Do USA ATM cards work in Spain ?
Nov 16th, 2002, 08:16 AM
#1
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Do USA ATM cards work in Spain ?
Hi,<BR><BR>Whats the best way to obtain cash while travelling in Spain, specifically in Barcelona. I will be carrying some traveller's checks and credit cards, but in case I run out of traveller's checks and need cash, how do I go about it ?<BR><BR>Would my bank ATM card work there ? My bank is Fleet Boston Bank.<BR><BR>Thanks ! <BR>Peter
Nov 16th, 2002, 08:28 AM
#2
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forget about the travelers checks. make sure that you have an atm card with plus or cirrus on the back that uses a four digit pin-numbers only and only four. a visa atm card works anywhere and terminals (telebanco) are everywhere. I would use Banco Popular terminals by choice.
Nov 16th, 2002, 08:29 AM
#3
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Your card should work there if it's on the same system as the ATM's you use in Spain. Your card should have logos of what system is accessible-Plus, Cirrus, etc. If the ATM you plan to use has these logos on it then there shouldn't be any problem.<BR><BR>
Nov 16th, 2002, 10:51 AM
#4
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yes.<BR><BR>unless your bank is still in the 1950's, you will be able to use it. this is a good plan as you get the best exchange rates this way. <BR><BR>forget about traveler's checks. what a pain.<BR><BR>i always take some cash and my atm card, and i am good to go.
Nov 16th, 2002, 11:16 AM
#6
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Peter:<BR><BR>This is a subject that comes up frequently. A couple of years ago, it was a given that European ATM's insisted upon a 4 digit PIN. That does not seem to be the case anymore as many have reported they have few problems using a six-digit PIN and I have not read of anybody complaining that their 6 digit PIN did not work.<BR><BR>However...<BR><BR>to be on the safe side, if I were you, I would ask my bank to switch my PIN to a 4 digit PIN which will always work.
Nov 16th, 2002, 11:23 AM
#7
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Peter - it's definately not true that Spanish ATMs require a 4-digit PIN. I have a Wells Fargo ATM card (STAR & CIRRUS networks) with a 5-digit PIN, and it worked fine all over Spain last summer (I usually only tried to use it in major cities, though). I occasionally had problems with machines being out of order or out of cash or not on the appropriate network, but never with the length of the PIN. <BR><BR>Unfortunately, I have no experience with a 6-digit PIN - hope someone can post here who does. If you are worried, and your bank definately can't change your PIN, one thing you could do is get a PIN assigned to your credit card(s) as well, so you can access cash that way in an emergency. <BR><BR>Also - some banks now allow you to buy a temporary credit card, where you pay cash up front and that value is assigned to the card for you to withdraw over time, using the card like a debit/ATM card with a temporary PIN assigned. I haven't tried this myself, but I think Chase Manhattan has one. That would certainly be easier than getting a second card.
