ATM's and fees

[PeterLynn]

Usually we get a bunch of Euros from Chase the week or two ahead, even with the lousy exchange rate. Peace of mind and all of that. This year we had some leftover from a fall trip to France so we are now drawing off the ATM's. A couple of notes to pass along. We are using our Fidelity debit card which doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee for starters. A year ago and again in France we discovered that Caisse d'Epargne doesn't charge an ATM fee either. Win win. This trip, we stopped at their ATM across from Pearl Beach. A new screen popped up informing of a 12.95% exchange rate fee. Assuming to reject this would cancel the transaction I accepted it. Result was 30 Euros at a 1.34 exchange rate! Next day we stopped at the LCL across from the airport and the CA in Lorient at the gas station and they both wanted a 6 euro fee. Went back to the Cassie d'Epargne and pressed the "Decline" option to see what happens and voila, 30 euros was sent to Fidelity which used the current market rate. Haven't tried to ATM's Gustavia yet. Attaching a shot of the screen in question.

 

[cassidain]

wow ! like a currency sucker board !

 

[cassidain]

imho, a 6€ service fee for a few hundred euro withdraw is reasonable.

 

[cec1]

imho, a 6€ service fee for a few hundred euro withdraw is reasonable.

I’m with Cass . . . a 6E fee is a deal. I used ”Cepac” (Caisse d'Epargne) earlier in the week & was shocked at its exchange rate / fee (& I’m a longtime client!). I haven’t tried it lately, but the best deal in terms of exchange rate & transaction fee used to be at a terminal on the wall of the Post Office in Gustavia. I guess it’s time to try it again.

 

[elgreaux]

I use LCL and decline the conversion, accept the 6 euro fee. Works out okay...

 

[Popeyeskid]

I have a Capital One 360 checking account. I use the BNP. No conversion fee and no ATM fee.

 

[davesmom]

I use the LCL near Le Select and used it in St-Tropez and have had excellent luck so far. 6 E is not worth my time to run around, so I just consider it a convenience.