We have a Capital One debit card which we have used at ATMs in Europe very easily in the past. Unfortunately, Capital One is now connected with the Discover Network. I just talked to our Capital One Bank and they said that there are very few, if any, ATMs in Europe that would work with our Capital One Card! They said there is no work-around for staying with Capital One for ATMs in Europe! So, does anyone know of another banking company with no foreign transaction fees that has a debit card which works in Europe? I like Capital One as a bank and have it all set up for our banking needs. But, we may have to open another account at a different bank so we can access ATMs in Europe. Thanks so much for any help!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
7198 posts
Yours is the second thread on this subject today
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/capital-one-debit-card-woes
In that thread is a link to another earlier thread
Posted by
Tampa, FL
738 posts
Here’s a link to the info on Capital One’s page about using their debit card abroad. https://www.capitalone.com/help-center/checking-savings/traveling-with-debit-card/
It has a way to search for ATMs for either the Master Card or Discover networks. I have their new Discover debit card and searched for ATM locations in Rome, Italy. Quite a lot of options came up. I’ll be testing this card in Italy for the first time this September.
I’m not sure why a Capital One rep told you that. Perhaps call again and see what someone else says? Try searching the cities you’ll be in and see what shows up. Of course, you should always have a backup card from another bank just in case. Good luck!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3104 posts
Ray,
We have always used our BofA debit card fee-free in Europe, South America, Canada and Mexico, even Egypt. However, before a trip I obtained the names of the major banks that have a reciprocal agreement with BofA in a particular country (e.g. Scotia bank in Chile). BofA is a large enough bank that we have always easily found ATMs under those agreements (they are large banks also, with many branches). I do have a family member with an account at a smallish credit union who was unable to use their debit card anywhere in Spain or Portugal, so size probably matters. Best of luck!