France; Learning Bank and Credit Card Fees Before Leaving Home

In preparing for a trip to Paris, I thought "how nice would it be to KNOW what I'd be charged for using my ATM card and credit cards ahead of time"? I've never looked into it before traveling abroad but this time I'm being much more responsible about it. Here's what I've found so far. I'm still waiting to hear back from Chase Visa, and I think I'll ask ING too.

Bank of America Says:

If you use your ATM card at a BNP Paribas ATM in France you will not be charged an access fee as it is a Global ATM Alliance bank. For your reference, while traveling outside the United States, you can avoid the access fee by using an ATM at the following banks in these locations:

- Barclays - United Kingdom
- BNP Paribas - France
- China Construction Bank - China
- Deutsche Bank ? Germany
- Santander Serfin - Mexico
- Scotiabank - Canada
- Westpac - Australia and New Zealand

Their current exchange rate for the Euro is $1.5339, and the current market rate is 1.450, according to xe.com. That means they are charging a 5.5% premium just for the privilege of exchanging currency at their bank. Seems high to me.

Bank of America Currency Exchange Rates


American Express Says:

I would like to inform you that we apply a currency conversion fee if you use your Card in some other country. We use the exchange rate of the day a charge is processed (plus a 2.7% fee assessed after the conversion rate is applied), not the rate of the day a charge is incurred.

Most charges are converted to billing currency using Interbank rates as reported by the Reuters information system. Foreign exchange rates not available on Reuters are established by contacting local banks or by referring to published Interbank, official or tourist rates.

All other foreign exchange rates are reported to us by local paying agents and are generally commercial bank rates, or the "Official Rate" where required by law. If the Reuters system is used, there is a cut off everyday at noon (Eastern Standard Time) for the daily rates.

I would suggest you to access the following link to make the conversion using the Interbank rate. However, it should only be used as a guide, as rates are subject to change.

http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic?user=americanexpress

Is there some kind of underground exchanage system that us little guys could use? Maybe find a friend in France and get him to send Euros in exchange for Dollars, at the current REAL exchange rate instead of the Bank of America rip-off rate?