I plan to use our AMT card exclusively in Switzerland. The bank that issued my card uses the "PLUS" network (other cards use "CIRRUS", etc). Will I encounter any problems? Thank you.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
I've used my PLUS card all over Switzerland with no problems.
Posted by
OP
Bend, Oregon, USA
111 posts
Thanks, Tim. In fact, I just called my local bank who advised me that although my ATM card uses the PLUS system, it will work on the CIRRUS as well.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Nope, you shouldn't have any difficulties. Plus is a logo owned by Visa. Cirrus is a logo that is owned by Mastercard. I used two ATM cards in Switzerland. My WAMU card has Cirrus and my BofA card has Plus. Providing that you have money in your account, they should work just fine.
Posted by
North Brunswick, NJ, USA
3 posts
Are there any charges of using the regular ATM card at shops / restaurants, etc. We are in Bernese area for 4 days and wanted to figure out our strategy for cash / plastic use. Any pointers.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9099 posts
You may not be able to use your ATM card to make point-of-sale purchases at shops/restaurants. ATM cards in Europe use smart chip technology, and some merchants only have hardware to read cards with chips, and not US card with magnetic strips. You won't have any problems using a US ATM card to withdraw cash at ATM machines, but to make direct purchases, it is hit & miss throughout much of Europe. If the merchants deals mostly with tourists, then they should have the magnetic strip reader, if they deal mostly with locals, just the smart card reader. In order to avoid the confusion, I rely on cash from ATM machines.
Posted by
COCONUT CREEK, CARENCRO, FL., LA., USA
152 posts
We were there for a week and used it everywhere. No problem.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32198 posts
Kit, make sure your funds are in a Chequing account, using a four number PIN. In my travels so far, I haven't found any way to access savings accounts via ATM's.
Happy travels!
Posted by
Newport Beach, CA, USA
769 posts
just got back from the Berner Oberland and CH for 2 weeks - no problem with ATM card from BofA at any ATM or even at a grocery store. But I usually recommend using ATM ONLY for ATM-cash - and use cash or credit (miles!?) for larger purchases/hotel bills and pay off at home later. Best exchange rates. I did have a lot of $5 service fee for the ATM - plus the %1 intl transaction fee - so as rick and others say - make a few larger ATM runs and save a few bucks vs daily withdrawls!