Money-Saving European Travel Tips

Continued from: Page 7

ABOVE: An ATM in Heidelberg, Germany.

TIP 7: Watch for hidden ATM, credit-card, and exchange fees.

Cards:

Many banks and credit-card issuers are now gouging their customers with "conversion fees" and other surcharges on foreign transactions.

Also, prepaid "traveler's cheque cards" can make you feel like the victim of a Parisian pickpocket when you see how little money is left over after you've paid the fees.

Cash:

Currency-exchange commissions and fees can be mind-boggling, so get your cash from ATMs when you can. (In late 2007, a Travelex office in Venice was charging a 8.5% commission to change U.S. dollars or pounds sterling into euros, plus a €3,50 handling fee.)

Also, take claims of "no commission" with a grain of salt: The exchange counter may not be itemizing its percentage, but you can be sure that a hefty profit margin is built into the quoted exchange rate.

More info:

To learn about unconscionable fees and how to avoid them, read my articles about money for travelers before leaving home.