Converting USA dollars to a foreign currency will cost between 2% and 3% no matter what you try. Some cards are upfront with their fees and others slightly obfuscate. The buy and sell postings illustrate this. If the fee bothers you, advertise in your local paper. I would like to buy 'X' country currency. The seller can avoid conversion costs as can you.

GSteed, no offense but why did you just insist that what several people said above is NOT true. Several have explained that there are credit cards which will NOT result in those fees. I know as a fact that my ATM withdrawals in France and Italy did not cost anything beyond the XE rate of exhange for that day. Why do you insist we are wrong?

Travelnut has answered the question perfectly. Am I missing something?
You Know? Swings and roundabouts. Debit card? Credit card?
This is a travel forum Not a nursery financial advice centre.
Use a credit card to obtain cash and pay the price!!! Sometimes a high price.
Sorry, but what are you going to do when.............happens. Something usually does.
Best of luck in Europe.

If you want to know <i>exactly</i> what rate your card issuer applies, run a few transactions through xe.com/ccc and you can be sure.

Contrary to what Gsteed claims, there <u>are</u> a few issuers who don't make a penny on their cardholders using foreign currencies.

Yes, Capital One is about the best national company for transaction fees. No charge, and they swallow VISA/MC's 1% fee. No gimmicks, and no hidden increased rates/charges, but for the very GOOD business reason of attracting the loyalty of more affluent international travelers. It brings them more business. It certainly works for me. Other small banks/regionals do so for the same reasons,so check out your local banks before you travel. Research info at bankrate:
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/cc/20050624b1.asp