My bank quoted the rate as 1.3896 as of 2 days ago.Isn't that good?

No - today's rate is about 6.5 cents per euro less than that.

Which means that for every 100 Euros you buy in the US it cost you about an extra $7.

I just checked my statement from our Christmas trip to Rome. Bank of America charged us 1%, the ATMs charged an additional $5 per transaction. There were no additional fees or charges when doing straight purchases.

To be honest, I do not find this objectionable. We all spend a fair amount to travel and yes we want our funds to stretch, but I'd rather pay 5-10 bucks every couple of days than to carry around a pocket full of cash.

dave

Ok, I get it. I'll use ATM when we get there, making sure it's a good rate with minimal transaction fee.
Thanks!

If you're able to get a "Deutsche Bank Sparcard", (as a EU resident you will get the card for free), no obligations, no transaction fees or other fees, interbank rate at all the cooperation partners and DB ATMs worldwide. If you want to transfer Euros abroad, you won't leave one single cent to the bank. Interest is low, so only use it for transferring funds! http://www.deutsche-bank.de/pbc/cont...-sparcard.html

It won't get any better than that.

Budman:

I'm confused (as I often am, unfortunately). You mention that you "disabled" the Visa portion of your card and just use the debit card feature. I have read on other threads that the debit card feature is the one that is subject to abuse and fraud. It was mentioned that someone came back from a trip to find that their checking account had been wiped out because of that debit card feature.

Please explain the differences, if you will.

Thanks for your help!

I use Bank of America and the 1% and $5.00 each transaction sounds good to me

<i>You mention that you &quot;disabled&quot; the Visa portion of your card and just use the debit card feature.</i>

I'm sorry for any confusion, and I probably misspoke. When I disabled the Visa portion of the card, I can only use the card as an ATM card with a PIN or wherever I can make a purchase and insert a PIN. My local grocery store lets me purchase using my ATM card w/PIN and get up to $50 cash back.

I guess the key word is &quot;PIN&quot; required to use the card. ((b))

&gt;&quot;disabled&quot; the Visa portion of your card and just use the debit card feature
That's more difficult when you use it in EU countries. You can either use you PIN OR sign using only the debit card feature.

Regarding the Debit card (with VISA logo) vs. ATM card issue:

I have refused a debit card from my last 3 banks and simply requested an ATM card that will only work with a PIN. My ATM-only card does not have a VISA logo, and looks exactly like the ATM cards from 15 years ago. Saves me the headache of someone wiping out my account here or elsewhere. In paper, you are not liable for any unauthorized charges. But I think it's a pain to have all your money taken out and having to call, etc. So, I recommend that unless you have a very good reason for having a Debit card, to call your local bank and request an ATM card.

logos999: &quot;<i>That's more difficult when you use it in EU countries. You can either use you PIN OR sign using only the debit card feature</i>&quot;

You are confusing a credit card w/ an ATM card.

Our (US) cash cards have a visa logo on them so they can be used as ATM cards or as a debit &quot;credit card&quot; to make purchases. Budman deactivated the visa logo so all it is good for is to get cash out of the wall. An ATM-only card works the same in Europe as in the States - as long as it has theh plus, cirrus, etc symbols on the back.

No &quot;signing&quot; involved . . . .

&gt;No &quot;signing&quot; involved
Yes, you can either sign, using Maestro/Cirrus or use the PIN, it depends on the store, more often I use debit card plus signing, some shops want the PIN. With credit cards I always have to sign, execpt for ATMs (who would have guessed :-) ) and &quot;die Bahn&quot; ticket machines.

No - you still don't get what budman is talking about. He <u>diabled</u> the visa function and doesn't use the card in stores to make purchases. It is only used as an ATM w/ a PIN to get cash out of a machine.

But you can still use the card over here in a store, sign and pay for your purchases using Maestro/Cirrus, no &quot;Visa function&quot; needed. Simple &quot;ATM only&quot; Maestro/Cirrus cards are accepted at the local supermarket. So maybe I don't understand...

janisj is correct. I am finding more &amp; more that some stores in the U.S. are allowing the use of an ATM card to make purchases and providing the card machine at the register. But, it still requires a PIN -- no signature. ((b))

You should try you ATM card over here, you may find it works. You use the card either with your PIN or by signing. I do it every day and for years :-). It is not a Visa or Mastercard!

I even used my Maestro banking card in Australia.

Budman: Yes - like at supermarkets, supercuts etc

(I was just trying to simplify the explanation to show you intended it to be ATM-only and require a PIN so it would be more secure when traveling)

This is scary :D Please do try it, you will find it works abroad with only signing. A Maestro/Cirrus logo is all it needs to be accepted.