All of the above is very interesting since the CC companies have long promoted the "fact" that you will get the "best exchange rate" when you simply use their cards to charge your purchases. The fact that they have an up-charge and then hide it in the posted total is simply deceptive.

So, ignoring the mileage issue, what's the best solution? AMEX?, travelers checks?, cash from an overseas ATM? Local money changers? (I don't have an MBNA card and am leaving for Italy/France shortly)