Using debit cards with chips in Mexico
Dec 17th, 2016, 12:52 PM
#1
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Using debit cards with chips in Mexico
We always use ATMs to get cash while we travel. I vaguely recall having seen something about ATMs in Mexico not being able to process cards that have a chip. My bank has replaced my old chip-less card with one having a chip and we have a January trip planned to Merida. Does anyone here have any experience or information concerning the use of debit cards with chips in Mexico?
Thanks in advance,
Neph
Thanks in advance,
Neph
Dec 18th, 2016, 08:47 AM
#6
I had trouble last year with a new chipped BoA debit card (Nov 2015). It wouldn't work at any bank ATMs, I tried several, in Puerto Vallarta.
But it was a BoA issue which they seem to have fixed, and it did work in PV Nov 2016.
But it was a BoA issue which they seem to have fixed, and it did work in PV Nov 2016.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 08:50 AM
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Even if you have used your card before, your bank could still block it this time. If that happens, just call them us and remind them that you are in Mexico and to unblock the card. Sometimes even if you put a travel notice in place, the bank's fraud protection algorithms kick in and freeze the card. Just something to be aware of so you dont stress if it happens.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 11:56 AM
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Probably, but pay attention to the fees that are assessed. Many Mexican banks assess an ATM fee for foreign debit card use. Last time I was there in November, Scotiabank was going to charge about the equivalent of US$5 per ATM withdrawal (and I think maybe an exchange rate on top of that, I'm not sure, as I declined the withdrawal). $5 is a lot of money for a withdrawal of US$100 or less, as mine was (I only wanted about 800 pesos or $40). My debit card was Capital One bank, maybe there are some banks it doesn't do that (they are part of the same alliance as B of A), don't know. I've had ATM charges from other Mexican banks also but they weren't that large. These were all major banking names, not private ATMs. Not sure I tried Banamex.
Dec 22nd, 2016, 12:31 PM
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Most of the ATMs that I have used in Mexico charged a 30-40 peso fee, so the equivalent of a couple USD, which isn't bad. I have run into a couple bank ATMs that charged more - one was in Tikulin Yucatan state. I needed cash and that area doesn't have a lot of banks, or at least it didn't then, so I paid the fee. But in larger places, there will usually be another bank with a smaller fee.
