ATM card woes in Dublin
May 30th, 2016, 07:50 AM
#22
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We had trouble with this a couple of years ago... we never had to notify the bank for ATM cards previously (credit cards, yes, definitely) but when we tried our BoA atm card it wouldn't work. Fortunately, the Chase atm card did work.
They straightened everything out over the phone eventually, but we always notify now... and take back up ATM cards, too.
I hope you get things straightened out soon, iowamom! Maybe if you go inside a bank you can get a cash advance from your credit card?
They straightened everything out over the phone eventually, but we always notify now... and take back up ATM cards, too.
I hope you get things straightened out soon, iowamom! Maybe if you go inside a bank you can get a cash advance from your credit card?
May 30th, 2016, 08:04 AM
#23
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Today, more and more CC companies are not allowing transactions from other countries due to fraud. ALWAYS notify both bank and credit card companies when going overseas. Usually you will have to give travel dates and where you are going.
May 30th, 2016, 01:13 PM
#25
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>>we have never informed them before and never had a problem…<<
There isn't a problem until you have one. IME, banks are more concerned about fraud than ever. I've gotten to the point, if I know I'm going to be making a purchase over $500, I call them to let them know. It saves me time and hassles at the store.
Yahoo is cracking down, too. For years, I've been able to log into my Yahoo email account from the Eurozone. Now, Yahoo gives me a page saying the country of log-in is not normal, please check your secondary security email address for further log-in instructions. The only problem, I couldn't remember what that security email address is, or its password. I wasn't traveling with either. Luckily, I tried another browser, and I happened to be logged-in there. But for the future, I need to travel with security emails and passwords, as well as the everyday ones.
There isn't a problem until you have one. IME, banks are more concerned about fraud than ever. I've gotten to the point, if I know I'm going to be making a purchase over $500, I call them to let them know. It saves me time and hassles at the store.
Yahoo is cracking down, too. For years, I've been able to log into my Yahoo email account from the Eurozone. Now, Yahoo gives me a page saying the country of log-in is not normal, please check your secondary security email address for further log-in instructions. The only problem, I couldn't remember what that security email address is, or its password. I wasn't traveling with either. Luckily, I tried another browser, and I happened to be logged-in there. But for the future, I need to travel with security emails and passwords, as well as the everyday ones.
May 30th, 2016, 01:48 PM
#26
The only time we ever had problems accessing money abroad was when one of us told the bank that we were going away and the other didn't. Luckily we had back-up cards which did work, though the banks had not been informed of our travels.
Subsequently we have informed them when we going out of Europe but not otherwise and when I was in France last week, I had no problems at all in either using ATMs or my credit card.
i hope you get this sorted out, iowamom.
Subsequently we have informed them when we going out of Europe but not otherwise and when I was in France last week, I had no problems at all in either using ATMs or my credit card.
i hope you get this sorted out, iowamom.
May 30th, 2016, 01:54 PM
#27
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I remember when you didn't even need to tell them for credit cards, if I recall. But nowadays they are really getting rigid.
Morals of this story:
1) notify all CCs and banks for ATM/debit cards when planning to use abroad;
2) have PINs for all your credit cards, I always make sure I have them.
Because you can't set a PIN by phone instantaneously, as I recall, but I'm not really sure about that as I've never had a PIN emergency for a CC. I do have one as a backup method for getting cash but have never had to do it, actually.
So the other option would be to call the CC and see if you can set a PIN by phone.
Morals of this story:
1) notify all CCs and banks for ATM/debit cards when planning to use abroad;
2) have PINs for all your credit cards, I always make sure I have them.
Because you can't set a PIN by phone instantaneously, as I recall, but I'm not really sure about that as I've never had a PIN emergency for a CC. I do have one as a backup method for getting cash but have never had to do it, actually.
So the other option would be to call the CC and see if you can set a PIN by phone.
May 30th, 2016, 06:07 PM
#29
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Some credit unions are not members of the major ATM networks - and only work locally. Is it possible that is the case. Does the card have the Cirrus or Maestro logo on it?
I don't think it has anything to do with embossed numbers.
Do you have only one card? We always take multiple CCs and ATM cards.
I don't think it has anything to do with embossed numbers.
Do you have only one card? We always take multiple CCs and ATM cards.
May 30th, 2016, 08:54 PM
#30
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My ATM card from my credit union is just that: an ATM card, not a "Debit Card." It does not have a Visa logo and can be used only to access cash at an ATM, not to make purchases.
I always notify all of my credit cards that I will be traveling, of course, but the last time I tried to notify the credit union about the ATM card, they said they had no way even to record travel plans. Because it's PIN-protected, I guess, that is considered safe enough, and there is no other way to use it (not a debit card). I've never had any trouble using it in Europe.
I always notify all of my credit cards that I will be traveling, of course, but the last time I tried to notify the credit union about the ATM card, they said they had no way even to record travel plans. Because it's PIN-protected, I guess, that is considered safe enough, and there is no other way to use it (not a debit card). I've never had any trouble using it in Europe.
May 31st, 2016, 03:53 AM
#31
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>>Do you have only one card? We always take multiple CCs and ATM cards.<<
Perhaps people assume that most travelers travel as married couples who possess more than one checking account? Do some people really think it's normal for a single person or a married couple to have more than one checking account? What percentage of people who travel have two or more checking accounts?
I've never understood the recommendation to take more than one ATM card or any question that asks, "Why don't you have a second checking account?" I've been traveling to Europe on business for many years, and I've never had a bank ATM machine eat my ATM card. A simple way to avoid problems is to talk with your bank about your travel needs before you travel.
Keeping cash in a checking account is about the worst place in the world for storing cash. If you want fee-less checking, chances are you're going to need a hefty minimum balance that you'll never be able to touch.
I don't see the practicality of opening a second checking account just to protect yourself during travel. IMO, it's more trouble than it's worth.
I often travel with my sister, so by default, we have two separate ATM cards. But if one of us lost our card, it's not like there would be enough cash in the other person's account to make a card problem go away. Someone would have to juggle to help the other.
I suppose some people are paranoid and always need to prepare for the worst possible outcome. I suppose having a back-up plan, depending on how practical it is, can't hurt. For me, one checking account is enough. I don't travel anywhere with two ATM cards.
Perhaps people assume that most travelers travel as married couples who possess more than one checking account? Do some people really think it's normal for a single person or a married couple to have more than one checking account? What percentage of people who travel have two or more checking accounts?
I've never understood the recommendation to take more than one ATM card or any question that asks, "Why don't you have a second checking account?" I've been traveling to Europe on business for many years, and I've never had a bank ATM machine eat my ATM card. A simple way to avoid problems is to talk with your bank about your travel needs before you travel.
Keeping cash in a checking account is about the worst place in the world for storing cash. If you want fee-less checking, chances are you're going to need a hefty minimum balance that you'll never be able to touch.
I don't see the practicality of opening a second checking account just to protect yourself during travel. IMO, it's more trouble than it's worth.
I often travel with my sister, so by default, we have two separate ATM cards. But if one of us lost our card, it's not like there would be enough cash in the other person's account to make a card problem go away. Someone would have to juggle to help the other.
I suppose some people are paranoid and always need to prepare for the worst possible outcome. I suppose having a back-up plan, depending on how practical it is, can't hurt. For me, one checking account is enough. I don't travel anywhere with two ATM cards.
May 31st, 2016, 04:34 AM
#32
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It's not a second checking account it's a second card on the same account. I would think everyone has a card for every adult on the account. That way if there is a problem with that card the other may till work.
And yes, lots of people have separate checking accounts. DH and I did not marry at a young age (and unless people do marry very young don;t they already each have a checking account - I've had mine since I was 17 since I need it for school) so we each have our own private accounts as well as a joint account with which we pay joint bills - and private bills with our own accounts (DH was paying alimony to his ex and I don't want to explain to anyone what I chose to spend my money on - including gifts for him).
As for CCs - yes, I assume that each person has more than one if they are doing international travel. Different cards for different purposes. I have 5 CC myself and DH has 4 (one corporate card and one joint with his ex so he can watch her spending) for different purposes.
And yes, lots of people have separate checking accounts. DH and I did not marry at a young age (and unless people do marry very young don;t they already each have a checking account - I've had mine since I was 17 since I need it for school) so we each have our own private accounts as well as a joint account with which we pay joint bills - and private bills with our own accounts (DH was paying alimony to his ex and I don't want to explain to anyone what I chose to spend my money on - including gifts for him).
As for CCs - yes, I assume that each person has more than one if they are doing international travel. Different cards for different purposes. I have 5 CC myself and DH has 4 (one corporate card and one joint with his ex so he can watch her spending) for different purposes.
May 31st, 2016, 04:35 AM
#33
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Andrew, even if it is just an ATM card to work in Europe it must be part of Maestro or Cirrus.
We have to notify our banks if we are going out of Europe. We can do this online, even once we are out of Europe, provided we have our little login gizmo, used for internet banking, with us. We have two accounts, a joint account and I have a personal account so we can normally get some money from one or the other, and with the login gizmos can move money between accounts if we need to.
If the worst comes to the worst we can pay for something using the banking app on the phone, doing a bank transfer. In fact thinking about it, I can turn on international travel with that app too.
I hope by now Iowamom has managed to contact someone and get overseas travel turned on.
We have to notify our banks if we are going out of Europe. We can do this online, even once we are out of Europe, provided we have our little login gizmo, used for internet banking, with us. We have two accounts, a joint account and I have a personal account so we can normally get some money from one or the other, and with the login gizmos can move money between accounts if we need to.
If the worst comes to the worst we can pay for something using the banking app on the phone, doing a bank transfer. In fact thinking about it, I can turn on international travel with that app too.
I hope by now Iowamom has managed to contact someone and get overseas travel turned on.
May 31st, 2016, 04:47 AM
#34
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wesleymarsh, we need a $10 balance for no fee checking which is interest bearing.
When we travel money goes into checking accounts to be available. I had a machine in AZ eat my card ( my own fault) last year. Sink always travel with two as I have various accounts anyway.
When we travel money goes into checking accounts to be available. I had a machine in AZ eat my card ( my own fault) last year. Sink always travel with two as I have various accounts anyway.
May 31st, 2016, 05:41 AM
#35
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If a card is being blocked for security reasons, because no one bothered to call to inform the bank of international use, no number of duplicate cards on the same account will help.
Interest bearing checking accounts in the USA will get you pennies for storing your cash there. No-fee checking with a $10 balance is unheard of in my neck of the woods. For 0% foreign transaction fees, my no-fee Capital One ATM account requires a $5000 minimum balance at all times.
Interest bearing checking accounts in the USA will get you pennies for storing your cash there. No-fee checking with a $10 balance is unheard of in my neck of the woods. For 0% foreign transaction fees, my no-fee Capital One ATM account requires a $5000 minimum balance at all times.
May 31st, 2016, 05:51 AM
#36
>>Do some people really think it's normal for a single person or a married couple to have more than one checking account? <<
IME yes -- it is pretty common. Especially for people who travel overseas a lot.
Many have their primary acct and another mostly-for-travel account -- which they use for the 'primary' when traveling and only use their main acct as a back up.
I'm single and have 3 bank checking accts, 1 credit union checking acct, and two small bank and cu savings accts. That probably seems like overkill but because of rentals and various bank-offered perks it makes sense for me. At minimum I would <i>always</i> have 2 checking accounts . . .
IME yes -- it is pretty common. Especially for people who travel overseas a lot.
Many have their primary acct and another mostly-for-travel account -- which they use for the 'primary' when traveling and only use their main acct as a back up.
I'm single and have 3 bank checking accts, 1 credit union checking acct, and two small bank and cu savings accts. That probably seems like overkill but because of rentals and various bank-offered perks it makes sense for me. At minimum I would <i>always</i> have 2 checking accounts . . .
May 31st, 2016, 06:52 AM
#38
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In advance of our last trip, I opened a free online checking account with Capital One 360 in an effort to avoid fees for using an ATM overseas. I have to say that it was ridiculously easy to open the account. I had the ATM card within days (they FedEx it to you), which was great as I decided to open the account at the 11th hour. So, not only did I avoid what probably amounted to $60-70 in fees, I have another backup ATM card as well (we have three now, as my husband and I maintain separate accounts). I had no issues using it in Italy; I did alert them to our travel plans, however.
May 31st, 2016, 06:52 AM
#39
" For 0% foreign transaction fees, my no-fee Capital One ATM account requires a $5000 minimum balance at all times."
Interesting. My Capital One account has no required minimum.
"Do some people really think it's normal for a single person or a married couple to have more than one checking account? What percentage of people who travel have two or more checking accounts? '
I travel solo for two or three months at a time. I take three ATM cards and four credit cards. My no-fee Capital One account is my primary travel account, my credit union account, which charges a 1% foreign transaction fee and $1/withdrawal after five/month is my backup, and my regular account with the usual US fees is my worst case account.
I can move money between the accounts, via my Vanguard money market account, over the internet - <i>using a VPN for security</i>.
Interesting. My Capital One account has no required minimum.
"Do some people really think it's normal for a single person or a married couple to have more than one checking account? What percentage of people who travel have two or more checking accounts? '
I travel solo for two or three months at a time. I take three ATM cards and four credit cards. My no-fee Capital One account is my primary travel account, my credit union account, which charges a 1% foreign transaction fee and $1/withdrawal after five/month is my backup, and my regular account with the usual US fees is my worst case account.
I can move money between the accounts, via my Vanguard money market account, over the internet - <i>using a VPN for security</i>.
May 31st, 2016, 07:03 AM
#40
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I'd add that there is no minimum balance with Capital One 360 and the checking account is free. Given that my regular bank charges $5 per withdrawal and a conversation fee of (I think) 3%, for me it was a no brainer. Now that our trip is over, I don't have much of a balance in the account but I'll restock it before our next trip.
