jrjcolllins

We got a Capital One debit card before we went to Japan this past May. When we tried to withdraw cash from our ATM, it was denied. We had tried out our pin numbers before we left. So we thought, great, we'll just call the phone number on the back to find out what happened. What we discovered is that Capital One does NOT have a 24 hour number which is particularly inconvenient in a completely different time zone. It was a weekend and they were closed. We were very irritated. Luckily we had a credit card with us from Chase that did work (but with the high fees). When we came back, we got a debit card with Charles Schwab Bank because they do not have the fees and they have a free 24-hour, 7 days a week phone number to call from overseas.

PalenQ

make sure the strip on your card is in pristine condition - i found out that one card i had with a worn strip would not work in all the ATMs that seemed to be more sensitive to this than at home.

Paul1950

FYI: The only charge that the USAA credit card has is passing on the 1% VISA/MC network foreign transaction fee.

I've never been charged anything by the bank that owns the ATM in the EU--at least not in Germany, Austria, Spain, or Italy. I used Deutschebank ATMs in Spain this year and wasn't charged anything, nor was I charged in italy last year. Maybe I was lucky?

At any ATM worldwide, my bank (PNC) gives me a refund if the ATM owner charges me a flat transaction fee (e.g., $5)--it shows up as a credit on my monthly statement.

logos999

> Maybe I was lucky?
Yes, you were. It's a big issue right now in Germany, Banks want up to 5€ per withdraw. It's mostly with debit cards but also credit cards. Many of those ATMs are located at train stations (Reisebank etc.) also the Sparkasse has introduced fees for credit card withdraws from other banks. In any case, so far I was always informed that there would be fees before I had to enter the PIN. But what can you do in a remote place with only on ATM late at night to get some cash. DKB Bank claims that if Sparkasse Bank takes a fee for CC withdrawals at their ATMs, they will refund you. I paid 3€ at Sparkasse, but so far didn't ask for a refund.

radtechmike

I have a credit with a chip and no transaction fees. Should I use this on my European trip or use cash?

Sarastro

Please, there is no context nor point in digging up a thread that is basically 7 years old and asking a new question. This only causes confusion.

Start a new thread with your question, which by the way, has been answered many, many times.

NeoPatrick

not only is it pointless to bring up a 7 year old thread, but it actually gives incorrect information, as many of the things said here are completely NOT true now.

But radtechmike, based on what you say, unless you know a way to get foreign cash cheaper than with no transaction fees of a credit card, then of course it makes the most sense to use that "transaction free" credit card.