What ATM Debit Card to Use in Europe? Not Capital One!

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

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!

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!

Ray, I use Fidelity Cash Management ATM, linked to a small “travel” account. Have not had a problem. ATM fees are reimbursed, no Foreign transaction fees.

If I need a large amount of € or £ for cash only B&Bs, I buy it from my German neighbor or from BAC before leaving home.

In addition to Fidelity, Charles Schwab also offers a no-fee debit/ATM card. I've already moved part of my Capital One funds to Schwab and will be taking care of the rest within the next week. It was easy to complete the transfer online.

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!

Sadly, no BoA partners in Spain or Portugal, but we've also used our BoA in ATMs at a whole bunch of partners in places like France or Australia, so definitely check one's bank - no matter the size or type - to see what their options are internationally.

With cash becoming less and less necessary, it often also makes sense to check the cash/payment apps in use wherever you are going. Worldwide, there are lots of emerging (and now even established) options like Tikkie in the Netherlands or in China they have Alipay & WeChat, India has UPI, Brazil has PIX, or even the emerging EU one for Europe - WERO/Digital Euro.

They don't generally make sense NOW for most US travelers, but the future is coming fast and furious, so being aware of the evolving landscape is a good idea.

We opened a Betterment Bank checking account that will contain only the amount allotted to travel.

They issue a Visa debit card to access that checking account. They will issue a card to your spouse at the same time - no need to return later. It's amazing that they refund ANY and ALL fees the very next day directly to you. So far it's worked out perfectly for us. More details are described in the previous "Woes" thread.

Like acraven I have used my Schwab debit all over Europe, no fees are charged to you. Any fees are refunded by Schwab, it's clean and simple. Before your trip you move a bunch of money into the account, and move it back out when you're home.

I have a visa network debit card that reimburses fees. But I recently got a Wise account to test it out and it worked fine in France, Spain and Morocco. You can put money in different currencies on it and use as a debit card or to take cash at an ATM. You can move money around thru the app. I still have a balance with Euros on it, and will convert them to zloty when I travel to Poland.

But more often than not, I use very little cash on my trips but good to have options. I got Wise as a backup ATM card after an ATM in Europe swallowed my debit card on a weekend and I traveled out of that country on Monday. I had to cancel that card and glad I had US dollars in cash to exchange, which I always bring for emergencies.

In Paris (France), you can use Capital One debit card (Discover network) at La Banque Postale (France Post Office), withdraw Euros cash and no transaction fees.

One more person recommending the Schwab debit card.

And a fourth in favor of Schwab. You do have to open a brokerage account to get the checking account with free ATM privileges, but you don't have to fund it. It's a very simple process.

FWIW, I rarely use ATMs anymore as I try to be cashless as much as possible, but last year I had to use them on several occasions in Romania, and the Schwab card worked very well for that.

And I just realized this thread is over 2 months old. Oh well, maybe someone can use this info in the future.

Right before this thread started, I started a thread highlighting the difficulties of using in Europe a Capital One debit card at ATMs. Mardee, on a recent trip, I did find the occasional need for cash. A few small merchants don't take credit cards. I had two cab drivers in Munich who claimed not to take credit cards. And of course most public restrooms require coins to enter. You don't need much cash. But you need some. And yes, you can always exchange your American cash for the local currency--the exchange rate will be lousy--but again you don't need much.

Is there an option to apply for Revolut? I have had it for years and it is my primary travel card.

1) The first year was free (promo offer), you may still find a promo code somewhere.
2) It holds multiple currencies. Echange is free weekdays.
3) Comes with a chip and PIN (not sure about USA?).
4) Free withdrawal 200 eur a month.
5) Points, lounges, cashback on certain card levels etc if you play that game.

Got the tip about Charles Schwab probably 15 years ago on forum here. Since, have used all over Europe, UK, Asia without no problems…. On rare occasions, some bank ATMs won’t work abroad but a different bank ATM a block or two over would.

We made the switch to a Schwab debit/ATM card after Capital One switched to Discover network. One thing to be aware of is that for Schwab you need to set up a travel alert. We had gotten out of the habit of doing that since neither our Capital One credit card or the ATM card required it.
Well we realized our error when the Schwab card didn’t work in two ATMs at our first stop. Luckily it only took a few minutes to think it through, realize the problem and then enable a travel alert on the app. We were able to make withdrawals after that with zero problems.
I say all this not as a negative on the Schwab card, just a reminder to other travelers who may be in our same situation!