Was just reading an old thread of top 10 travel tips. Using an ATM for getting cash was one of the tips, but someone mentioned, in passing, to have a 4 digit pin number. Do numbers longer than 4 digits not work in Europe?

Hi<BR> The reviews on this are mixed. Some folks say that pin nos &gt;4 digits won't work, others say they do.<BR><BR> If you have a longer pin number, you might wish to change it. If necessary, you could open an account in another bank just for your travel expenses.

Look at the situation this way: Four digit pin numbers work throughout the USA, Canada, and every country of Western Europe that I have visited. With such international convenience so easily available, why would you have anything else??<BR><BR>I have opened up two new checking accounts in recent years and, for each account, I selected a 4 digit pin number; they seemed to me to be standard fare.<BR><BR>I have also found that my normal non check card ATM card works at almost all bank ATM machines in Europe. As a safety precaution, I also carry my check (debit) card, but it is used only for cash withdrawal purposes. I use my credit card for purchases because I get to review the charges befoe I pay the bill.<BR><BR>I also take along 2 credit cards, each one issued by a different bank. One of them is based on a bank that socks me with the extra 2% &quot;conversion&quot; fee above the 1% that Visa and MC charge, so it does not get used unless the other one for some reason is not acceptable. <BR><BR>Only once has one of my credit cards been rejected. That episode happened in Paris when the waiter returned in a state of high agitation saying my card was &quot;Non goood&quot;. When my wife got up to go get money, he just about finished blowing his gaskets. (Bad oil leak.)I quickly pulled out some AE checks and laid them on the table while I rummaged for my other credit card. The checks on the table at least had a calming effect. (He quit leaking oil.)<BR><BR>The reason for carrying two cash cards is simple. If one of them was eaten by the ATM or, heaven forbid, lost, I would have a backup. My wife also carries hers, so we have double backup.<BR><BR>This year I had a second checking account that was used for trip purposes, with the regular account being our reserve account, just in case.<BR><BR>I also out of habit have carried a few traveler's checks denominated in US dollars. None of them the last 4 trips were ever used until I got home and deposited them in my checking account. (I guess you could say showing them to the agitated waiter was &quot;use&quot;, but the checks came home with me, intact. <BR><BR>So my overall money strategy is as follows:<BR>1. Get a small amount of the currency of my first airport so I will not be reliant on ATM machines immediately after arrival. I have enough for cab fare and a few incidentals until I can locate an ATM when it is convenient for me. Purchasing euros here usually costs me 5% unless I can find someone with euros to exchange for dollars. We then agree on the wholesale bank rate and both of us profit.<BR><BR>2. Take along my ATM and debit cards for cash withdrawals after I arrive.<BR><BR>3. Use my credit card, the non 2% one, for most purchases over 40 e. (And for heaven's sakes don't routinely use your credit card to obtain paper money; that is a cash advance and you pay cash advance fees!!)<BR><BR>4. Have a few US dollar travelers checks as an emergency backup.<BR><BR>5. I leave a check written on my money market account with a bank deposit slip in my son's hands. If a major, long term problem arises, I call him and he deposits the check to my checking account. So far this last line of financial defense has never been used, but I was wondering about it the day after 9/11 when I was, for the time being, stranded in Europe.<BR>

It seems that Bob has said it all.<BR>Good post.

From personal experience, my 4 digit PIN number worked in France and Switzerland. <BR><BR>Also Bob Brown offers excellent advice.