Neil Williams wrote to uk.transport.london on Tue, 26 Apr 2005:

I've never tried in the US, but I have, however, successfully used
British cards to withdraw cash in Germany, Austria and the Czech
Republic, mind, and in no case were charges particularly excessive.

I've used them in the USA and had no problem. Bank debit cards that can
be read at home are probably the easiest - I've used these in the USA,
Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium and other European countries, both
pre- and post- the introduction of the Euro.
--
"Mrs Redboots"
http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/
Website updated 3 April 2005