lavache...there are times when the foreign bank atm makes me acknowledge a transaction fee before dispensing my money but i am not permanently nicked for this expense...
...sometimes that charge is indicated on my cyber statement when i go directly to a cybercafe & check on it... but is automatically taken off within a day...
...result is i have never paid a transaction fee of any sort...& it's a good thing because many foreign banks allow for really small redrawals,,some as small as $100
...currency exchange is another subject & not objected to by me as it seems well within the typical range of the open market...i also have to keep a minimum account in first republic...but it is only a couple of thousand
...i carry 6 atm cards with 2 different first names...from 3 different banks...2 are pluses & 1 is cirrus...each has once a day withdrawals up to $500
...carry 4 credit cards under 2 different first names from 2 banks...i change which ones i use according to the benefits offered
...the only things i carry one of is a passport with $500us inside...but i have a couple of reduced laminated copies of the passport...credit card size... did the same with my stateside driver's license....have never gotten an international driver's license as i've never encountered the need yet...
..where & how i safekeep these valuables keeps changing with the situation & i don't discuss these details on the road no matter how pissed i get
...
..