The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: September fifth, with advice on ATMs abroad.

Automatic Teller Machines have replaced traveler's checks as the currency source of choice for people on the go, both in the U.S. and overseas. Machines affiliated with either of the two international systems, Mastercard's Cirrus and Visa's Plus, are in airports and on street corners around the globe. Both maintain Web sites that list locations worldwide. In addition to making foreign cash easy and convenient to obtain, ATMs generally provide the best legal exchange rates, even with sometimes hefty transaction fees.

That's the theory. Actual experience can be another matter. While both Cirrus and Plus tout the universality of their cards, machine operation and regulations vary from country to country and bank to bank. For example, machines in countries such as England only allow access to checking accounts. Any money in a savings account will be out of reach, with no transfers possible. And daily withdrawals are also limited to fixed amounts determined both by your home bank and the bank that operates the machine; systems may also have weekly limits to how much cash a cardholder can get. The cost of that cash can also vary. While the exchange rates are good, many banks charge fixed fees of $3 or more per transaction.

And of course, cards can be lost, stolen, damaged or demagnetized. Computer systems can crash just when you need their cash. ATMs generally make getting cash anywhere easier and cheaper, but you never know until you try. That's why smart travelers make sure they have other cash options whenever and wherever they go.

FMI For Mastercard/Cirrus ATMs visit www.mastercard.com, for Visa/Plus www.visa.com

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