Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ThroughoutEurope,ATMsarethestandard wayfortravelers togetcash.Butstayaway
from “independent” ATMs such as Travelex, Euronet, and Forex, which charge huge com-
missions and have terrible exchange rates.
To withdraw money from an ATM, you'll need a debit card (ideally with a Visa or
MasterCard logo for maximum usability), plus a PIN code. Know your PIN code in num-
bers; there are only numbers—no letters—on European keypads. Although you can use a
credit card for an ATM transaction, it only makes sense in an emergency, because it's con-
sidered a cash advance (borrowed at a high interest rate) rather than a withdrawal. Try to
withdraw large sums of money to reduce the number of per-transaction bank fees you'll
pay.
For increased security, shield the keypad when entering your PIN code, and don't use
an ATM if anything on the front of the machine looks loose or damaged (a sign that
someone may have attached a “skimming” device to capture account information). Some
travelers make a point of monitoring their accounts while traveling to detect any unauthor-
ized transactions.
Eveninmist-kissedIreland,you'llneedtokeepyourcashsafe.Pickpocketstargettour-
ists. To safeguard your cash, wear a money belt—a pouch with a strap that you buckle
around your waist like a belt and tuck under your clothes. Keep your cash, credit cards,
and passport secure in your money belt, and carry only a day's spending money in your
front pocket.
For purchases, Visa and MasterCard are more commonly accepted than American Ex-
press. Just like at home, credit and debit cards work easily at larger hotels, restaurants,
and shops. I typically use a debit card to withdraw cash to pay for most purchases. I use
my credit card only in a few specific situations: to book hotel reservations by phone, to
cover major expenses (such as car rentals, plane tickets, and long hotel stays), and to pay
for things near the end of my trip (to avoid another visit to the ATM). While you could
use a debit card to make most large purchases, using a credit card offers a greater degree
of fraud protection (because debit cards draw funds directly from your account).
Ask Your Credit- or Debit-Card Company:
Before your trip, contact the company
that issued your debit or credit cards.
• Confirm that your
card will work overseas,
and alert them that you'll be using it in
Europe; otherwise, they may deny transactions if they perceive unusual spending patterns.
• Ask for the specifics on transaction
fees.
When you use your credit or debit
card—either for purchases or ATM withdrawals—you'll typically be charged additional
“international transaction” fees of up to 3 percent (1 percent is normal) plus $5 per trans-
