Originally Posted by
txflyer77
To follow up with what I should've set in that first post:
Just get yourself a Charles Schwab debit card. Numerous threads on FT about it. The best way for the vast majority of Americans to access cash while abroad.
Originally Posted by
txflyer77
Schwab refunds third-party withdrawal fees, even the extortionate fees in Thailand. If you're a frequent traveler there's really no reason not to open an account there.
+1 on both of these points. It has never failed me (except one time in Tokyo when I didn't realize Visa Japan was a separate network than the rest of the Visa network so the Schwab card didn't process - so I had to find a Lawson's/711 to use insetad).
I can also co-sign the automatic refund of the extortionate fees in Thailand.
Open a Schwab card with confidence - it's a no-brainer if you don't already have no-FX, no-fee ATM access through another avenue.