BS: Using ATM's in another country

Subject: Using ATM's in another country
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 07:35 PM

On my recent trip to England, I converted dollars to pounds at a Gatwick airport bureau de change. After I got home, I was told that I probably could have used my ATM card at English banks to get pounds, which would have saved me the high commission involved in changing money at airports. Anyone know if that's true - if your bank card can be used in other countries? If so, this provides a big savings for travellers, and would make getting to intl music events a little more affordable.

chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 07:53 PM

Over the past six years, been in eight different countries.

In every situation, the ATM worked and provided immediate currency conversion, at the immediate rate. In the worst case, conversion charges for 500.00/US was 2.00 total

The TriLateral Commission has been able to fulfill Christ's "original-sin" ....they have "driven the money changers from the temple."

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: John Routledge
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 08:07 PM

I have used a UK ATM card for 3 years in Europe and Australasia and concur with Gargoyle.

Also the exchange rate at the ATM was always much better than the best Bank Rate on the day. John

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: 53
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 08:09 PM

that's nice to know. BOB

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: GUEST,SummerGirl
Date: 12 Nov 01 - 10:14 PM

From a banker:

ATM cards will not pull from a savings account abroad, only a checking account. I'm always sure to tell my customers that! And if you have a debit card (with the Visa or MasterCard symbol), you could always get a cash advance from your checking acct if there are no ATM's in the area (or the machine is down). I always find the conversion rate much better.

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: MudGuard
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 03:46 AM

I tested my German bank card successfully in these countries:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Greece, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.

The exchange rate is better because you get the rate for "virtual money", not for cash.

(don't know how to properly translate the German expressions "Devisen" and "Sorten". "Sorten" is cash, actual money; while "Devisen" is more or less virtual money, money that exists in computers on your account, but not in real bank notes...)

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 04:01 AM

I have used mine (UK) in Europe, the USA and the Caribean and concur with the above. I stopped changing money years ago and have used the ATM ever since. The Maestro and Cirusm symbols seem to indicate the machines I can use.

Only time it has failed me is the time I returned to Belgium, where I was working, from the UK, with no Belgian Francs at all only to find that the people who fill up the ATM's were on strike and I could get no money! Fortunately it only lasted a day and the driver of the Taxi I got from the airport quite happily accepted UK pounds. Phew!

But yes, in general, I would recommend this course of action to anyone. Works with credit cards as well btw but they charge interest from day 1 on cash withdrawals.

Cheers

Dave the wandering Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 07:01 AM

I believe the rate is lower than the daily exchange rates because it is at the wholesale rate the banks themselves get. I've been doing this since 1994 without any problems.

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: pavane
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 07:43 AM

Just one small note of warning- there are two sets of data on the card, one of which is used in the USA, and the other in the rest of the world. There is a VERY SMALL chance that it will work in one area and not in the other (but this should have been tested by the card supplier).

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 07:52 AM

Visa is more readily accepted in Europe than American Express or Master Card. The Visa credit card can also be used as a banking card; that enables you to write checks in some countries/businesses.

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 09:20 AM

I have used both a cash card and a Visa credit card in Britain and Ireland, and they worked beautifully. When you charge things in pounds, your bank bills you in dollars, and the exchange rate is very good. I recommend you ask your banker, though, before your next trip. There might be some odd kinds of cards out there that don't work in other countries.

One word of caution, though. If you lose your credit card abroad, it's not so easy cancel it and get a replacement. My wallet was lifted on the London tube, and it was a nightmare until we got it sorted out. (Beware of people who crowd against you. Men, carry your wallet in your FRONT pocket, and keep your hand in that pocket in crowded situations.)

What saved us was the fact that my wife carried a card for a DIFFERENT ACCOUNT. Hers was not stolen. We were able to use that card for the remainder of the trip. Whatever you do, have a backup means of getting cash in case you lose your wallet and all its contents. It might be wise to ask a banker about this, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: mooman
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 09:21 AM

In every case I have been abroad in the last 10 years, I have sucessfully used ATMs in those countries except once in France where I DESPERATELY needed some money and my Belgian bank refused to comply (even though there were sufficient funds in my current (checking) account). Fortunately, I did luckily have my work credit card with me that did work although it left me with annoying settling up to do at work later on!

So all-in-all pretty reliable but NOT infallible!

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: Gervase
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 10:48 AM

Agree - I tend not to change currency at home before travelling these days. ATMs in the EC and the USA seem to accept my card, give cash at far better rates and mean that I don't have to lug large wads of cash around.
There are symbols on the back of the card which should show if the card can be read by other machines - see if it's got either the "maestro" logo or the "cirrus" logo on the back. If it has, it should work in other's countries' ATMs (provided, of course, that the back which owns the machine is also signed up to the Mastro and Cirrus conventions).

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: GUEST,Fiver
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 11:17 AM

I use my Visa debit card for every possible purchase, with a small am't of cash on hand, just in case-I shop a lot when I travel, and hate to have either too little currency for a purchase or too much leftover when I leave. I have less trouble than I did when I used to have to carry traveller's cheques--Jim Dixon, next time, keep the credit card in an inside pocket, some cash in your pants, and leave the wallet in the safe in your room--also, don't act like a tourist, no one will bother you if you just ditch those funny American shoes--

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: Fortunato
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 11:34 AM

Worked for me in London last year. One of the good things about globalization. What funny American shoes? You don't like my open-toed wedgies? How's a girl to show off her toenail color?

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: GUEST,Rowana (cookie was eaten)
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 11:50 AM

Also, be sure your password is all numbers rather than a combination of numbers and letters. I bank at a small credit union here in the states. Because of the hour they update their computer system, I cannot withdraw cash during late evening hours in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: GUEST,chanteyranger
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 12:17 PM

Thanks everyone! Good to know for the next trip.

chanteyranger

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: GUEST,Fiver
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 01:18 PM

I don't mind your toe nails, Fortunato--but Jim's are groaty!

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: 8_Pints
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 01:17 PM

The UK is undergoing a programme of ATM upgrades to accept chip based (i.e. smart card) debit & credit cards. I know that Europay/Mastercard/VISA will be supported & also think the Amex cards should be OK, but don't know about Diner's, JCB, etc.

The ATM will still read the foreign traditional magnetic stripe card for a period so everyone's card should still work normally.

Bob vG

Subject: RE: BS: Using ATM's in another country
From: mousethief
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 01:24 PM

Well, the only foreign country I've tried it in is Canada (I'm a US citizen) and it worked great.

Wonderful country, Canada.

Alex