ATM, Cash Withdrawls

You didn't say where you are going--in Western Europe,the first stop I make is to the ATM at the airport I land at and take out the max I can. Incidentally, have an agreement with my credit union that I have a $500 a day limit(about 220 Pounds, 300 Euros, ect. just in case I get nailed by a scam. In Eastern Europe, you can hit the limit in the local currency pretty fast and might have to do a couple of visits. Finally, use the cash for everything I can rather than my cc.

I travel at least twice a year to Europe. I have never had a problem with ATM's. Even my most recent adventure to China caused no problem. Yes notify your bank. In this way, they will not think your card was stolen.

Sorry I did not include. We are traveling to Venice, Florence and Rome.

Easy. We do bring two ATM cards and two different credit cards in case we lose one. I also scan them and send them to my email account, as well as our passports, so we have the account numbers and phone numbers if there are problems.

Ron,

I think the main thing is to have some kind of backup that will get you through a day or two if you should experience a problem with your card. That could be cash, a credit card, a second ATM card with a different bank, etc.

In the last 10 years, I've only had a problem once and it was only for a few hours. I arrived in Verona, tried 3 different ATMs and none worked. It was not an emergency because I had some Euros with me. Later that afternoon, I tried a fourth ATM and the card worked fine. I had no problems for the rest of the trip.

I spent a weekend in Prague once with a friend and her ATM card did not work. She was not able to get through to her credit union to resolve the problem until they opened on Monday. I can't remember what the issue was ... they may have made a mistake. In any case, I had no problem with my card.

ron,

I've never heard that it was necessary to "bring several hundred dollars in US $20 bills". I not sure about the logic of that?

Regarding ATM use, I've never experienced a problem until last year. For some reason, my primary ATM card wouldn't work (although the same card has worked flawlessly on previous trips). It turned out to be some kind of "coding error" between Banks, but it took 10-days to resolve the problem!

Fortunately, I had a "backup" Card and it worked well. After a few days, my Credit Union noticed the pattern of unsuccessful withdrawal attempts and called me (albeit at 02:00). I was able to explain the situation, and they told me to continue using the backup card. If they hadn't been able to reach me they would have "frozen" both cards (it's useful to travel with a Cellphone these days).

I ALWAYS travel with at least one backup ATM card and at least one credit card.

Happy travels!

Ken,
The recommendation is in Rick Steves' Italy 2010 book.

thank you for the suggestions.
when you say a backup card, do you mean a second card from the same bank and account, or a card from an account at a different bank?

I actually do understand the U.S. Dollars. If you were in a major city, you could exchange those at a currency exchange. You would probably get a terrible rate, but they could be an "emergency backup' of sorts. I did exactly such a thing when I lived in London and had my wallet stolen. I had some foreign currency in a drawer in my flat and was able to go to the exchange and get some cash to last me until my replacement cards were delivered.

As far as a backup, an ATM card from a different bank would probably be a better backup than one from the same. Another option would be a credit card with a pin. Again, this would be just for emergencies since you would be charged interest for a cash advance.

ron,

Thanks for the clarification. I'll have to have a look at that section of the Guidebook, as the logic still escapes me. I wonder if it would be equally advantageous to have a few hundred Swiss Francs, UK Pounds or (I hesitate to add) perhaps even Canadian dollars!

I usually have at least €100 / £100 / CH$ 100 on hand when heading to Europe, as it's very convenient for travel expenses until I get settled in my first location. I always have funds left over from previous trips and rather than convert them back to home currency (and pay another fee), I just retain them for the next trip.

Most Banks seem to discourage issuing of more than one card on the same account. However, my "backup card" is not an ATM card per se, but accesses the same account. This is a bit unusual and they don't provide these Cards any longer, however I've been "grandfathered" and I'm going to keep it as long as possible!

I also have a "backup card" from a different financial institution as well as the "cash advance" feature on my credit cards if necessary.

Cheers!

I also take US dollars.Most of the time I dont use them but they are good(not good rates)almost anywhere.I even used them on the Ireland Toll road when I forgot to get cash at the airport.I always take 2 cards from different banks.Ive had it happen where my card didnt work when I arrived and had to call my bank at home.

,,,,Most Banks seem to discourage issuing of more than one card on the same account. ,,,,,

I have seen that comment a number of times but, I THINK, it is more accurate to say they will not issue two cards in the same name. Two of our accounts are joint and we have a card for these accounts in each of our names. Same number but different names. That gives us a back up card for each account should something happen to one of the cards I also carry a third ATM tired to a old business account with little activity. In all of our years of travel we have never had to fall back on any of the backup accounts. I will however hit each of the accounts in the first week just to make sure all are working. Have had very good luck so far.

I take about $150 in euro from here before we depart. That way we have money when we arrive. I have used the ATM's many times without incident. However, I do follow some strategies such as: (1.) I only visit the ATM during banking hours in case there is a problem I can go in and try to retrieve my card. Sometimes I wait until I see someone using it and then I proceed. (2.) I examine the outside of the ATM for any tampering. Pay special attention to the slot where you insert the card. If it has anything protruding do not use it. (3.) I plan ahead for the weekends because I do not use the machine on Saturdays or Sundays. (4.) Always notify the bank of the dates when you will be gone and where. and (5.) If the ATM does not look ok DO NOT USE IT. Europeans have elevated banking scams to the artful level.

ATM cards are extremely easy to use and convenient.

Bion viaggio,

RB

If you take along "several hundred in US $20 bills" where are you supposed to keep all that cash? Carry it around in your money belt with your passport AND credit cards AND ATM cards AND euros?

$200.00 in 3-50s,2-20and 1-10 in my wifes and my money belt really doesnt add much weight or bulk to our moneybelts.

We travelled to Venice, Rome, Florence in Sept 2009 and had no problems with the ATMS. If you do get denied a transaction try again with a smaller amount. Sometimes the ATM has a limit on the amount you can withdraw or the exchange rate may have changed. Snafu's do happen (not to me yet) but we met someone on our travels whose transactions were all transferred on the same day thus putting them over the limit and putting up a RED flag. Have a credit card that you can use for a cash advance as a backup plan. IF you come home and pay the cash advance off immediately you will not be charged interest just the cash advance fee.