Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Only use a debit card at the ATM.
If you use a credit card, the transaction is considered
a cash advance so you'll be hit with huge fees and high interest rates. Additionally, make sure
your debit card is attached to your main checking account because you won't be able to with-
draw from a secondary checking account or a savings account.
Your debit card must have a four-digit PIN code.
Some cards use a six-digit code but
those won't work in European cash machines.
Check compatibility.
Ensure your debit card has either a Cirrus or Plus logo on them
(any Visa or MasterCard will have one). Cards with these logos are the most widely accepted
throughout Europe. American Express and Discover are accepted in some locations but not
nearly as much as Visa or MasterCard.
Contact your bank about their fees.
One great thing about ATMs in Europe is that they
don't charge you a fee when you use them—even if it's not your bank. However, your home
bank will probably charge you a flat fee (usually between $1 and $5) and/or an “international
transaction fee” that is usually 1-3% of the amount withdrawn. Pay attention to these charges
because they can add up quickly—especially if your bank charges $5 each time you make a
withdrawal. Obviously, if your bank charges a high flat fee it is wiser to withdraw large chunks
of cash to reduce the amount of fees charged.
Banks are always switching up their fees so you'll have to do a little research to find the best
option.
NerdWallet.com
is a good source for updated information about which cards are the
best for international travel.
Have a backup card in case something happens to your card
. Every time I put my card
into a foreign ATM, I have the sinking feeling the machine will eat it—that's why I prefer to
use them only during business hours. Once, while traveling in France, I entered my PIN in-
correctly three times (I was using the wrong card) and the machine took the card. I talked to
the banker inside and they said it couldn't be retrieved. Luckily I had another card; without it,
I would not have had a way to get money. If your card does get stuck, and there isn't a message
on screen telling you why it's not being returned, cancel your card—this is one method thieves
use to tamper with ATMs to steal people's cards.
Check your daily withdrawal limits
. Some banks put a daily limit on how much cash you
can withdraw. Additionally, the ATM may also limit how much you can withdraw. If you're
on a budget you probably won't reach the limit but it is good to keep in mind.
Pay attention to your surroundings.
Be aware when you're using the ATM because it's
one area that thieves and scammers love to target. First, if anything about the machine looks
strange, find another one. It isn't uncommon for thieves to install cameras and fake keypads
on ATMs in an effort to steal your information. Always cover the keypad with your hand as
you enter your PIN.
Keep an eye on your surroundings as you use the machine. Once, as my wife was using an
ATM in Paris, three young children approached her. One of them pulled on her arm and an-
