ATM Scared!

Old Apr 8th, 2000, 06:54 AM
  #1  
Marty
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ATM Scared!

After many trips to Europe, I was headed for Italy this summer for the first time taking an ATM card (if I can figure out how to get one!), instead of cash. Now I am really scared. I don't want to spend days trying to get the cash that I need. This past Thanksgiving in Paris, my friends could not get either of their credit cards to work. They had to charge everything on mine, which was fine, but they were sorely embarrassed every time their card was rejected. They kept trying, because it worked just enough times to give them courage! Of course, it was the Thanksgiving holiday in the US, so no way to find out what was wrong. As we later found out, it was because we had a layover in Toronto, so they charged some things there. When we got to Paris, and they started charging, the bank put a hold on their card, because it appeared to be stolen. They bank (and this was a BIG one) gave no reason for the cards would occasionallly work. What a mess. I learned a lesson from their experience. Now I don't feel very safe to rely on ATM cards for cash. What to do?
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 07:27 AM
  #2  
santachiara
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I rely daily on ATMs. I pay for everything--rent, food, clothing with cash, which I get from the ATM. I have been in Italy for a year with nary a problem. Having said that, some people have suggested having more than one card. If your card is a bank card and is connected with Pulse or Cirrus, you shouldn't have a problem. I can't explain your friends' bank being so protective. But, really, everything should work. Good luck.
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 07:31 AM
  #3  
Bob Brown
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At the risk of sounding like I don't intend to sound, let me say this:
I have an aTM card in the form of a Check Card (also a known as a debit card) from Bank of America. That is what I used last year in France and Switzerland. I am not sure what would happen if I put my credit card in an ATM slot. You say you don't know how to get an ATM card? Assuming you are serious in your statement, the only way I know to get one is to go to your bank and ask for one. You do need to get one from a major bank, or at least one that has connections to Cirrus or Plus.
Mine says Plus and it worked fine in Paris, Lausanne, and Lauterbrunnen (Switzerland).
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 07:53 AM
  #4  
Walter
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Hi Marty: You are not alone, I love modern technology but I don't trust it. I go to Europe with 4 CC and 2 ATM cards, but I still bring Travelers Checks (free from AAA) and a few hundred dollars in local currency from my bank (I lose ~5%) and maybe $200+USD. It's overkill but it only takes me ~1hr from leaving home to returning home to get the foreign currency and TC's and it makes me happy. My boss's wife went to Europe (London) for the 1st time last year and on her 1st ATM attempt the machine somehow ate and mangled her card so it was unuseable afterwards. My local US bank will not give you back your card if it's from another bank and the machine eats your card, they'll only mail it back to your bank???. An ATM card is great, but back it up with checks/cash and you'll sleep better. HTH Regards, Walter
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 09:09 AM
  #5  
sheri
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Assuming you can figure out how to get an ATM card (and, like Bob, I'm kind of scratching my head about that one!), I have the following suggestions. I used my ATM card in Venice in January at several cash machines and had no problems at all.

1. Make sure your PIN number isn't more than 4 digits--apparently some ATMs in Europe won't accept longer PINs.

2. Tell your bank you'll be traveling so they don't block your card when withdrawals start appearing from places other than your home machines. This is more of a problem with credit cards (so be sure to tell any credit card issuers as well), but it's a good idea to let your ATM issuer know too.

3. Always a backup plan or two. I brought other CCs, personal checks that I could cash if need be at American Express, and a couple hundred $$ worth of travelers checks (mostly because I was nervous about possible Y2K problems). That said, I used my ATM almost exclusively for getting cash.

4. You can use credit cards to get cash advances from ATMs, but that is way more expensive than making a withdrawal directly from your checking account.

 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 09:42 AM
  #6  
Dave
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I just used my ATM card several times in Portugal and Spain without any problem. I feel that it is best to use this to get cash for most small purchases instead of credit cards because every time you use that, there is a 1 or 2% charge (although you miss the frequent flier miles). I carried some dollars, but never used them.

Check with your bank before you go.
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 10:42 AM
  #7  
norena
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The way I always thought one gets an ATM card is to have either a checking or savings account at your bank or homestead and just ask them for the card.

However, when we went to Europe last May, I was glad I brought 2 different type ATM cards from accounts at different banks because at certain ATMs one card would work but the other one would not.This was even though it was for the right type machine like Cirrus, Plus or Pulse.

I keep a separate (travel) checking account at a different bank just as back up for this purpose. I also bring TCs and small amount of foreign currency from home as back up.
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 12:56 PM
  #8  
Bob
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I use ATMs all the time in Europe, no problem. The tip on 4 digit pin is very good. I changed mine to 4 digits and never have a problem. The credit card problem is also easily prevented. I call my credit card company before departure and tell them they will be getting charges from Europe for 2 weeks. They put that in your record and it prevents an accidental cancellation while you are overseas. Another point well made: Take 2 different cards with you and if you are with spouse have her carry one and you carry the opposite. That way if one stolen from one of you, you are still in business with the other one. You can also overpay your credit card before leaving with funds you have put aside for travel and then charge everything. When you return the bill won't be that bad as you have a credit balance to start and you did not have to fool with a lot of cash. Bottom line: I have not used a traveler's check in 10 years. They are simply no longer necessary.
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 01:30 PM
  #9  
peg
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If your card has been okay, don't panic if now and then it doesn't work in the ATM, it just means that back home your facility is doing a daily balance and is off air for an hour or so, just try later.
Peg.
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 03:00 PM
  #10  
Kate
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Also to remember is that if your ATM card is rejected and it is during banking hours, you can usually walk inside and have a teller process the transaction. If you can get an ATM card that you can also use as a credit card (like Bob's from BofA or mine from Chase Manhattan), then you can use it to charge purchases in restaurants or stores without that extra fee that many credit card companies add on. Be sure to check/double check with your bank about ATM fees, though. Chase said they didn't charge a higher or different fee to use foreign ATMs than other banks' here, but they processed the transactions differently and charged twice as much. If you're traveling with another, in addition to each carrying a different card, divide up the cash you're carrying after you hit the ATM. Take yet another credit card and put it wherever you secure your plane tix/passport, etc. (money belt or whatever) and don't take it out unless something happens to your other funds/cards.
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 05:16 PM
  #11  
Jane
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Marty, definately try to get one, but I suggest you have some back up! We just returned from a 2 and a half week trip through France,and Italy and my ATM bank card worked like a charm, but my husband's (same bank, same card, lots more money in account) did not! We did not bother taking travellers cheques. After several frustrating phone calls, we finally transfered his money into my account and just used my card...It is wonderful to arrive at the train station and be able to get your money instantly.
Good Luck!
Jane
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 05:28 PM
  #12  
marty
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I did not mean to sound quite so dumb about how to get an ATM card! I just have never had need to use one, so it all sounds very confusing to me. (I live in a small town right across the street from my bank so I just go to the bank when I need cash!) I looked at my credit card and it says Cirrus, so I guess that means I need another that says Plus, right? Having never used an ATM, I did not realize that one just uses a credit card in the machines. Thanks for all the info.
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 08:29 PM
  #13  
Louise
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Hi Marty - It's very expensive to use your credit card in the ATM! Get an ATM card from your bank. The credit card company will charge you a cash advance fee, and those add up a lot faster than ATM fees. Others have mentioned it also, but I always phone my credit card company before I leave to let them know I'll be using their card away from home, and tell them where I'll be traveling (Italy, France, etc.).
 
Old Apr 8th, 2000, 11:13 PM
  #14  
greg
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Finally, postings that are not all bunch of "I had never had any problems with ATM." Consider even in the US; have you ever had an experience not able to get cash? Even if you had such experience, it is less of problem in US since you know to how to get around the problems better. You cannot get the cash in Europe for the same reason plus more.
I had my share of not able to get cash in Europe.

Last time we went there with several different ways to get cash. We only had to rely one level of contingency. Nevertheless we were glad we were prepared. As soon as we arrive, we immediately try two different ways to get cash so we can quickly find out if the bank have activated fraud protection on our accounts. By the way, this was after I have talked to the banks. The reaction to my request not to freeze my account during my trip had been "huh? what are you talking about? It should work, there is no need to do anything," very assuring. I guess I don't deal with travel savvy bankers and credit card companies like some others.
 
Old Apr 9th, 2000, 07:37 PM
  #15  
maryann hensinger
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my family was just in london in february and both my daughter and I had ATM cards.
my daughters card from the same bank as mine would not work there, which we found out when we got home was because her card accessed a savings account.
my card was a check card with a visa logo on it accessing a checking account and it worked fine. it was my first experience using an ATM card and i was very easy. we even made a day trip to paris and used it to get our day supply of francs without any problems.
 
Old Apr 10th, 2000, 06:58 AM
  #16  
Brian in Atlanta
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Maryann may have solved at least one mystery. In my experience, I've never been able to designate the account from which the money is withdrawn in Europe, so perhaps you can only draw from your checking account. And if your default account is not your checking account, you then wouldn't have access to anything.

I'd be curious to hear if those who had trouble while their companion had no trouble with the same bank and same card have their savings account set as their default.

Also, Marty, do not use a credit card at an ATM. You will pay huge cash advance fees and will start paying interest on those funds as soon as they are withdrawn (regardless of whether you pay your balance off each month).
 
Old Apr 10th, 2000, 10:40 AM
  #17  
kate
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Just to reiterate what others have said: do not use a credit card at the ATM if you can avoid it! Cash advances are not like other charges; not only do they incur a fee (in addition to any exchange fee your CC co. imposes on foreign transactions) and start charging interest right away (even if you don't carry a balance), but most cards charge a higher APR on cash advances than on regular purchases.

There is something called the Visa Check Card, which acts like a credit card (so you can use it at stores/ATMs both), but draws directly from your savings account. FYI, Visa=Plus; MasterCard=Cirrus. Look at their respective websites for ATM locations that are on the two networks (even if you're just using your ATM card, the info is the same).
 
Old Apr 10th, 2000, 10:43 AM
  #18  
Cass
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1. The European banks are supposed to go to your default account -- usually primary checking -- but we had one bank in Barcelona go to our savings account, and didn't know it 'til we got home. No harm done, but concerning.

2. You may not need both Cirrus and Plus -- increasingly they recognize each other. But DO DO DO get a debit/ATM card and DON'T use any credit card to get cash unless it's a MAJOR emergency. 19% is a whopping bit of interest.

3. Everyone says "check with your bank." Let me amend that to say, find an officer at your bank and discuss your travel plans with him/her -- get a direct telephone number to her/him in case of emergency -- ask for advice, help in setting things up in a way that makes you comfortable (e.g., a separate travel account, etc.). This is one time it's worth insisting on old-fashioned personal service. You pay for it -- use it. We did and were tremendously glad we did.
 

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