Originally Posted by
seoulmanjr
I have an HSBC account that I just use for international ATMs -- they really are everywhere, I get the best rate, and it's safer than carrying cash.
The only time that doesn't work is when I'm travelling somewhere where HSBC doesn't have an ATM in an airport (or there are no ATMs at all at the airport), like Bangladesh. In those cases, getting cash in advance isn't an option because the currencies aren't stocked here in the US, so I just go to a moneychanger on arrival and argue endlessly about not wanting to accept worn bills and fight to get the denominations I want at the right rate.
peace,
~Ben~
Just to echo seoulmanjr, I also have an HSBC account and have used it in both the UK and in Hongkong without having to pay any fees. I remember calculating the implied exchanged rate and having it be very close to the printed rate.
If you ever do need to go through moneychangers, I suggest carrying $100 bills that are both crisp and have the most recent year printed on them. They gave me a hard time in Africa with even crisp bills that were a few years old - I'm guessing they're afraid of counterfeiting.