My daughter was there in 2000, and I believe the ATM charges were around $5.00. She actually didn't use the ATM that much. Instead, she charged everything she could in each country she visited. The exchange rate is better, and she didn't have any surprises, because she calculated each charge as she went. It worked out great.

If I use an ATM that is not owned by my bank, my bank charges me $2.50 and there is always an additional fee of $1.50 from the other bank's ATM - so I end up paying $4.00 per transaction - and that is here in the U.S. We have a two week trip coming up on the east coast and we plan to put everything we can on the card and try to keep those ATM transactions to a minimum since our bank is not on the east coast. I find travelers checks a pain and I think it can be dangerous to carry around a lot of cash - its hard to know what to do.

I did as McLena and Cattknap did - put all the purchases I could on a credit card (actually, it was a debit card with the Visa endorsement), and took out cash only twice within a two-week period. I figured that the bank charges were a small price to pay for the good exchange rate and not having to make it to the bank during operating hours and wait in line.

I don't know how it is in France, but here if I withdraw money from my American account, only my American bank charges me - not the Swiss one (smaller Swiss banks DO charge a fee for foreign withdrawals). I would suggest taking money only from larger banks (in Switz UBS and Credit Suisse) and not the smaller ones who charge for every push of a button. Have a great time!

Just remember, travellers checks are not always that useful. You pay a 1%-2% fee to buy them and a fee to exchange them into the foreign currency (since about the ONLY place that readily accepts them is your hotel). When you account for these fees it may be better for you to just use the ATM machine, unless you happen to lose things easily.

Re: traveller checks, if you get them in the denomination of your destination country you do NOT have to pay a fee to cash them. Since you go to France you'd get the checks in Euros and thus could use them in most European countries. The only problem is that most stores won't accept them. However, you can go to a bank and cash as much as you need for a few days to make sure you don't carry too much cash (thereby defeating the purpose of cheques). I lost all my american express cheques in Melbourne, Australia many years ago and just walked into an american express bank, showed my list of cheque numbers and walked out with the cash. It was that easy. I sure was glad to have cheques.

Call your bank to ask what fees you can expect (it does vary from bank to bank). Also inquire with your credit cards what exchange rate they are using and what fee they are adding - e.g. Amex adds 1 or 2% above the bank rate. Unfortunately not all credit card companies will tell you (actually I think it is a lack of knowledge of the staff). So, avoid any that cannot tell you exactly (obviously the exchange rate will vary, but they should be able to tell you what percentage fee they add on).

I travel frequently to Europe and really like the traveller cheques best. (chase manhatten used to sell them over the internet but I think they discontinued this service)

Hope this helps.
Maria

Get your travellers cheques in the currency of the country you are travelling in. American Express used to carry them, call ahead to let them know how much you will be needing. I usually exchange USD before departing at Thomas Cook for cab fare, small purchases, etc. Upon arrival, I put everything on my credit card, the rate of exchange is better. If you feel better with cash, go into one of the banks for a better rate of exchange than one of the many kiosks. Provided this is convenient for you to do so.

Best exchange rate,better than Citibank Visa which is 3%, only charged about $1 on $100 withdrawal.

if you get traveler's checks at aaa, and you are a member, and then cash them at the amex office at your destination, they are entirely free of chrges!

I was in France in June of 2001 and I was charged $2. for every time I used the ATM.

The third day there when we went to use the ATM it didn't work. Other people were using it, but it wouldn't work with either of our cards. We had credit cards and $500. in traveler's check. We were very worried as we had 19 days in Europe ahead of us. It was a Sunday, so we couldn't even go to a bank. We only had about $15. worth of French Francs.

The next day we called the Cirrus system in the US. Turns out there was a flood in Houston and the whole system was down. I guess the other ATM system was working and that is why other people could use the machines. I was glad to have the traveler's checks, as it was down for another day.

Basicly, I think the best way to go is to use ATMs, but bring some traveler's checks. Check with your bank about the charges. Also bring 2 credit cards( not Discover-no good there) and don't keep them all in the same place. I used a money belt.

Anoher warning: Our best exchange rate is by charging everything possible on our Visa card which we always pay in full. BUT, check with your bank before you leave the country to decide which card to use. We had one Bank of America Visa card that started charging a fee for foreign transactions (a percentage of the purchase). That was an $80 shock at the bottom of our statement that month (not a "nominal" fee).

I was in France a year ago and was not charged any fee at all to use the ATM. I went to both Credit Agricole and Credit Lyonnais ATMs. I have an account with a credit union.

Our credit card DID charge us an additional foreign use fee. I wasn't that thrilled with that.

Make sure you let your credit card companies know that you will be traveling in Europe.