BoulderCO

What are alternative ways to get cash in an emergency situation while traveling in Europe? Suppose your debit card and credit cards were lost what other options are available to get cash? Is is possible to cash a personal check at a bank? Any other good ways to get cash in this situation? Just trying to be prepared for the worst.

Alexis823

Your family or friends could wire it to you via Western Union or maybe even uour bank will wire money to you from your own account.

Michael

I've never had the worst happen, but you probably can minimize any problems by keeping either a copy of your ATM card and/or a credit card hidden in your luggage. Or do you expect to lose both your luggage and your wallet? If you are traveling with someone else, have that person also carry an ATM card.

elberko

Don't put all your cards in one place, and put most of them in a hidden pocket under your clothes, then you won't have to worry about losing them.

Some people carry a few travelers checks for emergencies, but we do the above and don't worry.

Dori

Get an American Express card and bring your checkbook (keep separate from other atm/credit cards.) You can cash a personal check at an American Express office if you are a cardmember.

Christina

I would panhandle on the metro or sing or something, I suppose. If I were totally penniless, I'd call someone up and have them wire me something, I guess.

However, if you lost all your credit and ATM cards, you obviously would lose the hypothetical checkbook also, wouldn't you? If not, keep an extra CC card wherever that checkbook is being safe.

I do always carry some travelers checks myself, and don't carry them on me.

HowardR

Responding to Christina's comment about losing your checkbook with other items: Since you are taking your checkbook solely as a "just in case," the chances are that you would not be carrying it with you, but rather it would be in the hotel safe.

Patty

Agree with the Amex recommendation. I think the limit varies with the card type but for mine, I can 'cash' a personal check up to $10,000 every 30 days at an Amex office. The first $500 will be in actual cash with the balance given to you in Amex traveler's checks. Also if you belong to certain hotel frequent guest programs, they will allow personal check cashing if you're staying as a guest. The limit is much lower though. I think Hyatt allows $250-$500 per stay depending on your tier level. Of course, you'll need to have checked-in with a valid credit card already.

Elena

Ways of getting cash other than ATM and travelers checks?

Rob a bank??

kismetchimera

Just take some dollars with you for such emergency, and stash it away someplace..it will come handy in such situations, and of course there is always Western Union..

ira

Hi Boulder,

I bring a few hundred in USdollar TC's for emergencies. If I don't use them, I can deposit them in my bnk account upon return without incurring charges.

jenviolin

Getting a friend or relative to wire you with Western Union is really the best emergency backup (singing in the metro is for when all your friends and relatives are unavailable!). It really works. The cash is there 15 minutes later. Just keep at least one of your solvent options in a different location than the others and you'll be fine.

I always have a worst-case plan ready too!