a_wamu_manager

Your WaMu Debit MasterCard can be used at any ATM which displays the MasterCard, Maestro, Cirrus, or Star logo.

If you want to be on the safe side, you can search for a compatible ATM near the town you'll be in here: http://www.mastercard.com/us/persona...ons/index.html

LoveItaly

It is interesting but I read a long trip report written by a lady on slowtrav.com last night. She went to Italy with two other women friends. She was not able to use her WAMU debit card at any ATM in Tuscany, Italy. She finally was able to get cash at a bank in one small city in Tuscany but only after the bank manager at the bank took her card and tried to get cash for her from their bank's ATM to no avail. She spent a lot of money using a calling card to call Washington Mutual several times plus her husband etc. It really caused her stressed during the trip which was understandable. So it does seem that perhaps there are some glitches in the system. I am not a customer of WAMU so I can't say from personal experience.

a_wamu_manager

I searched on that site that I linked you folks to, and did not return anything in Tuscany. There were some in a town called Tuscania, which I am not certain if those are one in the same or not...

JandaO

a_wamu_manager

thank you so much !!!

vedette

I just got back from 3 weeks in France and had no problems getting ATM withdrawals using my WAMU debit cared.

LoveItaly

Hello a_wamu_manager, Tuscany (English version) or Tuscana (Italian verision) is a very important region in Italy and where many travellers go to visit and also stay in be it hotels or rentals. Florence is in Tuscany/Tuscana.

If your bank customers cannot utilize their ATM cards at ATM's in Tuscany/Tuscana your bank is not giving proper service. A situation I would strongly suggest you discuss with the powers to be, if you have the authority to do so. Best regards.

de_vogon

JandaO,

i live in the Netherlands and can tell you i have no luck whatsoever using a WaMu card with Cirrus and Star on it. my family has tried to use this to give gifts to me and my daughter (from the states) but after several weeks of discussion with WaMu it's time for us to find another u.s. bank.

a_wamu_manager

Again, if Tuscania and Tuscany are one in the same (I've never been to Italy), then I was able to pull up 4 ATMs there using the MasterCard site I linked to in my previous postings. If not, then I apologize, but that is something beyond our control, as MasterCard decides where to place their ATMs. Have a nice day!

a_wamu_manager

Allow me to clarify my previous posting.

First of all, I evidently did not look through all the search results on the ATM locator, there are actually 9 ATMs listed on their site.

Second, we are very much at the whim of MasterCard when it comes to international ATMs. The Cirrus and Maestro networks are owned by MasterCard, and the Star network only operates inside the US.

FainaAgain

Hmmm... and I was thinking of getting a WaMu ATM card as a backup... anybody has this card? NOT a debit card, ATM only?

italyss

Why risk it? Also, going into a bank to get a cash advance acrues MUCH higher interest rates, so I would only use that method in a real pinch. There is nothing worse than being stuck in front of an ATM machine that keeps spitting out your card. I carry two ATM cards, one from my credit union which has a VISA logo on the front, and Cirrus and Star logos on the back. I just used it all over Italy. The only problem is that it has a very low daily max at $310, which is peanuts now in Euroland. I also take along a PNC ATM card, with a VISA logo on the front, and Star and Plus logos on the back. I used that card all over Italy and Switzerland, with no problem. Also, it has a higher daily max of $500. Also, I think that the WAMU card only has Star as a logo on the back. If it really does work in the other systems, then why don't the logos on the back reflect that? Also, I always call the banks to tell them that I am using the card in other countries, otherwise I would have a problem. I would never travel without an array of ATM and credit cards, euros, and dollars at my disposal. Too many headaches.

a_wamu_manager

An ATM-only card from WaMu is useable on the same networks as the Debit MasterCard. The only downside with it is that it has a daily cash withdrawal limit of only $300 USD.

As for why the other logos arent on the back of the card, it is because Cirrus and Maestro are divisions of MasterCard itself.

roderick55

THERE IS A BANK... that takes wamu atm card in barcelona. It's called BANCO SANTANDER CENTRAL HISPANO there is one on la Rambla about 50 meters from the Amex office at la Rambla Cataluña, 74 and one in Barceloneta on the main street that goes to the beach, Also on Mistrael 10, near Rocafort St. Banks in spain are eaisly identified, Santander Cenrtal Hispano is bright red.

roderick55

I must add that the post from the WAMU rep. is patently FALSE! Your WAMU atm card with the Mastercard logo will NOT work at 'any' ATM displaying the Mastercard logo in Barcelona. I'm here in Barcelona, I have tried at least 25 ATMs with the MC logo and got REFUSED cash!!!

Banco Santander Central Hispano is the only bank I found in all of barcelona where it works.

You can go to the American Express office and they will happily cash a personal check as well. (I think you need an amex card...)

Barcelona is fantastic! WAMU sucks.

Ashes

Has anyone tried Wamu's gold card in Greece yet? I spoke to a Wamu rep who assured me it would work. However, he had even heard that there had been problems and he had no idea that the Star network only worked in the US. That doesn't fill me with hope.

I did email Wamu and they replied that it should work fine in Greece.

I was thinking about getting on of those VISA TraveCards that you can prepay with a card it card and then load it up something like up to 3 times online or over the phone. Has anyone tried one of these? It's supposed to work at ATMs that accpet VISA and Plus cards.

Trophywife007

roderick55: I hope you keep a few notes on your experiences and write a letter to WaMu. They really need to address this issue. What good is a bank card with which you can't access your money? I never had any such trouble with BofA or Citi.

a_wamu_manager: What say you?

hester

I just returned from Ireland and London and used my WAMU Debit card and ATM card. They both worked fine in both places. I went all over Ireland and didn't have any problems with either card.

a_wamu_manager

Ashes: The STAR network only exists in the US. STAR doesnt have any international ATMs.

Roderick55: I hear quite a few more positive stories here than negative ones. Dare I suggest operator error?

Ashes

a_wamu_manager: Yes, I know the Star network only works in the US. As I statement in my post, it ME that had to tell the Wamu rep on the phone this information. He seemed completely unaware that Star was a US only network. He was also totally in the dark that people were even having problems with the card. When I seem to know more than the rep I talk to I have a hard time believing anything that he's telling me. I'm currently trying to get in touch with people who have been to Greece and actually used the new card.

chef111

Hi I'm new this is a question not a reply. Hope it's in the right place!
I am going to Ireland (north & south) in September for 2 weeks. I am terrified by the ATM problems & DCC scam! I want to know if anyone recently (Like this summer) went to Ireland & used a WASHINGTON MUTUAL ATM card? I have a plain old ATM card with CIRRUS & STAR on the back (I refused the new Mastercard Gold Debit?).Also for a credit card all I have is a Citibank Mastercard-that's it! Should I frett & bring Euro/Shilling w/me or should I be fine?
Please help!!! Thank You