ATMs in Jordan and Egypt
 

Once while traveling I was not able to find an atm which would accept my card. It wasn't in a compatable systerm or something. I can't remember what the exact problem was, but it did cause me dificulty, as you can imagine.

Tomorrow we're leaving for Jordan and Egypt, and as usual I have this nagging little fear that history will repeat itself. My atm card is linked with Plus. Co-op, Star, and something that looks like a lightning bolt, or a zigzag with the writing "Member Access". I have notified my bank when and where I intend to use it, and they assurred me there would be no problem. But you know how that goes. I have more confidence hearing from someone who has successfully used a card with those symbols in the countries mentioned.

Just need to know if anybody has had difficulty finding an atm which accepts those links.

Thanks in advance.

Barbara

The exchange rate in both Egypt and Jordan are set by the government, so it's just as easy to convert funds at your hotel as using an ATM. We never used an ATM in either country, so don't know which cards work.

From threads on this subject though, it seems that Visa cards work most countries, so I guess Plus network is good. Still you should have more than one card, just in case. Or exchange at hotel/s.

Thanks, Sandi--
We're leaving tonight. Staying at an LAX hotel. Easier for the 6:30 AM flight out tomorrow morning to NY. Connecting to Egypt Air from there at 6:30 PM, and we'll be on our way.
Barbara

Safe travels and enjoy!

I also am leaving soon for Egypt and Jordan. For exchanging money at hotels, do you use a debit card, or travelers checks? I haven't used travelers checks in a long time, but I am wondering if I should bring some?

Travelers checks are good for only one thing - an emergency in your home currency so you can redeposit them in your account when you return home... or save for your next trip somewhere.

When exchanging money at hotel exchange window I use USD for local currency. Never have had the need to change so much USD to local that it's more than I wish to carry... maybe $100, if that. Be sure the USD are the newer notes, with large faces, not torn, folded, taped and no older than 5/years (so dated 2005).

Enjoy your holiday.

For exchanging USD, are large denominations ($50 or $100) acceptable? Or should I bring smaller denominations?

Jat.. the currency exchanges happily changed my USD 100's.

Oh, I forgot to say.... I had a debit card linked to Plus but it would not work in Egypt. Hubbie's card, also a Plus card would not work (that was convenient! lol he couldn't pay for anything). My Cirrus card worked.

Yikes!! I was planning to use my card linked to Plus. Thanks for the warning! I am thinking it will be good to bring travelers' checks just in case. Has anyone used travelers' checks in Egypt? Good to know they accept $100 bills-makes for less bills to carry around but I am reluctant to carry a lot of cash around.

Travelers Checks are only accepted at somne hotel banks with your passport AND the receipt for the TCs. Don't forget to bring both if you want them cashed.
Or if they are AE, you might find an AE office to cash them at, but that is not as easy as it used to be now that the Nile Hilton is no longer.

Jat, I cannot remember in where, but I am sure it was in a hotel that said traveller's cheques not accepted.

Just returned from 9 days in Egypt an 7 days in Jordan. Used Plus debit card in both countries with no problems.

With US cash, always try to bring newer bills, as noted above, with no markings (ink etc.) on them. The size of the bill does not seem to be a problem.

I know there is a difference of opinion on this, but I always have a few small bills for tips when I don't have local money, such as on arrival or departure. A tip of US cash is better than nothing.

<<A tip of US cash is better than nothing.>>

Very true! Just NO USA coins please. Keep it paper please.

Exactly, sorry I wasn't clear about that.