Changeing Currency for Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona

Forget the travelers checks. Very difficult to cash. Many places don't accept them. Atms are easy and the cheapest way to get money. Just let your bank know that you will be travelling abroad. Make sure you have a 4 digit pin number.

If you need convincing that using ATMs is the way to go, read this article by Rick Steves. If you wish, take some traveler's checks for an emergency; but plan to bring them home unspent.

Remember those old American Express commercials with Karl Malden: "Don't leave home without them!". Well it turns out you CAN now leave home without them. I suspect even AE feels this way; I can't remember the last time I saw one of these pitches on TV:

What do you mean " same goes for ATM's". I have been on many forums, and I travel to Europe almost every summer now,, and I have never heard anyone same that using an ATM was a "hassle"..

ATMs are the way to go. I take out my limit every few days,, put bulk in my hotel safe, and walk around with my money for each day. I prefer using cash for most purchases and only use my Credit cards for large outlays ( a fancy dinner) and for my hotel bills and train ticket.

Travellers checks went out many years ago.. I used my last one over 15 yrs ago in Europe.

Do you realize that you don't have to change currency between your 3 cities? You'll use Euros for all of them.

Merchant here in the US don't want travelers checks because of the fraud/counterfeit issues. Same goes for Europe. Use ATMs, and call your banks now to let them know you'll be using your cards there.

Using the ATM machines couldn't be easier. They usually give a language option so you can follow the directions in English. I have not been to Barcelona, but I have been to Paris & Amsterdam twice. As a matter of fact, I was just there for the holidays. We flew into Amsterdam and I went to an ATM at the airport for money. You will use Euros in all three countries. Just remember to notify your bank and credit card company that you will be gone, where and for how long. Even though I did that, my credit union still froze my debit card. Luckily I brought cards for two accounts. I called them and they apologized and took care of it. I would suggest you bring the phone number for the bank and credit card fraud departments, just in case that happens to you. You will need your PIN number at ATM's, but not to make purchases. I've heard (don't know if it's true) that there may be a problem using a PIN that starts with a 0. Have a fantastic trip!

My PIN starts with 0 and I've used my ATM card successfully in Ireland, Spain, China, and Costa Rica. No problem.

I think the advice about not having a pin number starting with zero was valid once. Every time this advice is posted, the next posting is, "My card starts with a zero and it works fine." Probably not true today but why take a chance since pin numbers are easy to change. 'Cause the last place you want to be is in front of an ATM machine and you pin doesn't work.

I spent a month in Amsterdam studying in the summer of 2007 and exclusively used ATMs. They are all over the place. Compared to the hassle of changing traveler's checks, I'll never go back.

I changed money in the states so that I'd leave with $100. It was unnecessary as there is ATMs in the airport. I really didn't need to give Wells Fargo the extra they charge for changing money. I also took $500 in travelers checks with me in case my card was eaten by a machine. I just ended up putting the money back in my account when I got home.

I'm going to France at the beginning of April with my daughter and haven't given even one second of thought as to getting any Euros before I go. We'll land at CDG in Roissy. I'll find an ATM and we'll be all set.

Abraham, your subject matter "Changing Currency for Amsterdam, Paris, and Barcelona" threw me. As everyone has advised, ATMs are the only way to go. Traveler checks are a nuisance and some places won't even take them. You actually have to go to a bank during banking hours and cash them. I'm sure you realize all your destinations use the euro and you do have to worry about different currencies in each city/country. Happy travels. Oh, yes, again as advised tell your bank you are going to Europe, take a duplicate ATM card in case one is damaged, and have a 4 digit pin number.

For those wondering about the "no leading zero" advice -- that was a peculiarity of the old eurocheque debit card system.
It became obsolete 1997 with the 2nd ec debit card system

Specifically about France, credit/debit card is the most common method of payment for anyting beyond 15 euros and certainly all restaurant, hotel or other gift purchases can be done by card, without need to carry large amounts of cash. Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere, Amex not always.

Cash is for coffee, baguette and postcards.

Just be careful about your bank charges - if there are minimums then you're probably better off withdrawing cash.