ATM at member banks

The ATM charge depends on the type of account that you have with BofA. If you are an Advantage customer, you only have the 1% Visa charge. If you have an economy type account, the charge is 3%. Also, we were in Paris last week, and BNP's are everywhere. You will notice them because of the bright green sign with stars in a circle. They are so easy to spot.

BNP and its ATM's are located pretty much everywhere in Paris sometimes on both sides of one street.

Neo-
I called the foreign currency customer service number and asked specifically, they said they waive the $5.00 service charge but there is a 3% conversion fee for each withdrawal. But I guess the person could be wrong. I think I will just get the euros here. Use the ATM if necessary.

Apparently then blh above has it right. I've never heard of that 3% charge, but then I have an Advantage account with BofA, so maybe standard accounts do charge 3% instead of the 1% I get charged.

I have an Advantage account and I didn't know others were being charged more than 1%. WOW!!

I keep a second account at a credit union where I am charged $1 for each withdrawal and only a 1% markup. I use this account when traveling to countries with no BofA partners. You might check around with your local credit unions.