On the string with marigross's Paris trip report a discussion started about problems with ATM cards in Paris. To avoid hijacking that great string I am starting this one. Mari described her problems using her ATM card in Paris; I and several others responded. Here's my experience:

On four trips over about 18 months, using an ATM card with MC logo, same card used successfully immediately before and after and in other countries, multiple Paris ATMs at CDG and around town rejected the card. I even went into the lobby of one of the banks (Blue and yelow logo - forget the name) where the staff politely informed me there was nothing they could do, I would have to contact my bank. I did contact Chase, and they swore that it should work at any ATM on the network. I made sure that I tried only ATMs with the right networks (Cirrus, Pulse, NYCE, and Maestro) but to no avail. I also tried the push the buttons slower strategy, as well as push the button more or less fast/softly/firmly and just about every other permutation, to no effect. Oddly, when I used it as a point of sale debit card it worked fine.

After that first episode, someone here suggested that the card must be linked only to a checking account. I contacted Chase and made sure that was done. Turns out it had been linked to both a savings and a credit card account. Hoped that resolved the problem. It did not. Same problem next trip a few months later. Same response from Chase - should work, we don't see any decline messages in the records; mutiple Paris ATMs rejected the card. I believe the message was something like "unable to authorize this transaction" or "transaction not authorized" which could mean a system outage, but it happened repeatedly over several days at all times of day and night so not likely to all be system outages. I emailed Chase, who advised that I use Chase Visa CC instead and offered to refund any charges. I did, it worked, they refunded as promised when I contacted them after receiving the statement.
On return, reverified that card was linked to checking only. Chase said yes. Next trip - same thing again. Used the CC as advised by Chase previous trip, when the charges appeared again called to ask them to reverse charges. Chase: "we never do that"; me: "you did last time"; Chase: "maybe in another department, but not in the CC department, never"; me: "Hello, Bank xyz, I'd like to open an account"

Anyone else who wants to share/vent feel free, and would especially appreciate info anyone can offer about verifying that an ATM card will work in Paris.

Thanks for posting this - I really enjoyed Marigross's trip report and I wanted some more info on the ATM debacle, but didn't want to ruin her post. I'm hoping I can learn from others experiences how to ensure an ATM card will work. Thanks for being considerate of her report and starting this new thread.

I can't explain your troubles, it sounds terribly frustrating.
I have a Chase debit card, linked at home (USA) to both checking and savings, when abroad, I am always able to access only checking.
It has a mastercard logo.
I have used it in atms all over Europe, including Paris last January, without incident. It also works as point of purchase.
I wuold love to know what the answer is, for you.

I'm old school and in the 29 years I've been vacationing in Paris,almost annually, I still take AmExp travelers checks, cash, and 1 or 2 credit cards. I go to AmExp near the Opera house and cash what I need and that's the end of it!They don't charge a fee. I have never used an ATM overseas and I have been on every continent in the world...except Antartica...and still like my traveler's checks. If I run out of money and have an emergency...which is VERY seldom... then I can go with my checkbook to an AmExp office and write a check for the amount I need.They will give me the cash of that country. I even used only traveler's checks and cash on my Dec 2003/Jan 2004 and Dec 2004/Jan 2005 trips to Ghana, West Africa...and two other trips to Africa in the mid 70s before ATMs were invented.I also travel Southeast Asia regularly with the traveler's checks and cash. For those who like ATM cards for overseas...well...more power to them...as for myself...I'm just fine with the system that has worked for me for 3 decades.Nothing to possibly get eaten in the machine or rejected because it won't work. Happy Travels!

I always take about 300.00 in travelers checks just for my piece of mind. I only have one ATM card and am in the process of getting another at my credit union so I have two sources. Question: is it the pin number that can't start with 0 or is it the card? I know..duh. I never use my ATM card when at home, only when I travel.

I don't think anyone can explain your specific ATM problems either. Mari's first ATM strike-out may have been because that particular ATM was not on any of the same international networks as any of her cards (whereas the one after that was...).

As for the Chase problem, whenever your bank does not authorize the transaction, it is a problem of some sort with your bank/account, or maybe the phone lines (internationally, or specific to your bank).

The only times our cards have ever not worked (we figured out finally) were when we attempted a transaction when our bank was offline for "overnight processing" (you must keep the time difference in mind) or we weren't paying attention and the ATM was not on any of the same networks as our card(s).

On our first trip to Paris (and first time traveling with new ATM/debit cards), we tried our cards the first day and neither worked. We were thrilled that we had brought AmExp traveller's checks in French Francs, which we found we were able to cash right at the front desk of our hotel for the face value (no fees, no charges). We tried our ATM cards off and on thereafter, to no avail. Again, we didn't figure out until we got home that this was always early in the morning, while our bank was "offline" and our "Transaction cannot be approved by your bank".

Some years ago, we were weekending in Boston. Upon leaving the hotel, I went to a nearby ATM and withdrew some cash. A few hours later, when I used the card for a purchase, the clerk hollered "Your card was DENIED". After marching down to the bank, it was determined that their computers had been down for half an hour that day, precisely when I was making my purchase.

Note also (and this goes for credit cards as well), sometimes the phone lines are just temporarily jammed. This has happened to us often here in the states. All you have to do is wait 10-20 minutes.

An interesting thing I've learned: we take credit cards where I work. Every once in a while (over many years), one card after another will get declined (for no apparent reason, according to the card holder). When I phone processing service to report same, they immediately have me reprogram the terminal with a different phone number. Apparently, from time to time, too many vendors are programmed to the same phone numbers. Rather than a busy signal or "no connection" message, the transaction is declined.

We've never had problems with the same debit/ATM cards (same accounts, and both our PIN's begin with zero) on subsequent trips to Paris.

For many years, like Guenmai, we traveled with travelers checks, and/or at least one blank check and an AmExp card, just in case, but have done that for ages. (Rather, we carefully conceal a few hundred dollar bills, which can always be exchanged in an emergency.)

But, you just never know...

Hi crefloors, I do not have an ATM card PIN that starts with a zero but my friends in Italy have told me you cannot use an ATM card if the PIN starts with a zero. I have never heard anything about having a problem if the actual account number starts with a zero, but don't think that I have ever had any that did.

I too take some "cash" with me as well as some US cash so I have it on me when I return home.

I too am going to open up a checking account with our credit union, from everything I have read here on Fodors that sounds like a good idea.

Also, at least in Italy, your ATM pin should only be four numbers. Take care!

I am one of the folks interested in the Seamus and Mari's ATM Paris experiences.

My concern is that if your card is denied once or twice, is the third time the charm ? Will it be sucked into the machine and you won't be able to use it?

I really don't want to return to that thick wad of traverlers checks, at an outrageous exchange rate.

I've always said, the ATM is one of the "wonders of the world".

"I go to AmExp near the Opera house and cash what I need and that's the end of it!They don't charge a fee."

Sorry, but anyone who thinks AmEx doesn't make money on traveler's cheques is living in a fool's paradise. No, they don't charge a fee when you buy them. No, they don't charge a fee when you cash them. But if you look at what you PAID for them, you will find that there is 7-8% markup built into the currency conversion. If you use their card to buy foreign from an ATM, they also add "Foreign Exchange Conversion Factor" (FXCF), which is a hedge against fluctuations in the exchange rate between the transaction and settlement.

Terrific, I am going to Paris next month and need to pay my apartment rent up front in cash money - €'s -when I meet the landlord. I do hate to buy them here in NY as the rate is so much higher. I had no trouble with my ATM card - non-debit - in Paris a year ago.

Previously I read on a thread about Switzerland by maybe Ingo or one of the other Swiss regulars of problems with an ATM card in Switzerland. Well, I had no trouble there whatsoever last month. I always call my bank and tell them where and when I am going.

I will think positive plus I do have credit cards with PIN numbers if I have no other choice.

I also had trouble in March with my ATM card in Paris.(Had no problem in Germany) It would work sometimes, and the next time it wouldn't. The odd thing was my daughter had no problem with her ATM card issued by the same bank and the same branch.

Hello, My husband and I were in paris this June of 2005. We never got our visa Atm card to work. You can read my trip report by clicking my name. I called the bank before I left for Paris but there still was a problem. It really is frightening when you have no money!!!!

We had a mastercard ATM, just want to clarify the mistake in my previous post. Patti

This may or may not be of help.

I remember reading somewhere( maybe Rick Steves) that the magnetic strip of a credit card gets worn out faster in European banks. He advised to take a duplicate. My card was fairly old, so I made sure to get a duplicate from the bank. My first card did not work, but my new one went through just fine.

Hi

I was going to suggest the same thing as Simone. I don't know about "the magnetic strip of a credit card gets worn out faster in European banks." In my case it's not the magnetic strip that's the problem but more so the funds in the account! How old is your credit card? And/or have you used it extensively? It might be better to get issued with a new one.

Good luck

Sometimes the problem is the amount of money you are trying to withdraw. I had to pay cash for my hotel in Prague last year and tried to get close to the exact amount but my requests were denied. When I tried different combinations I got the money but wound up with 200 crowns extra. Probably has to do with the denominations of bills available in the machine.

My heart almost stopped in Paris a few weeks ago when my request for 500 euros was denied on arrival at CDG. I put the card back in and requested 300 euros and out they came! I had plenty of money in the account but apparently my credit union limits withdrawals to 300 at a time so I got 300 more the next day. $1.00 charge for each withdrawal, which I consider a bargain. I had too many problems with travelers checks to every use them again.

I hadn't checked on limitations for withdrawals before I left but it might be a good idea so you're not shocked when your request is denied.

I must have been very lucky, because I just came back from Paris and Bruges, Brussels & Amsterdam and used my ATM card to get money in each city and didn't have any problems at all. I also used my ATM/debit card as a "credit card" in several places and no problem. I guess the ATM God must have been looking out for me.

It used to be that ATMs in Europe did not accept 6 digit pin numbers, only 4 digit. But apparently this is changing as well. Perhaps that was the problem?

My ATM debit card with VISA logo has a pin number beginning with zero. It has worked just fine in Italy, Spain, and France.

The only times I've ever encountered an ATM machine that wouldn't give me money were Sunday mornings in France, and I pretty quickly figured out that there was some regular overnight processing thing going on at my bank in the US. When I used the card late afternoon or evening on a Sunday, I always got the cash.

What's with the hostility, Robespierre? If folks don't want to use Amexp/traveler's checks then so be it. I don't pay a fee, at home, to buy my AmExp traveler's checks and as for the exchange rate when I cash them, the exchange rate at AmExp in Paris is higher than the exchange rate at the exchange booths around town and the exchange booths do charge a lot to cash anything.I have not had any extra cashing fee tagged on at AmExp. Plus, I don't have to worry about an ATM card being denied or sucked up into a machine. As far as I'm concerned it's peace of mind for me and I'll continue using the system that has worked for me for 3-plus decades. Now, take a tranquilizer and chill out. This is fodors.com...not lonelyplanet.com Happy Travels!