Eddie, you're right. I just received my credit card statement and see one of the hostels ("hostales") at which I'm staying charged my CC already. This in itself is fine - I gave them permission. The interesting thing is that my credit card company, Chase, itemized the transaction, charging me the cost of the room in pesetas and showed that, showed the conversion in US Dollars (at the September 11th rate <almost> of 191.1pts to $1), and then showed the FOREIGN TRANSFER FEE amount which was just under 2% of the total amount charged. Not too bad I suppose. Still better than getting that lower "traveller's checks" exchange rate at banks AND THEN getting charged a commission fee on top of that.

Saludos, MadridMan