tom_mn

If you are leaving next week you do not have enough time to set up a bank card or credit card, but just want to say in response to above comment about poor ATM rates at airports, I used the only ATM at terminal 1, FCO Rome (It was a Poste Italia ATM), and actually got a better rate than the going rate for that day-- I checked on xe.com, i.e. I "made money." No 1% charge, actually made money.

Makes up for the poorer rates I got at 2 ATMs in Germany where I was charged 1.5% (Targo Bank, Deutsche Postbank).

NeoPatrick

"Don;t know about not getting an ATM card. You should be able to walk into your bank and get one attached to your checking account on the spot - or delivered overnight."

"If you are leaving next week you do not have enough time to set up a bank card or credit card. . ."

As usual you have to sort through the directly opposing opinions or statements on these threads. I'm more in the camp of the first of the two comments above. Most banks, where you have a checking account, can set up and give you at ATM card connected to that account on the spot. I have no idea why you "do not have enought time to set up a bank card".

Heck, I even just got a new Frontier Airlines Master Card in a new account from Barclay. I mailed in the application and received my card in less than a week. Dealing with your own bank should be a snap.

tom_mn

You should be able to walk into your bank and get one attached to your checking account on the spot - or delivered overnight."
]
I simply can't imagine that this is ever true, these are always mailed from out of state. Also, even overnighting will take a few days to initiate and receive-- at least 3 business days.

Edward2005

Good grief, people, why jump on zenfoodist for asking a simple question? Not everyone is an experienced traveler. I understand that some questions are frequently asked, but if you are tired of responding to the same kind of question then just skip the thread. The correct response is not biting off the newbie's head or submitting a passive aggressive answer.

Travel is awesome, so share your excitement and experience!

socaltraveler

She's not a newbie, just absent from these boards for awhile. And she has authored many, many posts about this trip. I don't get the sense anyone is 'jumping' on her here. But I will put myself in the group of those who are a bit curious how you use mostly cash, but do not use a debit card in this day and age. Other than that, I am sure everyone wishes her and her family a wonderful vacation.

And zen, hope you all do enjoy those small non-touristic dining experiences. From your previous comments about your work in the food biz, your son's strong interest in gourmet dining, your involvement on Chowhound, etc., guess I thought that is where you were heading.

UNCalum

Count me among those who know for a fact that a debit card can be created and issued on the spot in some cases. My credit union did that for me a few years ago, so it would seem that at least some banks could so so as well, especially for an existing account.

That said, I do know a couple of people who still go inside the bank to withdraw cash for the upcoming week. Old habits die hard, I guess, but to each his own.

zenfoodist

I am indeed one of those people who goes to the bank and withdraws cash for the MONTH. When I run out, I am done. Simple and easy. Haven't had any issues and we travel A LOT. Just not to Europe for some time. I will use an ATM for this trip though. Not sure why this would arouse such curiosity. Different strokes for different folks. It's worked out quite well for me. I've managed to live a fairly high quality life without a debit card

NeoPatrick

Tom_mn, maybe you can't imagine it, but it is often true. And in fact once we got to NYC on a stop on our way to Europe and discovered we were missing an ATM card. We called our BofA in Naples, Florida, and they sent us a new one to our NYC hotel -- received WITHIN 24 hours. I think you either need a better imagination OR a better bank.

nytraveler

Options on getting a new card will depend on your bank.

We have Citibank and a couple of years ago the ATM cracked my card so it wouldn't work. It was Sat - so open - and I just walked over to the bank side and got an officer to have them make me a new card on the spot. (Yes, it was a large branch.)

And I have had credit cards that were compromised replaced overnight two separate times - one AmEx and one Visa (I just told them I was traveling in the next few days and needed it).

Creating these cards is not brain surgery. Assume you contact them early in the day there is no reason they can;t create the card that day (assuming an existing account) and Fed Ex it to any place in the US.

If your bank can;t do this you probably need a new bank.

janisj

>>I simply can't imagine that this is ever true, these are always mailed from out of state. Also, even overnighting will take a few days to initiate and receive-- at least 3 business days.<<

That is unfathomable to me. I have more than once received a ATM while waiting at the bank/credit union. They have the blanks on site . . .

Now credit cards are different.

zenfoodist

I have a new ATM card. It took all of 15 minutes at the bank. Hopefully this settles the dispute.

Kathie

Great! I'm so glad you now have it in hand. And did they tell you what they charge for withdrawals?

zenfoodist

ATM is $5.00 plus 3%.

Sapphire credit card has no foreign transaction fees though.

I will mostly use my credit card methinks.

UNCalum

So glad your problem is solved, Zen. I think the angst from so many was rooted in concern for your safety if indeed you were unable to get a debit card quickly and had to carry a great deal of cash.

Please encourage your folks to wear a money belt for the bulk of their cash if they have never before had to be concerned about pickpockets. Older people are often targets, so encourage them to put as many zippers as possible between their daily cash and a would-be thief. You might, for example, consider a day bag or purse that zips all the way across and put a wallet inside a zippered compartment in it. A cross body bag helps, too. I often travel with students, and these small suggestions have always worked for us!

NewbE

zenfoodist, I was curious only because no one I know does as you do--I attach no judgment to that, of course you do as suits you and it's none of my business! I meant no offense.

Trophywife007

>>ATM is $5.00 plus 3%.<<

That's what my bank (BoA) charges, minus the $5 if I use a partner bank ATM.

I do use mostly my no fee charge cards so I don't worry too much about that ATM 3% fee. I figure I'm $$ ahead compared to the dark ages when we were using travelers cheques and changing money every time we crossed a border.

Don't most of us have a lot of old foreign change we can no longer use?

tom_mn

I am not familiar with an ATM card that is handed out, but it seems to happen to others. I assume this is not a debit card with a visa or mastercard logo? Is there some other kind of ATM card that isn't a debit card? Anyway, this is all off topic.

I see Zenfoodist has the deal that my normal bank offers, the worst possible, $5 + 3%. It took me about 10 days to set up an account at CapitalOne 360 and receive the debit mastercard/ATM card. But it was worth for no fees, saves about $100/trip.

janisj

tom_mm: To finish up w/ the ATM cards . . .

>>I assume this is not a debit card with a visa or mastercard logo?<<

In my case and IME they can issue which ever one wants - a debit card OR an ATM-only card. Most any bank or credit union can issue ATM/Debit cards on site. That is what they do when one goes into a branch to open a new account -- they give you the card and even walk you to the machine to show you how it works. I'm surprised that you are surprised . . .

tom_mn

I don't open up bank accounts that often but when I have the ATM card and personal checks are received later via mail.

You mean they set up the 3D type with your name, 16 digit number, and expiration date on it and stamp it right in the bank? Then ink on the black for the raised letters?

NeoPatrick

Oh, tom_mn, Capital One 360! That explains a lot, as that isn't really a regular bank account -- or least the one I have isn't. It's an "online banking account", so I'm not surprised you can't get a card instantly in a branch office of Capital One. In fact, I once stopped at a Capital One bank. I wanted to endorse a check and deposit it in my Capital One checking account. I was shocked that I couldn't do that. They said they could only provide me with a deposit slip and envelope and MAIL it to the main office -- in Texas I think, as the bank literally is NOT connected with the online banking accounts.

But as several others have said "real" banks often can issue an ATM card on the spot immediately.