Debit Cards vs. Credit Cards vs. Cash
 

I will be in Europe (Italy, Spain and France) for the holiday. Has anyone had any problems using their credit card/debit cards in Europe?

ATM cards are accepted pretty much everywhere. Use that to get cash (costs are low, exchange rate good). I would get only a minimum of euro at home, just enough to get me to my first hotel. The costs of getting euro at home or at an exchange bureau will not be as good as you will get from an ATM. But, for peace of mind, get a 100 at most before going.

I also have multiple ATM cards. If ever I run into a bank that does not take mine (Cirrus, Plus), I either use another card, or go to another machine. This is not a common occurrence.

Remember, he is talking about debit cards and not the old style ATM card.

We always use our ATM card linked to our checking account at home. We actually have 2 checking accounts (both with enough $$ to cover our expenses) with seperate ATM cards just in case. Haven't had any problems. We don't even bring cash (Euros) with us anymore. It's hard to get out of an airport without seeing a bank's ATM machine it seems.

We also bring a CC each as back up. Never used them though.

Tell your bank that you are going. Tell them when and where.
My last two trips to Europe, my account had not been correctly cleared by the cutomer service rep. The bank's fraud block would not let me have any Euros.

The most recent time, I had the business card of the customer service rep with me (in my wallet) which made getting things worked out easier.

On my last trip to Italy in 2007 I carried with me

$200 USD cash
100 Euro, left over from a previous trip
1 credit card
2 Bank / credit union debit cards w/ Visa logo.

I used the debit cards to get cash from Bancomats (ATM) & used the cash to pay for everyday expenses.
I used the credit card to pay for large purchases, supermarkets, most restaurants, etc.

Over a 1mo period the cost of using a credit card came out nearly identical to the cost of getting cash from an ATM using one of my bank debit cards.

I returned home with
$200 USD cash - the same bills I left home with
100 Euro, left over for the next trip
1 credit card
2 Bank / credit union debit cards w/ Visa logo.

my last trip to france 3 years ago I took US$30, and two ATM cards. Used one card, not the other; came home with US$30.
Also had a credit card, but in some smaller towns some places wouldn't take it.

You might find this thread beneficial.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...aris-hotel.cfm

I used my debit card throughout Europe. After about a month my bank blocked me. Fortunately I was in London and my bank had a branch there, where I was to get it unblocked. I had called the bank and said that I would be in Europe.

While VISA wants to know when we are travelling, our (Canadian) bank says not to bother letting them know for ATM use outside the country. I guess they figure if someone has the card and knows the PIN, the chance of fraud is minimal.

cold- this is a year old thread resurrected by a spammer ;).

I have had issues with a limit on withdrawals from my debit card, which was annoying because at the time my bank card charged $5 plus 3% commission for each withdrawal.

I have since switched to Charles Schwab checking, with no fees for foreign withdrawals (I cannot remember if there is a conversion fee but there is definitely no withdrawal fee). If you call your credit card in advance, you will have no issues. Like many people, I have a Capitalone Visa with no conversion fees.

Hetismij - yes but I was dying to tell everyone my ATM story.

:)