I'm sensing Wachovia wants to build a taller building in Charlotte, just a bit taller than the BofA building.

See if you can transfer your account to a credit union.

Ask the hotels if they will take a check so you don't have to carry as much cash. They must be used to this type of question if they don't want to take credit cards.

Citibank doesn't charge any ATM fees for using a non-Citi ATM on higher balance account packages, starting with a $6000 combined balance. You don't have to keep all of it in a checking account. It can be a combination of various Citi products. To see the options available, go to https://web.da-us.citibank.com/cgi-b...seBVCookie=yes

They frequently have some type of bonus offer for opening an account online and using their free bill pay service. Last year my sister received $150 for opening a new Citi checking account and paying a couple of bills online.

There's currently a $200 offer (but requires you to use their bill pay service for a full 12 months to get the full bonus) -

http://citi.bridgetrack.com/cbol/msn...B59F5DAEF16E36

The bonus is considered taxable interest.

For Citi you don;t have to keep more than $1 in your checking account. You just have to have a minimum balance - I think $6,000/$7,000 in something (day to day savings, CDs, IRAs, investments - anything). For this you get free access to your money via ATM (from the Citi end), free checking and free credit card.

And since you have to keep you emergency money fund and little CDs somewhere - why not someplace you get a benefit for it?

Anonymous,

Yes, I plan on using my PayPal most of the time (especially because I get cash back) but I was talking about when I need cash. With Paypal you can only take out $300 a day.

Mike T,
I already agreed that paying to use another banks ATM is not a problem! I understand why they would charge ... but what are the fees my bank charges to use another ATM going for?


As far as taking out a large sum before I go...that won't work because I will be in Canada first.

Anyway, thanks for all the replies.

Actually, there IS a $1 charge for using your PayPal debit card at an ATM, and the daily limit for most people is $400, not $300. I never keep that much in my PP account though.

If I'm traveling, especially a buying trip, I will request that Wachovia (in this case) change my daily withdrawal limit for the time I will be gone. You used to be able to change this yourself in on-line banking, but can't do that any more.

B/

I'd just like to make a little plug for credit unions. I bank with a large cu here in MA. Not only do they not charge me for using their ATMs, or ATMs on the SUM network, they also cover up to $4 or $5 worth of fees from other banks who charge me for using THEIR ATMs. They started this because the SUM ATMs aren't as common around here as, say, Bank of America. Personally, I think credit unions are great. They are non-profits, run for the benefit of their members, so they don't charge me fees for much of anything. So, if you are thinking of changing banks, try a credit union.