ATM card - can it be used in Denmark and Norway?
 

On CruiseCritic somebody posted about a problem using ATM-only US card. Debit card has Visa or MasterCard logo, my card has only Cirrus and Maestro on the back of it.

Will I be able to use my ATM-only (not a debit card) for cash, not for purchases? Anybody has ATM-only card that was used?

I used one in Denmark a couple of years ago that was issued and good only for debits from my local credit union. It used a 4-number PIN. No visa/mc logo. But it wasa couple of years ago, might have changed.

Yes you can use it. Your bank ATM card and "debit card" are one and the same. I was told by my bank that outside of North America, they use 4 digit pins. If you have a pin that is 6 digits, you better change it before you go.

Also, you will be paying at least a 3% premium on foreign exchange rate, plus a high service fee, maybe around $10 to $15 per transcation.

You are better off not to use it except for emergency.

"Your bank ATM card and "debit card" are one and the same."

Nope, ATM-only cards and debit cards are different, they even look different!

"You are better off not to use it except for emergency." - so how else can I get cash? Bring with me to exchange?

"service fee, maybe around $10 to $15 per transcation" - I've never heard of this fee, is it true?

Well my ATM Card and my debit card are one and the same !

The debit card I use to pay for groceries at the local store is the same one I use at an ATM in Cairo Egypt , for example...

so for me it is one and the same .!

Dayenu ..... I did not know that there is a separate card for an ATM only.

I guess I live and learn :)

ATM is less risky - if you lose it, somebody has to know the PIN to use it. Debit can be used without a PIN, somebody can make a purchase, the money will be taken off your account, and I've heard too many stories from people who tried to work it out with their banks to get their money back, to reverse overdraft fees...

Dayenu,

I used my ATM card (which, for my bank, is also a debit card) recently in both Denmark and Norway. Your US bank will likely charge you a out of network service fee. The service fee from the local bank is regulated by the EU and is small. Never in two digits. You will get your money at the bank rate and this is always less than an exchange rate at a bank or money changer. It is also faster than changing money. My bank did not add any premium on the exchange rate. If you have a large bank, e.g. Wells Fargo, Chase, B of A, you can check to see which banks it may have agreements with. This can save you some of the minimal service charges.

My question was, will I be able to use ATM-only card. I don't have, and don't plan on getting a debit card.

I have already a list of addresses of the banks that are partners with Chase.

Yes

How can you say that? You had a debit card, not an ATM card!

Jeff801 on Apr 21, 10 at 3:34pm
Dayenu,
I used my ATM card (which, for my bank, is also a debit card)

See?

I asked at Chase when I was in the local office to drop of completed signature cards. Have they given you different information?

Sorry, I should have made that clear in the last post.

No, my info is from European and CruiseCritic forums, some people say they had a problem with ATM cards.

Chase has a "sister" bank in Scandinavia, I wonder if I bring a non-Chase card, will it still work. I guess I better to go the bank instead of calling 800 number.

If your card has a Cirrus sign on it, it'll work in virtually every machine in Europe. I have a savings account that is not a cheque account(so not a debit card)with an ATM card attached to it with the Cirrus sign. It has worked in every ATM I have ever tried.

Thank you, Lifeman!