MacPrague

Hi all!

A good friend of mine is coming to visit and arrives this Sunday. Apparently, something just happened to her credit card, so the company is trying to issue her a new number, but she fears it will not arrive in time.

She suggested bringing traveller's checks as a back-up to her ATM, but I am looking for other alternatives. I thought I read somewhere on this site about, perhaps, an AmEx debit card or something of that nature?

The goal is to have somthing that she can put money on before she leaves that is not attached to her bank account (since she will be using her ATM as well and this is just for back-up).

Any ideas or leads would be great! Thanks in advance!

--MP

travelgirl2

I was recently at the Automobile Club (AAA) in the US, where I saw a sign for a VISA debit card, as you describe. I think maybe they issued it right there.

Gretchen

Tell her to call IMMEDIATELY and tell them to FedEx her new card overnight. It can happen. It will have to go to her home address.

MacPrague

Travelgirl,

thanks! this is exactly what I am looking for!

I think I'll start another thread to see if anyone has actually used one and if they recommend or not....

thanks, again!
--MP

Keith

Gretchen is right. The bank should get the repacement card to her in pleanty of time. If there is any concern about getting it there on time, they should send it too her at your location.

I once has to have a replacement made right away because I was starting a trip, and they expressed to the hotel. It was waiting when I arrived.

Keith

suze

There are a new-ish thing called "travel cards". Usually they aren't the best option because they have a bit of steep fees and charges, but might work in this instance.

You "preload" money and then it functions as an ATM basically for that set amount of funds. I think most credit card companies, AAA, etc. offers them.

janisj

I personally think the "travel card" is a terrible option. They cost money to open, cost money to use, and even cost money to close out.

Just have her contact her local bank and have them raise her daily limit for ATM withdrawal. A very common and easy operation. Then even if she hits a limit on a specific machine, she can just step to the next machine and get more money.

nytraveler

If the bank can;t get her a new card overnight she needs a new bank. I would call, get a suoervisor, explain the problem and say she expects a new card the next day by FedEx - or she'll move all her accounts.

If they don;t co-operate - just go to a better bank (it sounds like anyone would be) and get a card there - you can get it on the spot just by depositing the money into the savings account attachd to the debit/credit card.

clevelandbrown

I think her best option for a backup would be to go to a credit union, open a free checking account, and get an ATM card for that account and a credit card. I suggest credit unions because they apparently often offer the lowest fees on ATM cards and credit cards. Many banks have higher fees, and it is apparent from reading this forum that it is difficult to get accurate information about the fees the banks charge, unless you are willing to read the documents they give you.

For myself, I use a bank that allows me to transfer funds via the internet, so I move funds from savings to my checking accounts only when I will be needing them.