Dollars to Euros: what's the best way to exchange?
Jun 29th, 2005, 07:00 PM
#21
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tegdale, could you expand on your advice to have a four-digit PIN?
I've used my ATM card, which has a five-digit PIN, in France, Italy, and Spain without any problems. Are there some banks where I might not be able to use it? Obviously, I could change the PIN before leaving, if there's any chance of problems (as long as I don't forget what I change it to).
Thanks.
- Larry
I've used my ATM card, which has a five-digit PIN, in France, Italy, and Spain without any problems. Are there some banks where I might not be able to use it? Obviously, I could change the PIN before leaving, if there's any chance of problems (as long as I don't forget what I change it to).
Thanks.
- Larry
Jun 29th, 2005, 07:33 PM
#24
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Yes, cybertraveler, a European cell phone (an unlocked GSM phone with a local SIM card) can receive calls from the US. In fact, you can receive them for free (at your end - the caller pays for the airtime). Do a Fodors search on some of the words I used above to find all sorts of information about phones.
On the US end, you can sign up for something like the GlobalPhone card (http://www.gphone.com/), and get really cheap rates to Europe, so your kids can call even when there's <i>not</i> an emergency.
- Larry
On the US end, you can sign up for something like the GlobalPhone card (http://www.gphone.com/), and get really cheap rates to Europe, so your kids can call even when there's <i>not</i> an emergency.
- Larry
Jun 29th, 2005, 07:38 PM
#25
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We always take 2 different ATM cards just in case the machine malfunctions and eats the card. Also, be sure to check with your bank to see what the limit is on each withdrawal and the collective daily withdrawal.
Jun 29th, 2005, 07:42 PM
#26
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Wells Fargo charged us $1.50 everytime we used the ATM to withdraw cash. So we usually got the largest amount we were comfortable carrying around at one time ($100 - $200 worth of euros). When we arrived home and I saw the $1.50 charges on my statement, I called Wells Fargo and asked them politely if they would reverse the $1.50 charges. At first the "teller" responded with well, didn't you know you would be charged. Well, yes I did but I thought since we have been such a long term, excellent customer of Wells Fargo you might like to reverse them (smile, smile). She had me hold for a minute and then came back and told me the charges had been reversed. Never hurts to ask.
Jun 29th, 2005, 07:42 PM
#27
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Another suggestion: Be sure you know your PIN in numerals. Most European ATMs do not have letters on them so if you use a word instead of a number, you are in trouble. You can figure out the numbers before you go by looking at your telephone dial.
Four or five digit PINs will work most places. There are so many ATMs you are covered.
Four or five digit PINs will work most places. There are so many ATMs you are covered.
Jun 29th, 2005, 08:19 PM
#28
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<<Thanks, ira, for the ttt translation.>>
Well, on behalf of ira, I'll say you're welcome, since I explained it.
I'm sure that ira would have done just as good a job - - perhaps with half the number of words...
Well, on behalf of ira, I'll say you're welcome, since I explained it.
I'm sure that ira would have done just as good a job - - perhaps with half the number of words...
Jun 30th, 2005, 04:25 AM
#29
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SalB's suggestion is good. Even if a keyboard does have letters on it, they may be in different positions!
The letters on a telephone keypad are on the 2 through 9 keys, three each, for only 24 spaces for 26 letters. The US keypads omit Q and Z. But the French keypads, if I'm remembering right, omit O and I (because they might be confused with zero and one). Thus, starting with the 6 key, some of the letters are on different keys.
The moral of the story is exactly what SalB said: Ignore the letters, and learn your PIN as a number.
- Larry
The letters on a telephone keypad are on the 2 through 9 keys, three each, for only 24 spaces for 26 letters. The US keypads omit Q and Z. But the French keypads, if I'm remembering right, omit O and I (because they might be confused with zero and one). Thus, starting with the 6 key, some of the letters are on different keys.
The moral of the story is exactly what SalB said: Ignore the letters, and learn your PIN as a number.
- Larry
