Originally Posted by
biggestbopper
Those Amex Travelers checks are looking better and better. At least I don't have to go to the one Citi office in France to use 'em.

You could always just use any ATM (i.e. HSBC) and pay the fee. I have never been hit with a fee by Citi of more than $3 total for a foreign currency withdrawal from a non-Citi ATM.
I think you still get the best rate with ATMs, even if you have to pay a transaction fee.