Using cash, credit cards, travelers cks in N. Italy & fees

Don't bring travelers checks, they're becoming obsolete and most places don't want to accept them. The biggest "tack on" is the local taxes, which are substantial in Europe. When you're comparing hotels, make sure the rate you're looking at includes all taxes. Aside from that, in my experience it's rare to run into unforeseen or undisclosed fees. Most people on this board use credit cards to pay large bills when traveling, and cash for smaller bills. People usually use their American ATM/debit cards to get local currency from ATM's in Europe.

Our experience with hotels in Europe is the reverse of the US. In the US they quote a price and then tack on 10 to 20% in taxes and fees. That doesn't happen in Europe. The price quote is the total price. However, recently have seen a few times with a tourist tax of one or two euro are added. Travelers checks have been dead for 10 years or more. Too much fraud and abuse. Don't bring them. They will be hard and very expensive to cash. No body wants them. The cheapest and most convenient way to obtain cash is via a debit card at an ATM.

Travelers checks have not been recommended on this site for several years now. It's one of the few things everyone here seems to agree on.

Perhaps what you mean is does the credit card tack on a fee? Depends. A few cards have no foreign fees but most have 1-3% foreign exchange fees. The hotel should not be adding any fees for using a credit card. But some will give discounts for paying cash. You can ask up front about that. Travelers checks have almost no value in Europe. Don't bother to bring them. For cash use your ATM card from your checking account.

You should read Rick's thoughts on the subject. Happy travels.

The toujrist-tax of 2 euro or so is relatively new (since July 2011). It's always (in my experience) listed separately on the bill. My Amex card charges a percentage of the total for a foreign transaction fee. Capital One does not, and I think Bank of America doesn't, either. It might depend on the level of your card. Overall, travelers checks cost more than cash, and as has been posted, no one wants them. Be sure to notify your bank/credit card companies that you'll be making purchases out of the country, and try to have your bank raise your daily limit on withdrawals so you don't have to run to the ATM nearly every day.

Don't get travelers checks, you will never get rid of them!

Leave the travelers checks at home and use a bank ATM card linked to your checking account. Some credit cards do not charge the foreign transaction fee and others will, which can be 1% to 3%. Buon viaggio,

To add to Zoe's response: Some Bank of America cards don't add a foreign transaction fee; some do. I have several BOA cards - it didn't start out that way, but a bunch of banks merged with or were taken over by them, resulting in the multiple cards - and only one doesn't charge a fee. I have pretty much switched to a Capital One Venture card to avoid the problem.

The hotel itself will not add a fee for payment by credit card, but many will offer a discount if you pay in cash. Get your cash at ATM's. Traveler's checks are dinosaurs.