Sorry, I cannot find any recent conversations about this so here goes.. Has anyone recently used their BECU DEBIT (not ATM) cards in Paris and Italy? Our plan is to MAYBE bring ~ $100+ Euros on the trip (just to have some cash incase there are ATM access problems at CDG) and over the course of our trip, make a couple stops to ATMS to withdraw cash. The idea is to mostly use Euros for purchases. I appreciate hearing your experiences, tips and pros/cons. Also, (I have a meeting w/BECU in the morning but..) what do the ATM withdrawal limits tend to be (daily?) ? Merci and Grazie!!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA, United States
427 posts
I have used my BECU debit card in Europe on all five of my trips, including in Italy and France. I called them to notify them about my trip, and then confirmed the details a few days before I left. I've never had a problem with my BECU card, but I also travel with a credit card, which I rarely used. Sorry, I can't recall the daily withdrawal limit but I'm sure BECU can tell you. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Tucson
4153 posts
I use both my BECU credit and debit/ATM cards in Europe and have been doing that since 2009. They have worked fine everywhere including France and Italy.
Per the Travel Tips -- Money section (be sure to read that) on this RS website, I never use the debit/ATM card to buy anything. I only use it to get cash and try to do that only in the lobbies of banks that are open. I rarely use the credit card because I rarely buy anything.
In either case, you need to just say "no" to DCC (dynamic currency conversion) and keep the money in €. There are no fees for CC or ATM transactions and BECU charges 1% or less for exchanging the currency.
The withdrawal limit may vary based on your account. I do know that BECU is much more realistic (i.e. higher) than my other credit union.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
I have used my BECU debit card on two trips to Paris, most recently in May 2015, with absolutely no problems. I usually withdrew 300€ at a time, with smaller amounts as I got closer to going home. As already noted, be sure to let them know you will be out of the country and use ATMs at banks, preferably inside lobbies or where there is little tourist traffic. French banks do not surcharge ATM use.
Posted by
OP
Seattle
83 posts
Thank you so much for the reassurance and great advice.