ATMs and debit cards
 

We're returning to Italy and I forgot if the ATM/debit cards required a special passcode. I had BOA two years ago and now have BB&T.
My password is a 4 digit code and I recall someone saying it required a "0"?

You probably read that the first digit should not be 0. I don't know how true that is, but I've read that on this board.

My BOA ATM card didn't work last week ...I got a "Not valid for International use" on a Deutche Bank ATM in Frankfurt airport, and it didn't work in Rome either!

A 4 digit code has always worked for me. There are some reports that if you do not have the Visa logo on your card it will not work. However, you should warn your bank that you will be abroad.

Hi

I notified BoA that we were travelling through Germany, Switzerland, and Austria and had no problems using my ATM card and I had no special passcode. DH uses BB&T and had good luck also.

I do remember that BB&T charged a little more on transactions and BofA charged nothing.

Actually BofA charges $5 except at their partner banks.

You can have a 0 in your PIN - but it is best that the first number is not a 0. This was vital years ago - but in general a leading 0 is OK now. But just to be on the safe side use a PIN that doesn't start w/ 0.

We always travel with debit cards from 2 different banks, BOA and a local bank, so that we will not get caught short if one card does not work. Having two cards also gives us access to more cash when we need it. Our local bank is a much better deal because they do not have charges for overseas usage.

My BofA card has a 6-digit pin. Anybody else? Haven't tried to use it in Europe -- anybody else have any experience with a 6-digit pin? ((b))

Change it to 4 digits, whilst it MAY work it's odds on that when you really do need it it won't work

For your information, I have been using HSBC, ATM card issued from Bahrain with 6 digits all over Europe with no difficulties. Last summer have use it and also used ATM/Debit Master Card issed by National Bank of Bahrain with only 4 digits. Both cards worked in Germany and Switzerland. This October have used both in Greece "Hania" and worked with no problem.

Has anyone used an ATM card in Europe that is strickly an ATM card ? (Not a visa or mastercard)

Hi patibon,

I used a BB&T debit card in Switzerland a few years ago, and it was a total fiasco. The card didn't work in ANY bank machine anywhere; I tried every machine in several towns. I called BB&T, and they basically said, "too bad, not our fault." The Swiss banks also said it was not their fault.

When I got home, I closed my account and got another bank. It wasn't only that the card didn't work, it was their total lack of care. They had nothing to add, no ideas to help.

Sorry; hit "post" by error.

Anwyay, I wish BB&T had just offered some sort of solution -- anything. Maybe an emergency replacement card. But, even after about four calls (on MY dime), they continued to be uncaring.

By the way, this wasn't my first use of debit cards/atms in Europe. I first used them with another bank in Grindelwald in 1995. I've been using my new bank's cards (USAA) with no problems at all since then (about two trips to Switzerland and Germany).

I wouldn't use BB&T if you paid me.

s

USAA is a fine company but evidently one can no longer have a bank account with them unless they also have their insurance with USAA. USAA is for military and retired military.

traveler2,
I use an ATM only card in Italy every year with no problem.

Henry

Yes, I'm retired military. But there are plenty of other banks out there with better customer service. I used Regions for years with no problems.

s

Henry, Thanks for info. I was getting a little concerned that I wouldn't be able to use ATM only card! Good to know that it is accepted.

My CU charges $2.50 to $5.0 for overseas atm w/drawals. There may be other fees (exchange rate fees, and the other banks' atm fees). For those of you who used their atms, what kind of fees did you incur besides the one that your bank charged ($5.00 w/ BoA, or $1.5 w/ 5/3, free w/ First Republic etc?) Is there a message that come up to warn you of such charges? (It does usually over here in the U.S.) Are ATM messages in English? I don't mind paying $2.50 or even little more using my CU but I don't want to pay like $20 for additional fees from other banks and exchange fees, etc? I will make 3 to 4 withdrawals over my entire 2 week-trip. At Rome airport for sure, in Paris, and in London, etc. Please advise best ATM card and info. Thank you again. Happy New Year.

alliecat: European banks do not charge a fee to use their ATMs. The only thing you will pay is what your own bank/CU charges.

Just be sure to always use ATMs affiliated w/ a bank - not independent ones (like you might see in a casino in the States). Those are not regulated like banks are . . . .

My sixteen year old daughters ATM/Debit card is with USAA. She is not in the military and neither is my husband or I. We carry no insurance with USAA either. But USAA is our investment company. So if anyone is interested in USAA I would contact them directly.

hester--USAA is/has changed that policy. It used to be that you had to have the military connection for the insurance, but anyone could use the banking division. Not anymore. For some reason, I think today is the deadline. Anyway, USAA is a fantastic company and anyone who has the option should look into it. I have been covered by USAA my entire life (parents and then DH all military) and we have always had great service. BTW, our DD has the debit card too:)

Has anyone tried to use a Citibank debit card over there? Mine has a Mastercard logo on it. Thanks!

From another similar thread just above this one:

Author: Jan_Tony
Date: 01/01/2007, 08:06 am

Our Citibank Mastercard charges 1% on foreign transactions. If we buy 100 Euros = $128.00 a fee of $1.28 is charged. No debit card fees for exchanging dollars to Euros since Citibank has ATM's all over Europe.


Jan then went on to say when asked that if you use the card at a NON Citbank ATM there is a $2 fee.

On our recent trip to England and Spain we made several withdrawals from different banks there. The banks in Spain each charged us a small fee for using their ATMs while the ones in England did not. What made it worse is that each transaction was listed as two withdrawals, one for the money we received and the other for the ATM fee. Our credit union then charged us an additional $1.25 fee for each withdrawal.

NotMe, I think you may be mistaken. Last I knew it is illegal for any bank in Europe to charge for the use of a foreign ATM card in one of their machines. If a charge was added it was done by YOUR bank/credit union.

Someone correct me if there has been a new or recent change to that policy.

I suspect what you saw was a line that showed the charge for the currency "exhange" -- probably one percent that is levied by Master Card or Visa (whoever has your debit/ATM card) or by your bank. Then your credit union added a flat fee in addition. But it was not the bank in Spain that charged you the fee.

NeoPatrick
Thanks for clearing that up. The fee was 1% of the amount withdrawn. I guess it was from Visa as that is what is on my ATM card. However, I'm still confused as to why it only showed up on the transactions in Spain and not on the two withdrawals I made in the UK. Also, its still a bummer that my CU charged me a fee for each withdrawal even though it was really on one transaction.