Ellen
Full Member
Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.'Edgar Degas'
Posts: 193
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Post by Ellen on Sept 15, 2008 11:39:42 GMT -5
Guys can any of you tell me if I'll be able to use my Debit card in paris in the ATMs, to withdraw cash. Here in Ireland its called a Laser card, probably (because it just seems to zap the money out of my account  ). It's the equivelent of the English Maestro card, just a different name. Just wondering what everyone experiences are. No credit card at the mo, had to get the scissors to my old one , just paid off , and I'm not gettting another one for Paris as I'll be uncontrolable. So hoping not to have to bring cash. Thanks all.  |
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Post by annette on Sept 15, 2008 12:14:13 GMT -5
Ellen, we always use our debit card for any cash we need in Paris, with no difficulties, but I'm not sure if our US debit cards are the same as yours (ours are attached to a credit card company).
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Post by mossie on Sept 15, 2008 13:24:04 GMT -5
I don't think you should have any trouble, I always use my UK debit card.
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Post by denise on Sept 15, 2008 14:44:34 GMT -5
Dear Ellen....yes I have used my Uk debit card in Paris, like you I cut up my credit cards years ago. My debit card is Visa though, I would check with your bank. Don't get me started on the charges though. Look at you agreement. Lloyds tsb charge something like 2% "currency conversion and £1 per transaction. Last time this queston came up I had a rant!  Good job I think the world is wonderful today! ;D Denise Love from England |
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Post by mossie on Sept 16, 2008 8:51:23 GMT -5
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Post by denise on Sept 16, 2008 9:10:52 GMT -5
Hi Mossie.Thanks for this I am going to try it. denise love from england  |
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Ellen
Full Member
Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.'Edgar Degas'
Posts: 193
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Post by Ellen on Sept 16, 2008 17:13:10 GMT -5
Mossie that sounds like a great idea. I do hope they introduce something similiar here.
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Post by denise on Sept 16, 2008 21:04:05 GMT -5
:)Mossie......Seemed like a good deal. They only charge £2 for ATM withdrawals and nothing for purchases, you can use it like a credit card.........I should have googled them before I applied.
I am sure they are genuine, but, my application was rejected and then I got an email asking me to ring them. They said there was something wrong with the card number (even though I am sure I imputed the right one, checked it twice) and took my details over the phone.
They then sent a second email saying my application had been accepted and could I send copies of my passport and a utility bill.Now alarm bells were ringing as I am not comfortable giving out this sort of documentation. I go to great lengths to shred everything to protect myself from identity fraud.
So I rang them and asked how cold I verify they were genuine....The girl on the other end of the phone seemed flummoxed and couldn't tell me. She said she had never been asked before but she understood what I meant. She suggested I google them.
So I googled them,and yes they do seem genuine, the passport and utility bills are required by law to pevent money laundering, but what they didn't tell me was that you have to load a minimum of £500 onto the card. I don't really want to tie up £500 in this way as incidentals require cash anyway.
So I have emailed them to cancel the application. They have not taken the £10 fee from my bank account yet so lets hope they don't.
Lesson learnt..always do your research before you jump in
Denise
love from bolton
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Post by mossie on Sept 17, 2008 8:38:45 GMT -5
Hi Denise, I hadn't realised it was £500 I thought I'd seen 500 euros. But I think if I used it for the hotel and took cash as I usually do from ATMs that that would keep me going OK. Of course I always have to take a little present  home with me as well. Will have to do my sums before I go next, whenever that is. |
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Post by Happygoin on Sept 17, 2008 10:18:51 GMT -5
Hi Ellen. There was an article in the Boston Globe last week about the possibility of introducing the chip to US credit cards. Someone-in-the-know, said it was unlikely, due to the enormous price tag involved in changing all the credit cards out there.
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Post by Truffaut on Sept 17, 2008 10:57:10 GMT -5
Yes, and God knows that the banking system here in the US is so much more advanced than everywhere else in the world. We have only to look back over the last few days to be able to wallow in our obvious superiority.
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Post by Happygoin on Sept 17, 2008 12:45:04 GMT -5
Yeah, real obvious, T. Of course, it's much cheaper to keep paying millions in damages and penalties when sensitive information gets stolen  . |
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Post by galan05 on Sept 19, 2008 14:52:53 GMT -5
I found a simple solution for using ATMs in other countries. I opened an account with HSBC. They have branches in almost every country in the world. One card that works at home, and everywhere else. no worries.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Sept 19, 2008 18:07:17 GMT -5
galan (welcome to the forum!), I hadn't thought of HSBC (although at one point I looked at some others I knew were in France and thought I could find in the US). Do you know whether HSBC would charge a currency conversion fee, if one has an account in one country and withdraws a different currency in another country (whether at an HSBC branch, or not)? I remember doing that with Citibank when they had a branch near the Arc, but that's long gone and I don't recall what (if anything) they charged as conversion fees. I assume there was at least a modest charge, since usually the banks are separately incorporated in different countries although operating under one name. Still, it probably would get rid of at least some charges, all of which is to the good! Thanks for the suggestion.
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Post by chicchantal on Sept 20, 2008 12:46:20 GMT -5
Someone told me you have to be terribly rich to open an account with HSBC. Which I thought was odd to be honest.
Ellen the thing with ATMs abroad is they can be a bit temperamental so if one ATM rejects your card, try the one next to it and you'll probably be fine. A German friend of mine had the same problem in the UK. Of three identical ATMS at the same branch of one bank, two rejected her card and the third was no problem at all. It's very weird. I tried to draw money out at a Travelex place in Lyon station in June and all their machines rejected both my debit and my credit card, which gave me the proverbial mauvais quart d'heure, but the banks were all fine.
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). It's the equivelent of the English Maestro card, just a different name.
home with me as well. 
.
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha