Using debit cards to withdraw cash in Italy???

The STAR logo is owned by Mastercard. The PLUS logo is owned by Visa. Both will work in Italian ATMs. They accpet those two plus more. My WaMu ATM card works just fine. So does my BofA ATM card. Just be sure that your PIN number does not exceed 4 digits and that you have no letters in the PIN as you won't see the letters on the Italian ATM machines.

Gregg - also be sure to call each bank and let them know you will be using their card in Italy. I always call twice because I've had an occasion in the past when the bank did not set it up for foreign transactions after my first request. You might also want to ask what the charge will be in case one bank charges less than the other. Have a great trip!

Larry, I think you are in error. Star network is owned by First Data and only functions in the US and Canada. Cirrus is owned by Mastercard. To work well in Europe you need either Plus or Cirrus. Unless something has changed recently I believe I am correct about STAR.

Gregg,
Cards with MasterCard logo will work. See http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/atmlocations/index.html

Most bankomats work with both MasterCard and Visa. I don't bother checkingfor logos.

Frank, my error. You are correct. Cirrus is Mastercard and Star is Firstdata. So much for trying to work from memory instead of looking at my cards.

Thanks for the feedback everyone...so if I understood everything correctly, if the ATM has a Mastercard logo on it, I will be able to withdraw cash from it with my WAMU and BECU debit cards regardless of the Co-Op or Star network symbol on the back of the card???

Check with both banks about fees. You may find that your credit union's fees are more customer friendly than WaMu's. It's worth looking into.

If the back of your cards has either PLUS or Cirrus symbols in addition to the other symbols, they will work. If any question, call the card issuer. I don't know if having a mastercard logo on the front means that it will work in the Cirrus network. You need to check very carefully. I haven't had a mastercard for years so I don't if they have quit putting the Cirrus symbol on the back.

Gregg,
Yes, both will work. Did you notice this line in the link I gave you "With more than a million ATMs in over 210 countries, you're never far from a MasterCard, Maestro or Cirrus ATM."

It doesn't matter what other logos you have as long as you have the MasterCard logo you are good.

I have a debit card and 2 credit cards - all VISA. But one of the cc cards is from my credit union and has no logo on the back (I've never noticed that before). Can this not be used in a European ATM? I've never used it in an ATM in the U.S. before - I've always just used it to charge things in stores, restaurants, etc. Just curious.

Thanks so much for the info...I really appreciate it!!!

Lee, doesn't that credit card have a Visa logo on the front:) If so, you will have no problems using it in Europe. Just be sure to inform your CU of your travel plans.

Lee,
Do you really want to use a credit card at an ATM? This would be a cash advance that could include a transaction fee, an exchange fee, and interest that starts while you are still counting the money.

If you have time, consider setting up a money market fund with Capital One. You can do that online. They have debit cards that you can use that don't charge ANY fees - you'll even earn a little interest. That's what we did on our last trip in 2008.