ATMs in Santorini

Posted by Madame N (Cary, NC) on 06/15/19 08:27 PM

My husband and I made a frustrating round of the ATMs in Santorini. Santorini is our first stop of a three week trip in Greece. We went into Thira after breakfast to try and get some cash to pay our hotel bill,
We use a global cash card which is recommended by our credit union as safer than the regular bank debit card. We hav traveled to several countries and used it without trouble.
This morning, the ATM in front of the bank wouldn’t take it. We were then forced to use other ATMs. Some would take neither my card or my husband’s. None would let us withdraw 600 euros. We could only take a smaller amount but it allowed the charge once.
Any similar experience?

Stacy Nordquist

Posted by Paul

Eastern Iowa, USA

06/15/19 08:57 PM

8050 posts

I guess a couple of comments....

It would not be unusual for an ATM to limit withdrawals to a couple hundred euro.
I am not familiar with the terms and conditions of your Global Cash Card, but I suspect that it has some limits as well on what can be withdrawn both per transaction and per day. You can also bet that there are fees associated with using an "out of network" ATM, Currency Conversion, and who knows what else.
Your Credit Union telling you that this method of cash is "safer" is partly true. They realize a cut by getting you the card and loading it with cash. If there are problems, they have no risk. So it is great for them. A regular Credit Union ATM card though comes with little risk to you, but potentially risk to them, so basically they are selling you what is best for them, not for you.

If you brought your regular ATM card use that. Worst case, if you have a Credit Card with a PIN for cash advance, consider that, it probably costs no more than your Global Cash Card. If you do not have a list of limitations and fees with you, you may want to contact your Credit Union or GCC and see what they say.

Posted by Mark

Houston

06/15/19 10:59 PM

3522 posts

Yes, I am not surprised you could not get 600 in one withdrawal. That would be high in nearly every European country. Many ATMs in Greece were set to limit withdrawals to around 200 per card per day during the economic crisis a few years ago and this one may not have been set back to a higher amount. Or maybe that is all the owner wants anyone getting per day to limit the number of times the machine has to be serviced and refilled.

I am not familiar with Global Cash Card other than what I just saw on the internet for something called that through a quick search -- no one apparently likes that card. It is usually used as an electronic payroll card and people are advised to remove all of their pay as quickly in as few transactions as possible due to the outrageous fees. Don't know if your cards are the same type.

Posted by Madame N OP

Cary, NC

06/15/19 11:18 PM

23 posts

Thank you for your detailed replies. I have used this card for several years without any problems in Argentina, France and last year in Turkey. So it was surprising to have it rejected but then to have accepted at some machines and then not at others and to have one machine categorize the transaction as a checking account and another as a loan.
Also why would an ATM list an amount such as 600 euros a possible transaction amount and then not allow that amount? Again, not a problem in any of the other countries.