We've been to Europe a couple of times and I must admit, we've never had a problem with using our credit or debit card. BUT, I have always brought 2 different ones from different banks - just in case. Is this stupid ? I'd rather not have to open up a second account again, if I don't have too. Thank you for any thoughts.

Two debit/ATM cards is the minimum I'd contemplate. If the only one you have gets lost, stolen, or blocked, what would you do?

Sounds like common sense to me. I have had trouble with my bank where I have tried to use cash points in two countries in quick sucession, only to find the bank decline the second try. Two cards would prevent this thought it might pay to put the second card somewhere else in case you lose your wallet...

Absolutely, you should bring 2 different cards from 2 different institutions. Perhaps keep the 2nd account open after you return, just for future travels.

Marcielee
I concur. It's a comfort zone thing. Chances are everything will be fine - but the consequences are high if something makes the first card inactive. Seems a little like buying life insurance.

Since most banks will waive fees on checking accounts if you have some sort of direct deposit attached, why not keep the extra account open and use it as a vacation fund account - just have an automatic transfer set up every month or whatever. Then you wont have any fee for keeping the account open and you will have your vacation money just sitting there waiting for you

We took atm cards attached to 2 different accounts along with our main credit card and a back up card each.

As there's more than one of you I'd take 2 cards for EACH account

I would strongly recommend bringing at least 2 cards. We traveled thru several European countries last May. Didn't have a problem until we entered Italy. While we were in Italy we tried our ATM card in different banks in different towns, to no avail. Not until we came back to France did our ATM card work. We called the bank and they could not figure out why it wasn't working, and we still don't know what happened.

I'm a pretty cautious person financially, but I think it's overkill. I'm amazed so many people have multiple bank accounts in different institutions just for traveling a little. I think that sounds like a lot of trouble and I have financial reasons (not to mention convenience) to have my checking account in only one bank.

I guess I am living on the edge, but I haven't had any major problem doing this, and we all used to travel without ATM cards, remember. I have other backup methods of getting cash in an emergency, I don't depend just on my bank ATM card, that's the bottom line. I also don't wait until the last minute and run out of cash before getting more. I also know from experience my bank is reliable and isn't going to block my account or something for no reason. My card hasn't worked a couple times for various reasons (ATM down, one system who knows, etc.), but I just tried again the next day and got some cash. If I had to, I could get money on a credit card, but I also carry TCs as backup as I get them free from my bank or AAA.

I think if you can just get extra cards or something, that's fine, but I sure wouldn't happen a bank account just because I travel a few weeks a year and am afraid my ATM card won't work.

Dear marcielee,
I sympathize completely.
While in Germany a couple of years back, the Citibank ATM swallowed my card and would not give it back. Apparently the command sequence for the transaction was a bit different from what I was used to in the U.S. This was at 11:00 p.m. on a Saturday. I was able to contact a Citibank rep the same evening, but the only options they offered were either to stay in the town until Monday morning and retrieve my actual card, or have them send me a new card. The only catch to having the card sent was that Citibank would only go as far as Fedexing it to my home in the U.S. I had another 4 days to go before returning home. I did not want to stay and wrangle with the local branch personnel on Monday. So, I was very, very glad that I'd brought another bank's ATM card. The other option would have been to call one of the credit card companies whose card I was carrying and ask for a PIN number, I guess.

So go ahead and bring that second card if it makes you feel better. I sure will.

I always take two. First for the obvious reasons already stated, but also if for some wierd reason I would need more cash than the daily withdrawel on one, I can access the other. That has never happened, but I'm a long way from home. I also leave a check from each bank made out to the other bank so if my card got eaten or didn't work, my SO could transfer the money out of one account and put it in the other. If all that fails, then I just don't know what I can say except HELP!!!!

I wonder if in case of emergency somebody at home can send me cash using Western Union. Is it at all possible?

Because I often travel solo, I take two ATM cards. If I had a SO along w/ his own ATM card I wouldn't bother. But when I'm on my own I really like to have a backup card.

Another Fodorite that takes two ATM cards from two different account which are in two different financial institutions. Not a big deal..and you will be so glad if you have a problem of any kind with one of your ATM cards that you have the other one marcielee.

I just want to add that a second card can come in handy. We have used our ATM cards all over the US, Canada, and Europe, but for the first time last March, DH's ATM card wouldn't work in Italy, in several places. The same card, the same account, the same PIN, etc. that we had used in Italy every year for the past 5 years. Just a fluke, but was he glad I had another account with another card.

I think I will call and get a PIN for at least one of my credit cards. We usually each take an ATM card and a credit card, and I don't think it would be much trouble to set up a PIN for one of the credit cards.

Personally, I do better away from home when I have my bases covered; it helps me to relax.

Marcielee (which is my dear, dear goddaughter's name, BTW), I don't think it is stupid at all. But maybe rather than setting up a new account (I'm assuming that you've since closed the account from the different bank) maybe you could get a PIN for a credit card.