Repost Steve Peters, spp1680 at gmail.com Hi Nancy,
I've been looking into this too, as I head off to Faial & Pico on June 22. It really is worth going in and talking to someone at your bank to figure out how they handle all this stuff, as each bank is different. A couple of other things I've found out: My bank charges 3% on all foreign ATM withdrawals using my debt card, along with the usual fee for using an out-of-network ATM. If I use my credit card, they charge the same 3% (and ATM fee if I use one) + another 3% for a "cash advance". Any credit card purchase made at a store or restaurant or whatever is also considered a cash advance and carries this extra 3% fee. So it makes the most sense to use the debit card, and to take out large amounts each time to minimize the number of withdrawals/fees. Save the credit card only for times when you absolutely need it, like renting a car. But: I can order Euros through my bank at no charge with a week or so lead time. So I plan to take a bunch of Euros with me and then only use my debit card at ATMs if I run out. I won't even bother with traveler's checks. I assume when you make a debit withdrawal from an ATM that they charge you the lowest exchange rate available on that day, but as someone else said, the day they run the charge may be later than when you make the withdrawal, so this may not be entirely accurate. Have a great trip! -- To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. Follow the confirmation directions when they arrive. For more options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership."
