HELP....how to pay for travel while in Europe

My mom didn't get her ATM card in time for our trip to Switzerland earlier this year so she took a Key Bank Key Possibilities card. She is a Key Bank customer so I don't know how it would work if you are not; maybe you would have to bring the cash or a cashier's check in to get the cards? I think they come in a maximum of $2500 so you might need to get two or three. As I recall she got to choose her own PIN right on the spot and the bank representative took her outside to the ATM to "practice". (Mom does not usually use ATM cards.) Anyway, it has a load fee of $4 or $5, but there are no per-transaction fees and she got basically the same exchange rate I was getting with my credit union ATM card. When she got back she was able to get the card's balance re-deposited into her checking account without any fees or hassle. Again, not sure how that would work for a non-customer. Generally prepaid cash cards get a bit of a bad rap here but other than the load fee, which is not really that much, my personal experience with the Key Possiblities card is that it is just as good as an ATM card. Definitely even with the load fee I think you would do better than taking travelers checks to Europe.

I feel your anxiety. Money is always my biggest worry when traveling. 1) I would talk to someone else at your credit union and see if you can get a different answer. It seems strange to me that a CU debit card can't be used abroad. 2) You can carry a lot of cash safely in a money belt. Not my first choice, but probably better than travelers checks. 3) You may be able to choose your own PIN by phone with your credit card company. Try that. 4) Be prepared to charge a lot of stuff so you won't need all that cash. Be sure to call your credit card companies now to tell them your travel plans.

Admittedly my info is 2 years old...............Do you have a Capital One bank near you? I went in with $2000 cash, and walked out with a debit card within an hour. I had to set up an account (which I have never used), but I had the card in hand that day. WHen my daughter had a similar rush, she went to a Capital One branch with cash, and they opened an account for her. Her city did not have the capability to produce the card on site, but they overnighted it to her.

Do you already have reservations for all you accommodations? If so you can find out how many take credit cards. That would cut down your cash requirements somewhat. If you do not already have reservations, then you might find yourself going over your budget looking for places that will take your credit card. That's particularly true in Germany, where only the more expensive places take credit cards (Hint: in Germany, look for two or more star hotels). According to DEHOGA, the organization that awards hotel stars in Germany, any place with two or more stars must accept credit cards.) In Germany, according to their website, their ticket automats still accept credit cards, even American strip cards. In most countries, I've heard, the rail companies accept credit cards at the counter. As for food, some hotels have restaurants and might let you put the restaurant bill on the hotel bill.

I think who the heck ever you talked to at the credit union is a dolt and doesn't know what's going on.

Before we rip on the credit union it is possible that her credit union is not allowing usage in Europe. There has been a couple of postings recently indicating that their credit union was restricting where the debit could be used in Europe. This is a shifting sands area with the recent changes in rules pertaining to debit card usage. At this stage a prepaid debit card may be your only option. They have received bad reviews in the past because of fees and especially hidden fees so competition could be changing the fee structure. A while back when I looked at some prepaid cards, the Wal-Mart debit card was the best deal. Get two cards in case something happen to one of them. Just ask for clarity on the fees charged. As a word of cautions to other posters, you should never wait to the last minute to check on the money. Outside of airline tickets, and the passport expiration date, money is the third most important issue. Deal with it early..

This might be a stupid question, but does your debit card have a Visa or MasterCard logo on it? Any magnetic strip card issued by Visa or MasterCard should work abroad. It is plausible that whomever you talked to at your CU doesn't know what they are talking about :) Edit: however, it is possible Frank's post above is correct as well. I would give your CU another call, just to double-check that your card will in fact not work in Europe and then look into prepaid cards.

Thanks for the advice. We might try and see what capital one says. When my husband came home and told me this I was shocked....what debit card doesn't work overseas? We never even thought that would be an issue. But here were are only days before we leave with the issue. DAMN! I am fairly certain that there is one individual at the credit union that handles this so I think he got the right answer. Blah!!!! I might try the prepaid route. That would make me feel safer!

If there is a AAA near you, you can get your Euros at a AAA. The exchange rate is not great, but not horrible either in this emergency situation. If you are a member, there is no fee for any purchase of over $1,000. My AAA needed about 48 hours to get Euros for me last year (I ordered on a Friday). I know you hate the idea of carrying cash, but if divided between the two of you it is not so bad. I had to carry lots of cash (new crisp $1 bills) along with my other trip funds to Africa. Traveling alone, I wore two money belts. I encountered an issue last year and decided to bring my money with me - just one belt because I did not need too many small denominations - mostly 50s and 20s - a few 100s for the hotels. I just learned last week that BOA will not issue me a spare ATM card (I've always brought 2) and I'm leaving in 36 hours. But they tell me if there is any problem, they can have a new card to me anywhere in Europe in 24 - 48 hours and gave me an international # to call. While I kinda hate to point business that way - perhaps a major bank could see about mailing it to you in Europe? You could make do with less cash that way. Do you have your first hotel set up?

When Kari mentioned the Key Possibilities prepaid card a month or so ago, I was skeptical because I have looked into so many such cards for years and always found them to have high exchange rate discounts or fees. First I went to the local Key Bank to ask them. They teller and boss knew absolutely nothing about foreign transaction. But they gave me a number to call, and I eventually ended up talking to someone at the main branch in Denver. I'm now convinced that the rate is as good as my best bank ATM card. I don't know this from experience, just what they told me. I plan to get one to test for my next trip to Europe. BTW, there is a branch in Hilliard.

Basically, I agree with Ed. If your debit card has a Visa or Mastercard logo, and it works at ATM's here, I can't imagine it not working at ATM's in Europe - unless your home credit union puts some kind of block on it. Which there's absolutely no reason for them to do. I would talk to someone higher up at your credit union. By the way, Visa should give you your credit card PIN over the phone - after running you through the usual security questions. I say this because I got my Visa credit card PIN over the phone when I needed it last year.

Hi Lisa, First of all, I hope you can figure this out. I'm wondering if you can withdraw some cas, opening a new account, and take it to a different local bank and then ask about sending a RUSH debit card to your house? A few years ago, I had to have a new debit card rushed to my house just before I left for Scotland (I had forgotten the PIN number) and I checked with the teller and they were able to do it for me (one caveat though, I didn't have to change banks). It's worth a look into.
Hope it works out for you. :)

I agree with others who are skeptical about the info you received. You still have a few days, which may be enough. First thing I'd do is immediately go back to your credit union and ask again, firmly, ask to talk to someone who knows their stuff. Wouldn't be surprised if you were given bad info. If it turns out the info really was correct, then start shopping immediately for another credit union or bank in your town or nearest bigger city. Call them. Tell them what you need: if you come in right away to open an account, can you get a usable ATM card by the close of business Friday? Don't give up. There ought be to be some CU/bank that can do that. Stay on it until you get a yes. Then try out your new ATM card by going out for a well-deserved drink, and toast to your upcoming trip. Good luck.

Thanks again everyone. We talked to the manager at our credit union today. And in fact, they do have debit card usage in Europe blocked. I guess they ran into problems with it in the pass and customers getting cards/money stolen. So I guess that makes sense. Essentially, they don't want the liability. We will receive our pin number for our credit card in the mail after we leave. We are going to have to call home to get it. Don't worry, I have a phone that will work to call home, I already checked on that. One plus is that the CU won't charge us a foreign transaction fee since they don't offer debit card services. In the mean time I am going to call a few different banks to see if they can do anything for me. I will keep you posted. Get me out of this country!!!!

....I called some banks today and I was able to set up a checking account at Huntington Bank. They are going to rush order our debit cards (they MIGHT get here by Saturday). But, they issued me an ATM card right on the spot.....so I am able to withdrawl cash at ATM's in Europe if I don't get my debit card in time! Woooohoooo....crisis averted!!!!!! Thanks for all of your help!

Hi Lisa. You mentioned getting a PIN for your credit card - don't use your credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM unless it's an emergency. Your credit card company treats this as a cash advance and the interest fees are sky-high. It's good to have as a last-resort kind of thing but NEVER use it if you don't have to!

I would call an online bank or visit another larger credit union within your area. My credit union prints Visa/Debit cards on site. I'm sure they would be willing to except your $6000 and give you a card on the spot. And your current bank might be moved to assist you.

I went to India and Paris this summer and had read a lot of books that warned me that my credit card might not work if it didn't have the special "chip" and that if it had the "chip," my card number could get stolen. I have a VISA debit/credit card that comes out of the checking account. I checked with my bank before I left and they said mine did NOT have the chip security all taken care of. I held my breath and took off for far places hoping my card would work. It worked in India and Paris just fine. There was NO place I tried to get cash from an ATM or make a purchase that it didn't work.

The OP left on her trip on Sept. 4. Whatever they decided to do, they have already done it.

We'd love to hear what happened!!

We just returned from 5 mths in Europe Asia and Africa.
Here's some tips. If you are skeptical you can check our blog, http://vstromadventures.blogspot.com You haven't said where you'll be so I won't assume just euro Zone. Most western countries like Germany France and Netherlands work well on VISA, paying for hotels, and most meals. Most service stations do as well, but check before filling in small villages which are the exception. Greece is a pure cash country right now with few exceptions in the larger centres. No one can have 60 days of working capital to survive while VISA pays them. Fact of life there. Bulgaria, cash, Romania, cash, Ukraine cash, Poland mixed cash and VISA. CZ, cash mostly. Austria mixed. If you have the cash, you can load your VISA card with a positive balance then withdraw from it as a draw, or, make a cash withdrawal and internet bank and top up the VISA balance same day to avoid interest charges. Alternatively, get your credit union to agree since it can't produce the right card in time, to waive interest charges on the VISA bank balance and pay it off ASAP when you return.