sarasmom97

I will be staying in Waikiki for a week in March. I was wondering if you can get cash back when using a debit card at ABC Stores? I can't remember if ABC is more like a Walgreens or like a department store. I was trying to avoid paying fees as my bank is not represented in Hawaii.
Thanks.

mark99

They don't offer cash back...but I a am puzzled when you say that your bank isn't represented in Hawaii?

Look on the back of your card....you should have a number of symbols and names such as Cirrus, Pulse, Interac etc. I have never known a bank not to belong to an interchange...that would be truly bizzre.

Nearly all banks in Hawaii should belong to one or more of these, and therefore connected to your debit card.

And if it is not...wow.....do you have paypal? if you do, then get a Paypal ATM card and use your Paypal account like a bank account.Before you leave transfer some funds to your Paypal.

suze

Nope, no cash back at ABC Stores but they do accept debit cards for exact amount payment.

I had the same problem (just a couple weeks ago) and did not find a solution. Sure I could (and did) use a Bank of Hawaii ATM machine, but they charge me $2.50, and my bank charges me for a non-affiliate, AND I could only get $200 pre transaction.

Not a very good deal, and not a problem I have ever had traveling elsewhere (Europe or Mexico).

So if anyone has a better answer, I'd love to hear it.

here_today_gone2Maui

Safeway, Long's Drugs, Foodland, Sak 'n' Save, Star Market. …

They all give cash back with a purchase

suze

Hmmm, good tips but I didn't see (wasn't in) any of those stores in the central area of Waikiki.

RedRock

Why not just carry some cash with you and use a credit card for the rest of the transactions. If the money is in the bank there will be no cost, fees or interest if you pay the credit card bill in full when it comes in.

prewitt25

There is a Foodland in Waikiki, not right in the middle of everything, but easily walkable if it's that important to you. They also have a good selection (big grocery) so you can have some things in your hotel/condo.
I don't know the exact address, but I've been there a million times. You can google the location and then mapquest the area of Waikiki.

auntiemaria

Ala Moana Shopping Center -- backside, downstairs, Foodland.

mauigirl50

I don't like to use my debit card at atm's in Hawaii because it seems as tho the fees are usually about $2.50 per transaction, so I usually go to Bank of Hawaii & use my card to get whatever cash I feel I might need for a couple of days & the best part is , there's no fee. Good luck!

suze

Actually its a Food Pantry in central Waikiki (not Foodland, is that the same store?). You're right though, I should have tried for cash back there.

I *do* carry alot of cash with me, and next time will simply take a bit more. I habitually take $300 from an ATM every few days as needed when traveling, but this didn't work so well in Waikiki (is why I was looking for other tips).

thanks everyone!

suze

Oh, and for sarasmom97- I'd describe ABC stores more like a deluxe 7/11 than a Walgreen or a dept store.

suze

Mauigirl- there was a $2.50 fee at Bank of Hawaii; it was posted on the ATM machine.

sarasmom97

Thanks for the info, everyone. My mom wanted to get travelers checks for the trip, but I convinced her to get a debit card as I thought it would be easier. And I use my debit card for everything. As we are 3 women traveling alone, I didn't want to have a lot of cash on us at any one time. I guess I will just use the ATM to get enough cash for a few days and bite the bullet on the fees.
I will check out that Food Pantry, though...thanks for the tip Suze.

mauigirl50

Suze - I didn't use the ATM - I went inside the bank & used a teller - that way there was no fee.

Andrew

I don't remember using an ATM while I was in Oahu last December. But, as a credit union member, I see (after checking) that there are more than a dozen ATM machines I could have used for free (no fee from either my credit union or from the other one). Credit Unions belong to something called the Co-Op network, meaning you can use other CU machines as if it was your own (no fees).

I really don't understand why people stay with their banks if they have the chance to join a credit union. There is certainly no downside I've found since dumping Bank of America seven years ago. There are as many ATMs available to me (for free) as from any bank, whether I'm home or traveling, and fees are either lower or none for things banks charge for. I highly suggest everyone consider joining a credit union if you can; today's banks are making more and more of their revenue off of fees, which means they are just going to keep raising them. No thanks.

suze

mauigirl- So the teller at the Bank of Hawaii did a debit transaction and did not charge any fee?

The branch I was in there was a sign saying "no teller" but I'm still interested in your information. Mahalo in advance.

Dan

I am a big credit union fan, too, Andrew! I make more interest on deposits and never pay fees. I keep a Chase bank account for "fun money" in case I'm near a Chase machine when traveling, but my credit union ATM works everywhere.

suze

I'm still curious about how to get cash out, no fee, from Bank of Hawaii, when my home bank is Bank of America (without changing banks, but thanks for the credit union suggestion guys).

By going to a teller, I would assume that makes it a "cash advance" on a credit card, rather than a normal debit transaction?

mauigirl50

Suze - I live in MN, so don't bank at BOH, but the branch of BOH I've used most is in Lahaina, Maui. I have a Visa check card & the teller did do a cash transaction for me without a fee many times. I've also done this in the Waikiki area. Hope this info helps you!
Dianne