If you have an investment account, or have a little cash lying around to open one, check with your brokerage firm, as you may get a better rate. My bank, credit union, and credit cards all charge fees for overseas withdrawels, but my broker (TD Waterhouse) charges nothing, nada, zip. And the exchange rate is as good as any bank rate. This allows me to only take out what I need for a couple of days, and I never have to worry about the fees if I just need a few more euros or pounds for last minute purchases on my way out of the country.

It's not necessary to be trading stocks to get this kind of account. You can always put the money into interest free money markets, so your travel cash builds by a few extra pennies between trips.

Michele Oakland, CA