Disappearing Airport ATM's

This article is hitting at the wrong target. ATM specialist operators vs ones operated by the local 'big banks' is not the problem. It is any ATM that draws the unsuspecting into dynamic currency conversion by obfuscating how to decline it.

Since I have always advocated taking a hundred or so of local currency when arriving even having to pay a US side premium, it is not a major concern. Last year in the Amsterdam airport I did use an ING money point just next to the TI (there is another name for TI in Amsterdam). Doesn't surprise me as everyone scrambles for an extra dollar.

It's hard to say since few travelers are aware of what the major European banks are versus exchange operators. We've known for awhile that Travelex has been exclusive at Heathrow, but it sounds like similar operators are now exclusive at most other major airports. And as the article points out, it only means that you'll pay their awful exchange rate (which won't be obvious), not that you won't be able to get cash.

In reality, most people will pay an awful exchange rate getting cash ahead from their own bank, so it probably doesn't make much difference. And many like to do that to avoid hassles or for peace of mind. But the main message should be to limit how much one withdraws from airport ATMs to just a day of spending cash.

I had trouble locating a bank-related ATM machine in a terminal at CDG last year. In checking minutes ago, my local source of euro currency charges what with the conversion rate and a shipping/handling fee, a total of about 12.7% (required minimum of $200). This is beyond the rates mentioned in the article of 10-11%. A maddening situation where customer service is not a consideration of management at too many airports. As in the past, I keep a stash of euro from my last trip to get me started on my next trip.

It is perfectly possible to get money from the Heathrow ATMs without paying the Travelex charges. It seems this reporter didn't get beyond the screen where you are offered the Travelex rate.

This report includes a screen shot of the Travelex ATM:
http://loyaltylobby.com/2012/02/08/withdrawing-money-from-the-atms-at-the-london-heathrow-airport-dont-fall-on-the-travelex-currency-conversion-scam/

If you select the without coversion option, then your card would be charged in GBP.

Around the UK there are now more non bank ATMs than bank ones. Many of these no longer charge service fees. Conversely some bank machines operate DCC.

Airport operators charge hefty concession fees to merchants inside the terminal. That's why a glass of beer or a coffee at the airport costs at least twice as much as outside. Banks at the airport are vendors like bars or other concessions, so no surprise at the attempt to charge consumers more. Just save enough foreign currency for the next trip (if you travel often) or get a bit of foreign cash before traveling overseas.

A real bank ATM at the airport doesn't charge any higher fees than an ATM located in the city. That is a common myth.

This is one of the main reasons I always travel with about € / £ 100 cash. I prefer to get out of airports as quickly as possible, and don't even want to stop long enough to use an ATM.

As I posted recently, the other big scam that seems to be increasing these days is dynamic currency conversion. There was also a link in the above story about a new practice of restaurants to hand diners a tablet with the menu on it, and base their prices on time-of-day. Commercial firms, airlines, hotels and restaurants seem to be finding new and innovative ways to gouge consumers & travellers these days!

I also avoid the so-called "white label" ATM's at home, and always use those associated with a major financial institution.

I also have local currency on hand when I arrive in a country. Like Ken, I don't want to bother with finding an ATM in the airport. Now that I keep my leftover currency at the end of a trip, on my next trip I have enough to get by on for the first day or two.

Is DCC at ATMs relatively new? I don't remember seeing it as an option 2 years ago when I was in Paris and London.

"Get back to dollars at the end of your trip."
Rick Steves

Absolutely wrong, Rick! As you say, "Assume you will return." Keep those euro, for which you paid only 4%, max, so you won't have to buy euro for 12% at the airport when you arrive the next time.

Note, Wells Fargo sells euro for only 5% over the Interbank rate (only a little worse that you will pay with an ATM card from a major US bank), but they charge $15 for shipping for orders under $1000, so shipping adds a lot for small orders. If you live near a main branch of Wells Fargo you can go there and avoid the shipping charges.

DCC at ATMs has been around for about 6 years. It can encountered in the USA for non USD account holders.

The idea that ATMs fall into 2 simple divisions ie bank good, indy bad is too simplistic and out of date, in the UK at least. It may still be a valid point elsewhere.

"bank good, indy bad"

In 15 years traveling in Germany (as recently as Oct 2013), I have never encountered an ATM that charged me anything (but then I always use bank ATMs). That's GOOD. Any charge (4% max) has always been from my home bank. If any "Indy" ATM machine charges 10%, that's BAD. Seems simple to me.

But they don't necessarily, only if you take DCC, and that could equally well be a bank's machine in some countries at least. The article referred to is just plan wrong, or at best not the full story for the reasons I have already given.

There are thousands of indy machines in Germany. I used one recently without any set fee and at my issuer's rate.

I find the situation far worse in the USA, where nearly every ATM charges a user fee which you can't escape from, plus you have to make sure you avoid DCC.

For those Americans scratching their heads (like I was for a post or two), "indy" refers to independently owned ATMs, NOT a car race.

Does anyone know this? If you use a Travelex ATM at Heathrow and pay a 10%+ discount on the Interbank rate, does your home bank still charge you another 1%-3% for a foreign transaction?

-and-

Yes, US banks charge a small fee for non-customers using their ATM. After all, you are putting some wear on their very expensive equipment, but why does my home US bank charge me for using an out-of-system ATM. They ought to give me some money for not wearing out their equipment.

After being ripped off royally by a Travelex ATM on my first trip to Europe, I now only use bank ATMs. Even at airports, its not hard to find one charging either no fee at all, or a reasonable one. My home bank only charges 1.8% for the conversion, and even refunds any fees charged to me by other ATMs. , I always travel with a few euros on me (my bank charges a bit more for those, though) in case I cant find a suitable ATM at the airport, which hasn't happened yet. The city I visit most is Prague, and Czech Republic doesn't use the Euro, but I know of several ATMs around town that I use to get cash with no fees.

wow, I just noticed that there are a few franks on this forum :)

My US bank refunds any ATM fees. However they do request that we use no-fee ATMs and they publish a list of no-fee ATMs in the US on their website. I have never had a problem finding them. For instance, the ATMs in CVS pharmacies are quite often free. The two ATMs closest to my home are free.

Just having spent 30 days in Italy, we had no problems finding free Bank ATMs including in the Malpensa (Milan) Airport.

In going to Europe for a month for the last 12 of 13 years, I have never had a problem finding an ATM at my arrival airport that is networked to my Debit Card tied to a Checking Account at a local Credit Union which costs me a total of 1% fee. While touring in Europe, I always try to use a bank ATM at a branch that is open so that if anything goes bad, I can go into the bank and see what has happened. I have never had to do that though.
In the years that I have been going to Europe, I have seen a flood of ATMs cropping up all over the place, even in small out of the way towns.