Anyone used AAA Visa Money car5d?

Jack, I don't see any advantage. You can do the same thing for free by having a separate account with an ATM card -- preferably at a different bank than your other accounts. That way your travel money isn't tied to your "real" money in any way. In an emergency, someone at home could add money to your account, too. I'm not sure that's possible with a prepaid debit card.

Jack,
I haven't used them, but i'm considering using the same prepaid AAA cards next summer. I'd prefer to have as little of my personal info with me as possible. Still will take a trusty credit card though!

Two problems with the preloaded cards -- check your rates very carefully but the AAA card I looked charged about 15% for the conversion.

Second, it has been reported that finding terminal to accept these card can be difficult. Not sure what the concern is about personal information? Debit cards do not contain much personal information.

The cost ends up being more than $4.95. According to this recent article in the Seattle Times, the AAA Visa Money Card is not a good deal.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2003907603_pucci30.html

In part, the article states:
There's a $4.95 activation fee, a $2 charge for international ATM withdrawals, a 7 percent surcharge on the interbank rate and restrictions on some types of purchases. As of February, the conversion surcharge will drop to 3 percent, when AAA switches vendors, but the fee for international ATM withdrawals will increase to $3.

AAA promotes the cards as the plastic version of paper travelers checks, but the cost of using them is higher, and unlike travelers checks, which can be purchased and used in small denominations, the prepaid cards are designed to be loaded with large amounts of cash up front. Lose the card and you're out everything until the reimbursement comes through.

Nancy... are you recommending someone to open up a different account at a bank for the purpose of getting a debit card from that bank and then putting your money for traveling only in that account? I am trying to figure out the best way to have two debit cards available for me when I travel because I have read so much info. on the fact that sometimes one won't work at a certain atm machine whereas sometimes a different one will. We have two bank accounts already and I only want to bring my bank of america since there would be no fees if you use the affiliate for their bank in Europe. However, I don't want to use the other of our accounts, so is it a good idea to open up one just for that trip and then what would you do after, close it? I am thinking this may not be good for one's credit to open and close bank accounts like that. How do other people handle this situation? Any idea's?

Yes, that's exactly what I'm suggesting -- an account at a separate bank or credit union. That way your travel money is separate from any other accounts you have at your regular bank, and you have an additional ATM card to try in case one doesn't work. I bank generally at a small local credit union and have never had a problem using their ATM card at any ATM I've tried in the UK, Ireland, Spain, or China. But I also carry an additional ATM card from my other account just in case. You could close it after the trip, but I don't. I keep my vacation "savings" in it all the time. My local credit union ATM card charges no fees, either, so it's possible that many don't. Opening and closing bank accounts doesn't affect your credit rating, in any case.

I have a tendency to be a little paranoia about having access to money in Europe. So --- We have two debit cards tied to two different checking accounts, and three credit cards -- one in each name and one joint. Also carry $200 as back up cash. In about 300 days of travel I have never had to test my system. The one debit card and one credit card have always worked. I think you need to have backup plans but credit and debit usage is very dependable in Europe. On a very few occasions we have found a ATM that didn't work the next one always did.

Thank you for all the comments.I didnt think it was a good deal but the AAA person wanted to make me think it was great.Tyme cards work well.