dfourh

Last year I called my bank (US Bank), told them the dates I was going to Scotland, and when I got to Glasgow my card was blocked until I called them and verified that I indeed was trying to get out Pounds (just like I had told them when I had called them two days prior).

This January I called US Bank and told them the dates I was going to Mexico, and I actually did get cash from an ATM at the Cancun airport - - and then they blocked my card so I couldn't use it again till I called them.

Today I called and told them my dates for my next Europe trip, and was told, "Your card might get blocked anyways, and here is the 800 number to call," (not that 800 #'s work from Holland).

Is this the "norm", or is this just a primitive bank? Can anyone recommend a bank with a system that will not block your card when you try to get cash even when you have told them precisely where you will be on specific dates?

RM67

If it's any comfort my bank sometimes do things like this too even if forewarned. Make sure you have a charged phone and the relevant numbers with you so you can call and get a block removed if need be.

greg

One of my bank always blocks the card after the first use. Another bank never blocks any transactions even if I don't tell them about trips, but that bank's card gets cloned every two years, and it turns into a piece of worthless plastic in an instant. Perhaps thieves know that they can run multiple transactions with the cards from that bank before being blocked.

It is a choice between which evils I can tolerate given the circumstances.

Michael

I've had no problems with my credit union when I warn them ahead of time--I forgot twice before going to NYC.

Andrew

I've never had any problems with my credit union ATM cards being blocked in Europe, ever. I've used three different credit union ATM cards there over the last few years. I have two accounts now and carry two different cards, one as a backup.

I suggest either getting a backup/credit union account for travel or just ditching US Bank altogether. Most likely, US Bank charges more per ATM use than any credit union ATM card. One of my credit union cards charges 0 per use (and no conversion fee). The other charges no fee and only 1% Visa currency conversion rate.

One of my credit union accounts is ATM-only (no Visa logo - not a debit card). My credit union told me before my last trip that I didn't need to notify them of any travel (they had no way to record it) because my card had a PIN. If it was a debit card with a Visa logo, they'd notify Visa.

flpab

I always take two cards. We learned the hard way on a weekend with the stupid credit union. I call always and my husband calls always. I have a pnc debit/atm card and the credit union atm now that I take.

thursdaysd

I've never had a problem with my Capital One card or my Credit Union card. Note that you can call US toll free numbers using Skype from abroad for free.

rialtogrl

I use Charles Schwab and Union Bank - only once did I have a problem with my Schwab account, and that was when I was trying to take money out twice in an hour in Romania (I got confused on the currency and didn't take out enough the first time. Plus it was Romania.) That time I got blocked and had to call.

I used to have a Capital One bank account and never had a problem with them blocking me either.

Consider opening a Schwab account - no transaction fees and I've taken money out all over Europe with no problems (except the Romania one which was my fault!)

kja

I once had a credit card blocked after I used it the first time in Turkey. I called the issuing bank *(a credit union) toll free, and was told, "oh yes, we see the note right here saying that you would be in Turkey. And your point?" Sigh.

My take: ALWAYS call in advance of your trip. NEVER assume that doing so will prevent blockage. ALWAYS take multiple cards.