Spain/Portugal/Gibraltar - Amex Trav Cheques...Travelex...ATM...Spain?

What's the best means to have readily-available currency without getting bombarded with excessive fees from providers?

I'm tempted to go the AMEX route, as it seems to be proven and safe, though I think the currency exchange rate at a booth/bank would be prohibitive.

I've done the ATM withdrawal in the past, and it seems like it might be another viable option.

What about Travelex and their Euro Cash passport card?

What's the best way?

You'll be spending Euros in Spain. If you take AmEx T/Chqs in $, you'll have commission, poorer exchange rates and probably a fee to deal with when you change them. Perhaps you will also pay a fee to buy them in the first place. (AmEx T/Cs in £ incur a %age fee to buy in the UK. I don't know if $ T/Cs also incur a fee.)

If you buy AmEx T/Cs in €, you will already have the poor exchange rate built in when you buy them and will almost certainly pay a fee to cash them. Note that it is increasingly difficult to find banks that will change them. The AmEx website does have a list of banks which are supposed to do so (but don't always).

It is many years since I last used T/Cs. I rely on my Visa Delta card which charges precisely 0.00% in fees and commission in Europe and uses regular interbank rates. Mine is a Nationwide (UK) card, though, which will almost certainly be difficult if not impossible for you to get. Most European banks do not surcharge for using their ATMs, unlike banks in the US.

May I suggest you check what your bank would charge for € cash transactions using their cards? I have read that some US banks offer low or nil surcharges, so it may be useful to shop around.

Whatever you do, DON'T use your credit card to get cash! You would be stung for huge amounts in surcharges and interest.

I haven't used the stored value cards, mainly because of their charges. Some charge for top ups, others don't; some charge for ATM use, others don't. Here's a link to some cards available in the UK: http://www.money.co.uk/prepaid-cards.htm
CaxtonFX is well spoken of: http://www.caxtonfxcard.com/money_co.asp?a_aid=CAXTMOUK&050d3755=55199ede

Perhaps there's a similar list of cards available in the US?

Good luck!

ATM Visa Delta (or Visa Debit in my case) every time for me. Interbank rates and no rip off low exchange rates instaed of commission etc. 24 hour banking. Also widely accepted instead of cash payments across Europe when used with 'Cip 'n' Pin'.

No doubt you are a well seasoned traveller but if I can offer some advice. if you go the Visa Debit / Delta card route It might be worth letting your bank know that you will be travelling off your normal route before trying to use the card in anger. I know that when some of my colleagues travelled into the US last year they found their cards (Visa) blocked for all use and received calls from their banks within 10 minutes asking about possible fraudulent use because their use differed from their usual travel patterns. Good service on their part but mildly frustrating for the customer.

Agree totally on the use of credit card visa. Expensive.

Assuming you have an American bank card, since your location seems to be Indianapolis, Bank of America waives its ATM fees at Banco Santander.

But I agree with the previous poster, tell your bank you're travelling before you leave.

Assuming you have an American bank card, since your location seems to be Indianapolis, Bank of America waives its ATM fees at Banco Santander.

But I agree with the previous poster, tell your bank you're travelling before you leave.

Are you sure they waive the fees for all Banco Santander atms's? On the website they only list Santander Serfin (Mexico)