Cash access in Italy

Charlotte,
This should help http://flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php/Credit/Debit/ATM_Cards_and_Foreign_Exchange

Set up an account at a credit union after inquiring about their foreign currency transaction fees (answer should be none).

I've been very pleased with the Schwab Banking account debit/ATM Visa card account. Reimbursed for ATM fees anywhere in the world, no currency conversion fees (inc the 1% Visa fee), never had a problem with acceptance, good customer service, activity shows up immediately on their web site and app. I think it pays .5% interest, which is not too bad these days. www.schwab.com I use this for cash, and I use Cap One's credit card for everything else.

The ATM machines in europe operate just fine. However, your card is taken inside it (not swiped) so there is always that thrill of wondering if your card will come back out! Thankfully, ours always have. But to be safe we have 2 cards for our bank acct. And,, we open a second acct just so we have 2 separate sets of atm cards. Also, I carry Visa my wife has M.Charge. If one of us loses purse or wallet, the other person has a completey different set and Be sure to let your bank and credit card company know your travel dates. Use a money belt!

Open up a Capitol One Checking account. There are no transaction fees for ATM withdrawals in Europe. If you use in the US you are reimbursed automatically for any fees charged by any ATM/bank. (I think it's up to 10 per month). I actually do an automatic payroll deposit into our "vacation" account, so when it's time for a vacation, the funds are ready to go.

I have a CapOne money market ATM card that I have not really used yet. I was funding it for use in Italy and France. Do you know if the card will still be viable in those countries? I did not hear about CapOne MM cards being discontinued.

Thanks for the responses. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I would call capital one. I was given the information on Tuesday, over the phone, that this offer is no longer valid.

Two money accessing strategies we use with the ATM machine is to only use an ATM attached to a bank and only during business hours. If the machine eats the card we can go inside to retrieve it. We never use a stand alone ATM because it could be tampered with more easily compromising our account's security. We are not paranoid, just vigilant. Buon viaggio,

You might look into USAA. My understanding is that they no longer require a military connection for their banking product. They charge a 1% foreign transaction fee on their ATM card. They have excellent customer service and I've had no problem using my card overseas.

Charlotte, I called CapitalOne about my Money Market CapitalOne card and they assured me that the card absolutely can and should be used in Europe. Since I have only tested the card out once for a small withdrawal here in Seattle, I will do so again to be sure before I leave. She said so long as you use a Cirrus ATM, there would be no fees from CapitalOne. The lady was very concerned that information is getting out that is not correct and wanted some verification of where I had heard that news. I did not reveal anything except that it was posted on a travel helpline. I will report my experience after I return from Europe but am confident the card will work. I, of course, have back up funds in a different account and credit cards that I can fall back on in an emergency. Linda

CapitalOne is no longer doing new Money Market accounts like that, but if you already have one, you're golden. I'm glad we set one up four years ago.