Debit Card Question
 

Headed for the Mediterranean first two weeks in September and am confused about ATM/Debit card acceptance. My card only has the STAR insignia on the back, no mention of any other networks. Some have said only the Cirrus insignia will work in most ATM's. Anyone have experience or thoughts?

Unfortunately you're probably up the creek without an ATM card....STAR is a region US shared teller network that is not represented anywhere in Europe to the best of my vast knowledge...

Check with your bank if they are affiliated with any other shared teller networks or perhaps this is their way of trying to get you into getting a debit card which will have a visa or mastercard logo.

And while you're talking to your bank, be sure to let them know you'll be out of the country and using your debit card, if you manage to do so. Most banks automatically "protect" domestic accounts from overseas charges unless you specifically ask them to remove the block. It's meant to prevent fraud, of course, but has caused a bit of confusion to many who didn't know about it.

Also ask what the charge will be to withdraw funds. My daughter is in Europe this summer. It costs her 3.5% to use her Chase ATM card for cash or as a credit card. ouch.

You can pre-load a card from AAA to use as a credit card and also for cash if you want...check it out at a local AAA office. It might be a better option if your bank ATM isn't going to be easy to use in Europe.

ttt

LadyOLeisure. Are you saying your daughter's Chase card is linked to a checking account at Chase and when she used it to withdraw her own funds from her own account, there was a 3.5% charge? That must be a new record in my opinion. If on the other hand it is a strictly a credit card NOT linked to her own bank account, that doesn't surprise me in the least.

Those prepaid 'travel money' cards are very expensive, with a fee attached to all possible functions (to buy it, reload it, use it, empty it, etc).

The best thing to do is open a FREE checking acct, fund it for travel, and use the Visa check-card offered with the account at ATMS in Europe. Try to find a bank that, at most, will only pass thru the Visa 1% foreign conversion fee. Take a separate credit card as back-up/emergency. Tell both banks that you'll be using the cards in Europe.
Best places to look:
<>Free checking/ 1% fee Check cards - Compass Bank (www.compassweb.com)
(that's what I have).
<>Credit card / 1% for.conv. fee - AAA Visa Platinum (confirm the fee - mine is 1%), Capital One, some credit unions

On another thread regarding WUMU debit cards one of their managers just posted and according to that post STAR symbol is acceptable in Europe. But I think the Mgr was referring to an ATM card which is through Master Card.