ATM and debit cards
 

Looking for info on which ATMs and/or ATM networks will work in France. I've been told that 'Pulse' and 'Star' are only for the US. Thanks!

If your ATM card is branded as Mastercard or Visa, then it will work in France. The two major networks are Cirrus (associated with Mastercard) and Plus (associated with Visa). And ask your bank or tell us the name of your bank, and someone may know the answer. There are a few small banks that aren't associated with one of the major international companies, but they are rare these days.

But you may want to see if your own bank has a preferred European partner to minimize withdrawal fees.

I had an ATM card that was not branded because it was an ATM card (I think only debit cards are branded), I think it was supposed to be STAR, and it still worked perfectly fine in Europe, including France. I think somehow they still have some linking system that it can be used, don't know the details, but I know it worked. In fact, I still only have an ATM card, I've never had a debit card and I've never had a problem using it in Europe and I was just there last Fall most recently.

My new card does say CIRRUS on the back, however, even though it is NOT a Mastercard or Visa, but my old one only said STAR or PULSE or something, and it still worked. I guess you can ask your bank about that not sure if they will know, but they should (if it will work in Europe).

I have a Visa debit card. On the back there is NYCE, Plus, and Interlink. It works find in Europe although I had a couple of problems in Prague and Krakow.

Are you sure it's Pulse and not Plus?

I've had a variety of debit cards and at least one ATM card. Every one has worked all over France.

If you are a Bank of America customer, there is no ATM fee at BNP Paribas in France.

If you bank w/someone else, you should inquire as to which banks you can use w/o a fee.

Let the security division of your credit/debit companies know your itinerary before you leave so a transaction abroad does not trigger an alert.