Yes, Nikki, that's the way I originally read the article -- as if this is a growing trend. But then the article did clearly state that NO Bank ATMs are available at a number of airports NOW, while posters have clearly refuted that idea!

I didn't need an airport ATM on my recent trip, but I did notice that every ATM I used in Portugal tried for the DCC scam. The two buttons were equally easy to see, though.

On this trip, through eight countries, I traveled with a new no fee US CC that defaulted to chip and signature but would do chip and pin when needed. I had no problems with it in chip and signature mode, and was surprised that a couple of times, when using it in automated machines with no signature, I was not asked for the pin.

http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...s-in-italy.cfm

You might want to advise what card you were using thursdaysd for those who are looking for a new chip and signature with pin card.

Best of course is a true chip and pin which ALWAYS works. Even in the USA where a signature is called for there is no problem.

I've not had a problem recently, but when going to Europe, I usually do have euro on me already. But I have noticed such a phenomenon in certain cities or countries. I think that was the case in Canada the last time I was there, I couldn't find a regular bank ATM at the airport, only private ones. I forget which city but I think Montreal airport. THis is NOT what that article is talking about, there were private ATMs just like you find in the US in some small stores. They were not run by Travelex, etc.


I even found bank ATMs when traveling to smaller airports in Mexico last summer, though. But Mexican banks add a surcharge onto all foreign ATM cards, they are the only country I know that does that (and these were regular big bank ATMs), it's about 2-3%. They do warn you but you have no choice as I checked all the major Mexican bank ATMs and they all did it.

I think that article, as usual, is some journalistic hype and bad reporting, a lot of consumer journalism articles are like that, not very fact-based (that Christopher Elliott guy does that a lot). Or maybe whoever was doing the checking isn't very smart. I know they have them at CDG and they are not that hidden, I was just there last summer. There are plenty in Madrid airport, also, I was just there last year (Banco Popular, Servired, Santander, etc.).

We were very surprised to fine we had a hard time finding an ATM at the Frankfurt airport a year ago.

Having a Chip and PIN card today saved me from a long line to get tickets to Pompidou Center. Machines would not take swipe card and the line to buy tickets from billeteria was crazy long!

The card I was using was from the Pentagon Federal Credit Union. I had intended to use the Andrews CU, but a friend of mine had major problems trying to get a card from them. I had to join a "support the troops" organization to join the Pentagon CU, but I do support the troops. I support bringing them home... The PenFed card has no fees of any kind (well, aside from late fees, I expect).

That brings up a 'funny' point thursdaysd. Perhaps more of a 'you should wonder why' rather than funny really.

The government insists on having available true chip and pin cards for all federal employees (and any others who can qualify) through PenFed, Andrews etc. but the US banks are fighting not to issue chip and pin cards to the US consumer.

Now what is it that the government knows and wants for their employees who travel that the banks don't want you to know and have?

<<<i> The government insists on having available true chip and pin cards for all federal employees...</i>>>
my govt travel card is chipless, as are those of my colleagues.

one way round the problem is to keep a few €s back from your last trip [we usually have between€40 and €100 left over]. That ought to be enough to get you through the first few hours of a trip and until you can find a proper ATM.

very nice profile picture Patrick.

Seamus, who is your card issued by and is it intended for International travel?

It may be time to get whatever department you work for to move into the 21st century.

"No problem finding a bank ATM at LHR a couple weeks ago - in fact the place was plastered with HSBC ads."

What's the ubiquity of ads got to do with ATM franchises?

These things change: there hasn't been a week since privatisation in which Heathrow management hasn't radically changed the franchise deal for one bit or another of the customer services offered somewhere in its system.

But for the past three or four years finding an ATM at LHR run by a real live genuine conventional bank has been as tricky as finding a fast-moving immigration queue for foreigners at an American airport.

Interesting comment, flanneruk.

I'm now wondering if some are using what they "think" are regular bank ATM's but in fact are bank sponsored "money exchange" machines that work off your ATM or debit card. The comments above about allowing one to withdraw either dollars or euros kind of strengthens that possibility. I can't imagine any bank ATM that gives you such a choice.

>>>>>>>>>
Why thank you, ziggypop!

<<No problem finding a bank ATM at LHR a couple weeks ago>> I could only find Moneycorp in T5. I could not find a bank ATM in T2 nor T3. I did find a Barclays ATM in Gatwick airside but it was not very obvious.

I think that indeed some people saying they found a bank ATM are indeed confused NeoPatrick. They see a VISA sign and think it means it is a bank ATM. Never underestimate the naivity or ignorance of the average traveller.

These same people think they do not pay exchange 'fees' on their cards and most of them are paying 3% exchange loading.

The comments above about allowing one to withdraw either dollars or euros kind of strengthens that possibility. I can't imagine any bank ATM that gives you such a choice. >>

there are in fact ATM machines at St Pancras [the departure lounge for the Eurostar] and at Bristol airport which offer Euros only. I assume, [because I've never used them] that they charge a fee for doing the exchange, but would not expect them to make any other charges.

I think there were bank ATMs at BSL that let you withdraw either Swiss francs or euros, because you could exit either into Switzerland or into France.

I don't think the reference was to the ATM 'allowing one to withdraw either dollars or euros' annhig. It will only dispense Euros but if you choose the wrong button it will use DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) to calculate the charge going on your card. So the choice is in how it will be calculated, in dollars or in euros.

Whether it is at an ATM or by a merchant, DCC is a bad idea. Read here for an explanation:
https://transferwise.com/blog/2012-1...t-foreign-atm/

DCC is a scam that started a few years ago and has cost a lot of naive travellers more than they needed to pay.
https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=...ersion+rip+off

I don't think the reference was to the ATM 'allowing one to withdraw either dollars or euros' annhig. It will only dispense Euros but if you choose the wrong button it will use DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) to calculate the charge going on your card. So the choice is in how it will be calculated, in dollars or in euros.>>

not the ones I'm talking about, SJ. they dispense euros in the UK - where of course euros are not legal tender. I am not aware whether they charge in euros or £s [and agree that DCC is to be avoided] but they certainly don't charge in $.