BECU debit cards in Europe

We used our BECU cards without any problems last year in France. A backup card is still a good idea, though!

The decider is what logos are on your card? If it has a Visa or M/C logo, you can use it virtually anywhere. I'd be willing to bet your card has one of those and will be no problem. Sometimes the smaller CU's can be a problem.

The other list of networks that BECU subscribes to will also be on the card. If you don't have a Visa or M/C logo, match one of your logos to ATM machine's list of cards they take. Plus, Cirrus and Star are all big networks, I can't recall which were widely available in Europe because my card has the M/C logo.

Many thannks. The CU uses M/C and the other logos on it are for CU alliances only. Sounds like it will work at a 1% fee. My WAMU backup is now up to 3%...guess todays earnings report explains the rapid rise in rates these last months. Thanks again for the responses.

My small local credit union ATM card has worked in Ireland, Spain, and China with no problems. It is a VISA branded card.

Shouldn't be a problem. I used my King County (Prevail) CU ATM card without problems in London, Paris, and Italy over the last couple of years. Don't forget to call your banks and let them know you'll be charging from a variety of countries - or there MAY be a problem.

Liz, we've used both -- WAMU debit card first trip, BECU second trip (as well as a backup credit card both times).

The first year we used WAMU, then found they charged a per transaction fee in addition to a 1% charge.

We switched to BECU the next year, because they had no per transaction fee, just the 1% charge.

A thousand thanks to all for your responses. I feel significantly more comfortable knowing your experiences. AND, I won't forget to call the banks.

Liz