Will I have any problems with a Bank of America Visa Debit card?

My BofA debit card only has a Visa logo on the front (no Cirrus or Plus symbols on the back), and it worked just fine in Florence in 2006 and in Paris this past September. Just be sure you have a 4-digit PIN and that you know the actual numbers, not just the 4-letter word that you PIN spells out.

If you look at the bottom of the back of your card, you should see the Plus logo plus interbank. If not, I wouldn't worry about it. I've been using B of A cards for years without a problem.

Just remember, a few days before you leave, call Bank of America and tell them you're going to Europe so they don't freeze the card when they see a foreign ATM withdrawal. Tell them the countries and the dates...and take along the bank's phone number (not the 800 number) in case you have a problem and have to call them from Europe.

I've never had to but it's better to be safe than sorry.

When in London, try to use Barclay's Banks for ATM withdrawals. They're an associate bank so there will be no fees. The same is true for BNP Paribas in France. There is no partner bank in Italy.

Just to give yourself some nice warm fuzzies go into your LOCAL bank and express your concerns. The bank is there to help you as a service. Make sure they note in the computer you will be making withdrawals overseas during a SPECIFIC timeframe. Otherwise their fraud alert program may kick in. Have the banks regular phone number (not a 800 number) just in case. Really, as long as you are using a 4 digit pin you should have no problems. Test it out at home before you go (say, get $40).

Both Cirrus and Plus are owned by Visa and MasterCard, thus if you have the visa logo that means you can use those networks. You won't have any problems using your debit card at ATMs to withdraw cash from your checking account. But using you debit card to make purchases at places like supermarkets or gas stations can be problematic.

I have been a BOA card holder for years. You won't have any problems in Europe. I'm going to repeat a couple of items mentioned above.

1. Call BOA 2-3 days prior to your departure and let them know where you are leaving for Europe and the countries you will be visiting. They will note the computer. Ask for the name of their global partner in France and Italy. Barclay's is their partner in the UK and Deutsche Bank is the German partner. If you use their partner banks, no fees except conversion fees will be charged. Also ask for their European number in case you need to contact them. The 800 number will not work in Europe.

2. Make sure you have a 4 digit pin number.

3. Conversion fees (money currency exchange) will be charged on all ATM withdrawals and on purchases using the Visa debit Card.

4. Suggest you and your husband each have a card so in case one becomes demagnetized.

5. Capital One does NOT charge conversion fees and will save you lots of money if you use their Visa card. Check out Capital One's website and call them regarding conversion fees.

6. It is always good to have a back-up Visa/Mastercard for purchases and a back/up debit card in case one is lost or demagnetized.

Have fun!

Lynda, Marie's advice to obtain info at your local bank is well meaning but unfortunately a relic of the past, in my experience anyway. BofA's international banking policies and information are controlled by their central headquarters, wherever that might be. I likewise thought my local BofA branch could help me with all your questions and all they could say is "visit the website." And this is in Seattle, not Omak.

Also, make copies front and back of all your cards and keep them in separate luggage. The back of your debit card has the 1-800 number you'll need if you lose your card. The local branch phone number is useless...they won't be open at 3 a.m. Texas time when you need to make a desperate phone call...

A good place to keep the copies of your atm, credit/debit cards is in your money belt, just in case someone makes off any of your luggage such as your daypack or convertible backpack.
To phone your bank, 800 numbers don't work in Europe, it needs to be a regular number. My bank has a specific phone number for collect calls from out of the US, it's shown on the back of the card.

Just to have peace of mind while traveling, I take five one hundred dollar bills and keep them in an envelope in my money bely for emergency. When I get home I put them back in my savings. I had a credit card swallowed by a bank machine and the extra money worked until I could get a new card sent. Have a great trip.

My wife and I go to Europe every summer for a month and do travel around different countries. We both take two DEBIT cards from two different banks and different from each other. One of my wife's cards is from BofA and she has never had any problems with that card. We once had a card canceled in Europe and only found out upon returning to the US that we had tried to use it in a country that they claimed we did not list with them before our trip. We do not take any US money with us and have never had a need for any. Lucky? Perhaps. Do keep copies of the front and back of your cards in your money belt and do ware one.
Happy travels

Be sure to have the non-toll free number for your credit card. 800 numbers are worthless in Europe.

Hi Lynda,

Just returned home from a 7 week trip to Eastern Europe. Visited Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Bratislava, Krakow, Warsaw, and Berlin, not to mention all the small towns near these cities. I used my Bank of America debit card with the Visa logo, never once had a problem using the ATM machines, or using it as a Visa card. Just make sure you call Bank of America prior of your departure and let them know when you are leaving, where your going , and when you are returning.

Greg

I've used my BofA debit card many times in Europe. The best deal, free of extra charges from BofA, is to use the card at Barclay's in the UK and at BNP Paribas in France. If I am going to be in Italy, I load up with Euros in France and carry the extra cash in my money belt. I feel ok with carrying hundreds of euros that way. In Italy the only bank I've ever found that is on the BofA list for "no fees" is Deutsche Bank. And those are pretty scarce in Italy. I also use the CapitalOne credit card for credit payments, mostly at hotels. Be sure to notify your banks of your travel plans before leaving for your trip. All has been smooth for me, so far, except this past fall someone in Europe tried to use my CapitalOne card number about six weeks after I returned home. CapOne called me to see if this charge was ok. I said "no," so they cancelled the card and sent me a new one.

I would like to thank each of you who took the time and replied to my question. You have eased my mind about being able to use my new card. I also will be going to Capital One and getting a debit card there too! Thanks for the help. As I am such a newbie at European travel, I really, really appreciate any and all help.