ATM in Paris Logistics
 

Since we don't speak or read French (other than a few words), please help in the logistics of using an ATM in Paris.

When you put your card into the reader, does it offer to do the transaction in English?

If it doesn't, is the next prompt to enter your pin? How is that spelled out in French? I can't really google translate it because I don't know how the machine presents the prompt.

Can someone show me in French, what the prompt would be to enter the pin, and then of course to recognize the next question of withdrawal, deposit etc. so we choose the right button to withdraw the specfiied amount of cash we want that day. I would like to see a preview so I can recognize it when I am at the machine if that makes any sense.

Also, is their a euro limit per day that can be withdrawn? Does that depend upon each bank? Sorry for so many questions, but this "stupid American" wants to not fumble at the machine.

I can't give you specific answers to your questions, but can tell you I've used ATM's in Paris many times without any problems. I'm thinking that since my recollections are so vague, an English option must have been offered and from there it was like any other (US) ATM transaction. As far as the limit, there were a couple of times I took 200-300 euros wondering if that would be a problem with my home bank, but it didn't seem to be (of course I have no idea what my daily max is). Wow, I sound like I'm not very detail oriented, don't I?

You will have no problems using ATMs - there are English instructions. The only thing (and this is all over Europe) - you PIN should be numeric since there are no letters on teh key pads. But if you have letters in your PIN - just be sure to memorize the numerical equivalent.

"<i>Also, is their a euro limit per day that can be withdrawn? Does that depend upon each bank? </i>"

The limit comes from your own bank. There may be a limit on how much you can take out on one transaction, but if you need more you just reinsert you card or step to another ATM.

But the overall limitation per day is from your bank . . . .

The machines speak English. And yes, your own bank sets your limit.

I don't use the English option, but they all seem to have it, as well as other languages. It's a combination of your own bank that sets the limit, and the bank from which you're withdrawing. Before I leave for Europe, I have my bank increase my withdrawal limit by a few hundred dollars. Sometimes I can take out that much at a French bank, sometimes not. If not, just walk down the street to the next ATM and do another transaction.

I never really pay attention to it, but I believe the first thing the screen says is "Veuillez inserrer votre carte" (please insert your card). Then you would choose "Retraite." Then you'd input your card number. Then the number of euros you want. Then you'd hit "Valider."

I think StCirq means you input your PIN, in case it's not clear, it wouldn't be your entire CC number. The phrase would correctly be "veuillez insérer" and it would say "retrait" for withdrawal. It may ask you to input your PIN, which would be your "code d’accès personnel". Some of the buttons are in English, anyway, as I recall (I think OK is green and STOP is red).

I think these are the steps
1) Veuillez insérer votre carte.
2) Veuillez taper votre code personnel.
3) Choissez le type d'opération bancaire:
dépôt
transfert
règlement de débits par carte de crédit
4) Indiquez le montant.
5) Enlevez votre carte, les billets et votre reçu.


or 1) please insert your card, 2) please type your PIN, 3) choose the type of banking operation (deposit, transfer, settle your debits by credit card); 4) indicate the amount, 5) remove your card, the bills and your receipt.

I was always offered a language option. It either asked "English" or a choice of national flags representing the languages. Choose the symbol with the Union Jack.

"<i>Choose the symbol with the Union Jack.</i>" :)

I remember standing in a queue at an ATM in the Louvre Carousel behind an American couple. Talking loud enough to hear (natch!) about husband not being able to use the machine because he didn't understand the instructions. His wife was upset and kept saying but it HAS to work, we are out of money! I <i>gently</i> (honest! ;) ) suggested they click on the union jack symbol -- but they had to be convinced because "we only speak English".

They eventually believed me (probably only because I also have an American accent) and got their cash . . . .

Thanks. That is exactly what I was looking for.

Christina,

In number 3, then one of the choices would also be retrait, right?

We will look for the union jack first of course but just in case, it is good to recognize it also in the French language.

One most important thing: Be sure to contact your bank about making withdrawals in France. Give them the dates you will be there. Be sure they have the notice on file. Otherwise, they will think there is some kind of fraudulent activity going on and you will not be able to withdraw anything. It's also a good thing if you have more than one bank's ATM card. Contact them both. I contacted my main bank twice before I left and they still held up my card because someone had not passed the notice along. But the second bank worked like a a charm. So just be prepared since you're miles from home and especially if you don't have a good command of French.

Also, ask your bank what partnership they have; that way you look for partnership banks and don't have to pay the fee -- like in the U.S., if you have a B of A card, and go to a Wells Fargo, you get dinged with charges from both banks.

B of A (which we have), for example, has partnerships with Barclays, Deutschbank and BNP.

No, in France you don't get dinged with a charge from the French bank, ever, in my experience. But if your bank isn't on the Star or Plus or Cirrus systems, you might not even be able to use it in France, though I've never met anyone who wasn't on one of the systems used throughout France.

Correct, StCirq, you only get dinged by your home bank in France as opposed to hit at both ends like in the U.S.

I'm sure a gentil native French speaker will contradict me, but I'm sure I remember as a commonly used phrase "saisir code" (meaning "enter your PIN").

You need to be sure thta the money is in your checking account - ATMs in europe don't let you pull from other accounts as you can in the US.

It doesn't have to be your "checking" account. The ATM doesn't care if it's a savings account...but it has to be the primary account linked to your ATM Card.

I have an HSBC Savings Account with an ATM and a separate HSBC Checking Account with a separate ATM Card. Both work just fine dispensing money...so long as there is money there to dispense. ;)

The problem arises when someone has linked savings and checking accts (which is very common in the States - not sure about other countries). You can't specify which acct and can't move money from one to the other.

If you have just checking, or just savings, linked to the card that isn't an issue.

Here's a wrinkle: My wife and I have "our own" separate accounts at a local credit union, but each of us is an authorized user on the other one's account. The credit union's daily withdrawal limit combines the two accounts/cards because each of us can access the other's $$. So, in our case, there is a daily limit--can't get past it by going to another ATM--and it operates as a joint limit. No problem--we have accounts at another credit union and can get $$ from there if we need to. BTW, as almost everyone recommends, use a credit card (from a bank with no- or a low-rate for currency conversion) wherever possible.

Sorry if someone has mentioned this already. Your pin needs to be only 4 digits. I was in France with a friend and he couldn't understand why the ATM kept giving him 40€ when he hadn't been prompted to ask for an amount. Turns out his pin was 6 digits long with 40 being the last two numbers. When he put in only the first four numbers he would get the screen asking what amount he wanted.

It would probably be a good idea to make sure your pin is only 4 digits ahead of time and not rely on this trick, it may not always work.

I also recommend trying to use ATMs during the daylight and, if at all possible, ones that are adjoining a bank that is open. We once used one on a weekend in Italy and the card was "eaten" by the machine. Luckily, this ATM was attached to a bank and we were able to go back during open hours on the following Monday and retrieve the card.