ATMs in the US
 

Hello fellow Fodorites,

I was wondering if US ATMs have options the same as here in Australia. I want to withdraw money from my cheque account as well as my savings account while I'm away - will I get both options on the machines over there? Also, my PIN is 4 digits - is this the norm in the States? Thanks in anticipation.

yes, you can withdraw from a savings or checking account- whatever your card is linked to will work. And all I know of are four digit PINs.

I'm not so sure. Here in the US, when I use my card, I can take cash out of ANY account linked to the card. But when I went to Europe, I could only get cash out of my primary account which is checking. My bank told me this in advance. I suggest that you check with your bank in Australia. As a result, I opened an account at another bank before I traveled so that I would have a second option in case I lost my card, the machine ate it, etc.

Thanks Icuy and Centralparkgirl. I will check with my bank before I go, to be on the safe side.

ditto what Centralparkgirl said, during my trips to Europe. I usually have to make sure that I move money from savings to checking before traveling over there, so that it's available via European ATMs.

Following up, I think it may have to do with the bank you use to make the withdrawl. I bank at Wachovia, and as long as I use a Wachovia ATM I can get money from either savings or checking. I'm not so sure that's the case at ATMs from other banks.

It's a good idea to let your bank know you'll be using overseas ATMs in any case.

Also, money comes out of our ATMs in multiples of $20.