Quote:
Originally Posted by saratoga mdude
M1-- congrats and thanks so much for the great writeup. I am takin ED of a 1m end of October; my first trip to europe in 8 years. last time i went, i got euros in country by exchanging amex travelers checks at the local amex office (Rome). I understand (I think you discussed this somewhere in your writeup)there is s better way for ED, esp. if you have a bank of america atm card. Can you confirm that there is a deutsche bank atm in th airport that will allow you to take 150-200 euro at a time, and if you use a BoA atm/debit card you pay no fee? do i need to see my local branch to get the card "authortized" to work in europe (or else they will think it's stolen? is there anything else I should know about? i'm taking my son, and if i run into currency problems my wife will never forgive me.... thanks, John
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Europe is a CASH BASED economy. you may want to let your bank or CC company know you are travelling. I have citibank and i have NOT notified them on two trips and never had an issue. I also use CHASE for my bank and no issues there... but then again.. it's my bank I get cash from... I assume once you enter your PIN to get CASH in Europe they will know it is you. It's Credit card companies that may get weirded out.
I believe most ATMS allow 50, 100, 150.200, 300 and 500 Euros to be withdrawn. Note that the min key amount of $50 is close to $70 US! 200 Euros is about $286.00 from your own bank here in the US.
I took out my cash in 200 Euro Amounts. Check with your bank to see what fees you may have to pay and also note that the ATM may also get fees.
Note that meals are going to run you about 15-30 Euros per person. Meals are not cheap! Generally you will pay CASH for meals and use your CREDIT card at the only places that really accept it, which is Gas stations and hotels. Most restaurants and other businesses not in an airport will not accept credit cards. Note that Tax and tip is included with your meals... and price in Euro includes 16% tip at restaurants. So.. if your meal is 48.40 euros then that's what you pay the waiter. if you want to throw in the extra 1.6 and give the waaiter a 50 euro note then you are adding ADDITIONAL tip.