Can't use ATMs with my bank debit card

squigoh · Veteran Member

Can't use ATMs with my bank debit card

tony2phones · Guru

You need a debit card with visa, mastercard or Cirrus affiliation. Whilst there are a number of ATM options in Ireland the Bank branch option will be limited in places, my bank is 12 miles away. Not sure about the cash advance option, never heard that one before.

Michele Erdvig · Host

That sounds odd. Can you call again and ask someone else? I always make sure to have two forms of ATM cards in Ireland...just in case!

Roy · Guru

I've been using my credit union vVsa debit card for trips to Ireland for a number of years. The key, as Tony said, is that it's a Visa card.

squigoh · Veteran Member

I asked at my branch office and then again at the main offices with the "expert" on foreign transactions and got the same answer. It is a Mastercard but they are only on a domestic Mastercard system. They are small enough that the costs would be prohibitive. I believe I have solved the problem. I have a TDAmeritrade brokerage account and am opening a checking account with them. I am told that there will be no foreign transaction fees and no atm fees and a $1000 daily limit.

tony2phones · Guru

I have never heard of a "Local" Mastercard even our prepay Mastercard is world wide. I would email mastercard themselves.....Consumer_Inquiries@mastercard.com

Michele Erdvig · Host

Do a test run with the Ameritrade card before you leave to be sure it works!

squigoh · Veteran Member

Michelle, I certainly will try the Ameritrade card before I leave. I'm paranoid now.

Tony, I sent an email off to mastercard. I'll let you know what I hear.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Don't be paranoid. Just be safe rather than sorry.

squigoh · Veteran Member

I heard back from Mastercard and they said that ATM use was entirely up to my bank and to contact them. Since I contacted two separate people at my bank and got the same answer, I guess I'll go with what they told me.

However, once I get to Ireland I'm going to give it a try just to see what happens.

wckc · Guru

We opened an online checking account with Capital1 Bank just for the purpose of having an ATM card to use while traveling. It worked great, and the interest rates we are earning are better than our local credit union! We are now using the local credit union just as a location for depositing checks and cash that Keith's business takes in, then transferring to the Capital 1 account.

Andi · Senior Member

THis is all new to me and I have a question. I have always used my credit card at ATM's for a cash advance. I have no debit card. So if I get a debit card that is visa or mastercard and the bank supports international use, will that be cheaper than using a credit card for cash advance?

squigoh · Veteran Member

I have a Capital One credit card which we have used in Europe and Asia and it is great. No transaction fees, good exchange rate. So when this problem with my bank's ATM card came up Capital One is the first place I went.

Unfortunately they are no longer offering Direct Banking products. They have acquired ING DIRECT and any future checking accounts will be through ING.

murphy · Guru

If you use your credit card for a cash advance, you will immediately begin paying daily interest on that amount untill you pay it off when your monthly credit card bill comes due. If I were forced into using my credit card for a cash advance (extreme emergency) I would pay it off immediately upon returning home....rather than wait for the statement to come! Better yet, if you are electronically linked with your credit card to a bank, and have an account with that bank, you could pay the balance by internet to stop the interest...if you were set up to do so. Don't know what your interest rate is on your credit card, but about the best I've seen or heard about is around 15% It really adds up!

Bottom line....have an atm or debit card linked to a bank account, no interest to pay, and one of the best conversion rates generally. Dan

tony2phones · Guru

Never use a credit card to BUY money from an ATM. There are enough options for Pre Pay visa and Mastercard Debit cards. simply buy the card, put on as much as you will need for your holiday (within acceptable limits) and you are all set.

http://www.mastercard.us/prepaid-travel-card.html

http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/visa_travel_money.html

Judy · Guru

What ever happened to good old Travelers Checks? I used them as a back up even after the first time I got a debit card to use in Ireland. Do the banks even offer Travelers Checks anymore? No hassle with them, just pay the Irish bank a small fee to cash them and you were on your way. Those were the good old days before credit cards and ATMs. And airfare was under $350.00 RT. biggrin

tony2phones · Guru

Irish banks "Do Not" cash travellers cheques any more.

Andi · Senior Member

Hmmm. . . I guess that interest charge must have been disguised as something else I didn't recognize. So all these years I've been paying interest on travel cash advances and didn't know it! Pretty stupid I suppose, but now I'll get a debit card. I never get a cash advance except while traveling, so it wasn't that apparent I suppose and looked like another fee. This website has just saved me money. Thank you.

-- Edited by Andi on Wednesday 1st of August 2012 08:36:53 PM

Andi · Senior Member

Well, interest has never been charged on my credit card while traveling, so I don't know what to think. That would be quite onerous. I always pay it off every month, so I would definitely know if interest had been charged, because it's always zero. I do always have transaction fees, though, so maybe a debit card would be better. I like using credit card for everything because I get miles.

As for travelers' check, the last couple trips I did with friends who insisted on using them were really a hassle. They don't seem to be generally accepted except by banks, and it can be quite time-consuming.

Michele Erdvig · Host

There is a difference between making a charge on a credit card and getting a "cash advance".

murphy · Guru

No, interest WILL NOT be charged on your credit card while traveling....if used for POS (point of sale) purchases...food, lodging, petrol, gifts etc, and you pay it off on time. However, if you use your credit card to get CASH, you will no doubt be charged interest from that day until it is paid off. That is the major difference. Hence the debit card linked to a bank account or a pre-loaded debit card like Tony mentioned, is the best choice.

As for traveler's checks, we own and operate a primarily "tourism business" in a resort community, and last week, we just took our first travelers check in over 2 1/2 years....reluctantly, because you never know for sure if they are really authentic, (a forged travelers check can be signed ahead of time, and then signed again at purchase). I guess the fear of forgery is prevelant because they are so seldom used in this day of "plastic".

Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

Andi,

You learn something new every day! Happy to save you money on future trips.

Michele