ATM/Exchange Fees Tricks to Separate You from Your Money

https://www.smartertravel.com/2016/07/11/new-atm-scam-targets-travelers/?source=91&u=3D933CE975&nltv=&nl_cs=29518960%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A

As this subject comes up frequently, this article might be helpful to many.

https://www.smartertravel.com/2016/07/11/new-atm-scam-targets-travelers/?source=91&u=3D933CE975&nltv=&nl_cs=29518960%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A

 

As this subject comes up frequently, this article might be helpful to many.

Very interesting....I knew about the vendors offer to "change into dollars for your convenience"....and their profit. But the private ATM machines in airports, I was not aware of. We go often enough that we usually have Euros left over from prior trip to use on next one and we always use a bank ATM because we were concerned with security...but now we have another reason. What about hotel ATM's are they bank or privately owned? I always considered them safe to use as well as banks. Next time I will be sure to read the machine first!!

Very interesting....I knew about the vendors offer to "change into dollars for your convenience"....and their profit. But the private ATM machines in airports, I was not aware of. We go often enough that we usually have Euros left over from prior trip to use on next one and we always use a bank ATM because we were concerned with security...but now we have another reason. What about hotel ATM's are they bank or privately owned? I always considered them safe to use as well as banks. Next time I will be sure to read the machine first!!

I'd be surprised if a hotel ATM was anything but privately owned. The hotel doesn't do it for your convenience; the owners pay them to host the machines.

If you don't want to depart with more money than necessary, avoiding anything, anywhere branded "Travelex" is a good idea.

I use a currency exchange in the US through Avalon's Journey's Club to get some cash. This year I'll be going into countries that do not use the Euro. I charge as much as I can using the local currency.

I bought a ring in Amsterdam several years ago and had the charge go on my card with Euros rather than US dollars. I was pleasantly surprised to see a low exchange rate when my bill came.

If I have leftover Euros I bring them home and save for my next river cruise.

Pat

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If you don't want to depart with more money than necessary, avoiding anything, anywhere branded "Travelex" is a good idea.

I have no idea if they have ATM's but I would also avoid Moneycorp as well. We all know buying currency is expensive at airports but MC were charging 1.04 for euros to the pound when I had seen them at Travelex at 1.10 (oops sorry this was at Gatwick). This side of the pond our money programmes always advise credit or debit card payments be made in local currency. I have stuck to this when asked and have always had a better rate.

I got caught out in Prague a few years ago. Stupidly left my cash in the room safe and went out exploring. Needed some money so used my debit card just to draw out a few Crowns. When I got home and saw my statement charges were around 20% because of such a small transaction. I now have a specialist debit card with no charges in Europe.

I knew about the "offer" to convert into home currency, so always ask for it to be in local currency. It makes a huge difference.

We are very lucky in that our bank has articulation agreements with many of the big banks around the world - so as long as I use an ATM in one of those banks, I am not charged ATM fees. And, conversion rates are bank rates.

Luckily our next trip primarily involves only countries that accept the Euro (disembarking in Switzerland, but am immediately driving into Germany...) I have some from our last trip, and will most likely pick up a bit more to last me until I arrive. And, always have plastic as well....

If I *really* need money (ie: traveling through Eastern Europe - and no one takes Euros, or plastic) then I just use an ATM and realize I am going to pay extra for it. At the end of the day, a few extra dollars isn't a huge deal in the scheme of things when I have already paid for the vacation!!

Fran

https://www.smartertravel.com/2016/07/11/new-atm-scam-targets-travelers/?source=91&u=3D933CE975&nltv=&nl_cs=29518960%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A%3A

 

As this subject comes up frequently, this article might be helpful to many.

Further to this thread, have a look at this site:

/transferwise.com/gb/blog/choose-local-currency-at-foreign-atm

It'll give you further information regarding ATM withdrawal.

We just came back from a river cruise from Budapest - Prague. We had to withdraw monies in Budapest & Prague, as we only had Euros. You can use Euros, but will get lousy exchange rates from the locals in Budapest & Prague.

Pretty straight forward, when the ATM asked if you want withdraw using their conversion rate, always say no & withdraw in local currency, be it in Fts for Budapest or CZK in Prague.

Just back from a trip that visit multiple countries: England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and Sweden. I got 50 pounds at an ATM in Scotland. We ate at a restaurant that did not accept credit cards. Then I realized that most places accepted credit cards. I used credit cards exclusively everywhere. Not a problem. My next trip is to countries that use euros. I have some from a previous visit. Not going to hit an ATM. Just going with plastic. Amazingly Europe is credit card friendly.

Just back from a trip that visit multiple countries: England, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Germany, and Sweden. I got 50 pounds at an ATM in Scotland. We ate at a restaurant that did not accept credit cards. Then I realized that most places accepted credit cards. I used credit cards exclusively everywhere. Not a problem. My next trip is to countries that use euros. I have some from a previous visit. Not going to hit an ATM. Just going with plastic. Amazingly Europe is credit card friendly.

Some credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee. Careful.

At ATMS never convert. I pull money in Spain quite often.

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