changing dollars to euros for a trip: where?

[webazoid]

I'm gonna go to europe for a week soon. I have a chase rewards visa card and my bank of america atm card. I'll be flying out of Los Angeles. With this in mind, what can I do to get the best rate of change dollars to euros? So I go to BOFA and change it now? Wait til I arrive in Europe to change? I'll be in paris.

[franaissance]

I'm gonna go to europe for a week soon. I have a chase rewards visa card and my bank of america atm card. I'll be flying out of Los Angeles. With this in mind, what can I do to get the best rate of change dollars to euros? So I go to BOFA and change it now? Wait til I arrive in Europe to change? I'll be in paris.

You should probably change some money before you go so that you have a little when you arrive. I heard several years ago that using the ATM machines in Europe give the best rate. Check with your bank if you can use your bankcard at the ATM machines in Paris....

Another idea is to purchase AmEx Traveler's Checks and cash them in Paris as needed for cash. You can also use your charge in Paris which is also a decent exchange rate if I remember correctly.

You may get more replies if you post in the Travel section.

[DaMeat]

Yep, stick with the ATM card, usually credit cards charge an "exchange" fee and the exchange rates are so so... Don't do traveller's checks, they just seem to be a pain.
Course using an ATM you are limited to $400 a day or so... might be tight if you are paying for your hotel, etc... then just use the credit card...