Debit card question

I have never seen Discover debit card as an ATM option in Europe. Only we used one to pay at a multi-national hotel chain. You need Visa or Mastercard. And of course be sure to consult with your local bank before you go anyway.

Get a mastercard or visa debit card, and the potential problem disappears. Discover is a minor play in Europe.

Discover shares the network with Diner's Club. So if you see a Diner's Club emblem the card will probably work. But Discover, no matter how much they might tell you differently, is not very useful in Europe as your friends found out.

Visa, MasterCard, and even American Express are more accepted everywhere you are likely to be on your trip. Ask your bank if they can issue you one of those instead or in addition to your Discover Debit. Or open an account with one of the no fee card issuers that you will find mentioned here a lot. They all issue either Visa or MasterCard. I have a Capital One 360 MasterDebit card and it has worked everywhere every time for me for over 10 years of travel through almost all of Europe -- and I have never paid more than 2 cents for a transaction more than the exchange rate shown on Google for any foreign currency I got from any bank operated ATM.

Whatever your allegiance to Discover (or American Express, for that matter), they are of limited use outside the USA. And for both convenience and security you should have at least one chequing account with an attached ATM card from a VISA or MasterCard institution. Two different ones ate better because ATM machines anywhere can have their quirks. Never, I mean never, carry all your cards in a single wallet/purse. Spread them around so you always have back-up. Also check the fees for foreign exchange on both debit and credit cards; I save money by withdrawing a large amount of cash and spending it instead of credit charges -- easy, convenient, fast, and just as secure and charging on plastic.

Southam is giving you great advice. However, one small point. In Canada, no credit cards are available without an extra fx fee being charged for overseas purchases. Do a little research and in the States, you'll have many options for credit cards that do not tack on fees for foreign transactions. Check with your local credit union or with CapitalOne or Chase. They all offer cards that don't tack on the extra 3%.

I do not agree with carrying large amounts of cash. When in Europe, just like at home, I carry as little cash as practical. CC's are readily accepted in most hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. Most but not all. Just as with some credit cards, banks also add fx fees on ATM withdrawals overseas. Again, a little shopping around can avoid them. I carry a CapOne MasterCard, a Chase Amazon Visa, Amex and a debit card from my CapitalOne Bank checking account - none of which charge those fees.

Thanks for all the help. My husband and I have been banking with our local bank for 33 years. Two years ago, they discontinued the Visa debit card and switched to Discover. I have been concerned since they did that if we would have problems when we traveled overseas. I will check out the Visa debit card options.

We're in Venice now and had a serious glitch on our first two days. At first hubbys debit card refused to work, luckily we had Euro on hand from prior trip. Second day his worked, but mine would not....same bank issued debit cards with separate numbers but linked to same account. Later mine worked... we have no idea why but both are now working. Biggest glitch is my Capital One MasterCard that I've used for travel abroad before. They were notified in advance of travel, specific dates ,etc. Twice it was declined. When I called CapOne they said ' we sent you a new card, should receive it shortly'. Me.... ugh, I am in Europe NOW. They said because they had a new card coming to my home address, a chip card, my old card was NO LONGER VALID. I was at no point ever told that they were re-issuing my card before leaving home. And when the customer service agent checked the information about my travel dates they noticed that only my return date was noted. They never noted the date I was leaving the US. They of course apologized, and offered to mail one to me in Europe, but we are relocating often so that's not an option. Luckily it's customary for me to back myself up on everything. I had brought 2 additional credit cards. I'm so glad that I did. If it had been my only one I would have been stuck!

We always travel with credit cards, a Master Card (not accepted everywhere), an American Express card (not accepted everywhere), and a Visa (seems to be good to go wherever we go.)

Discover isn't always accepted. If possible, I would look into a no-fee Visa card for next time, and a no fee, no foreign transaction fee Visa is even better.

I travel with 2 ATM cards on different banks.

Master Card (not accepted everywhere)

Never had my Mastercards refused by any merchant that accepts plastic.

I have gone to Europe for 14 years in the last 16 years and use a Master card and a Visa card (keeping either one as a back up) and have never had a problem using either type anywhere in Europe.