<p>
That is changing - some European banks now charge atm fees.</p>
<p>Just got back from 2 1/2 weeks mostly in Italy. I used our Schwab Bank ATM card because they reimburse ATM fees and do not charge a foreign exchange fee. Worked great, and I think they gave me a very fair fx rate. I used it for multiple ATM withdrawals (Euro was $1.31 at the beginning of our trip and $1.27 at the end. Was $1.25 late last week) and I also used it with the train ticket selling machines. </p>
<p>I looked at the transactions online and did not see any ATM fees to reimburse, only the dollars withdrawn from my account, and when I divided by the Euros I got from the ATM it looked like they gave me a good rate. </p>
<p>I didn’t bring any Euros with me just hit the first ATM machine along the way. It worked very well and was easy, convenient and cost effective.</p>
<p>My son was using a BofA debit card and it was really annoying. Every time he used it I saw a $5 fee and a $3 something fee. I wasn’t sure who was charging what, it could have been an ATM fee plus an fx fee. AND, they limited his withdrawal to 250 Euros, so he had to pay $8+ in fees for every 250 Euros! I hand delivered him his Schwab debit card.</p>
<p>We have both Schwab debit & Capitol One credit card. Both are said to have no ATM fees and no foreign transaction fees. We plan to get cards in the kids names if they travel abroad. S may pre-empt us & do it himself, as he’s been independent now for nearly a year, has excellent credit & several cards in his own name.</p>
<p>Thanks, d#1. Leaves Monday. All packed up. So excited! Reminds me of my first trip abroad!
PRICELESS!!!
Thanx!!! Siblings leave Thursday looking forward to reading can’t wait to hear about their adventures!!!</p>
<p>Thanx everyone!’!</p>
<p>Bummer, we were all set to get a Capital One card for daughter who will be doing her study abroad this fall, however things have changed. Capital One bought ING and all the bank accounts will be done through ING. They no longer offer free ATM fees :(</p>
<p>I guess we will go with Schwab </p>
<p>I was surprised to “discover” that the Discovercared is being more widely accepted in Europe and has no international fee.</p>
<p>Wow, hadn’t read/heard about this change with CapitolOne. I still love it because we have a business card & have been getting 2% cash back on all charges. Maybe we best hurry & use it before they change those terms as well. We were planning to charge D’s tuition and put some funds into H’s retirement account using the credit card–both places take credit cards.</p>
<p>We do have Schwab debit cards, which as has been said reimburse for ATM fees and also give no foreign exchange fees. S was delighted to use it when he was traveling out of country.</p>
<p>artrell, I think there is some confusion here about Capitol One cards. When we speak about the Capitol One card not having any forex fees, we are speaking about their CREDIT card, not debit card. I’ve had their credit card for over 2 decades, and I never have any bank accounts there.</p>
<p>For debit cards, Schwab is the best since they reimburse all ATM fees and their daily withdrawal limit is $1K, not $500 which is the limit that most other banks have.</p>
<p>Sorry, my mistake! I was talking about debit cards and ATM fees.</p>
<p>We have a Chase Sapphire, get points for trips and things bought. My daughter is an authoized user and she used it in Europe this Spring and will in UK for Fall. Bank of America has an affilitation with Barclay’s in UK so we might get an ATM with them for less fees. Her Wellsfargo has a lot of fees now. She got a 7.00 fee from them for dropping below a certain amount during the month, but only a 5.00 fee for using foreign ATM, still high, but the 7.00 fee (as of now) is not a part of BOA fees.</p>