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Friday, May 20, 2016

Yes - more and Debit and Credit cards

I wanted to add a little more about using an ATM overseas.  Normally we do not keep all of the funds in checking.  Just in case the card gets compromised or stolen we only keep so much at a time.  We keep the rest in savings and then transfer when we find Wi-Fi.

I swore I read on the TCU web site that they charge 1%. 

I ended up calling them because when I look on my bank statement from last October I see different percent's.  In one instance they are charging me 2% and in the next 1.6%.  So I called TCU and they told me their fee is 2% and I was lucky I was undercharged.    NOTE:  You pay the percent on the US cash withdrawn.  I would say the 170.09 below was most like 150 Euro and the 282.41 was 250 Euro.


This is from Navy Federal where they charge 1% with a fee of $1.  As you can see all transactions were 1% plus $1 for each withdrawal.  I love Navy FC because they also allow up to $500 a day withdrawal. 




Some more good info:

Essential tips for using debit and credit cards while travelling

1. Pay using a credit card whenever possible.

Foreign ATMs can still inflate their exchange rates and charge withdrawal fees, but a direct credit card payment only involves the credit card you signed up with in your home country. And with a good points or cashback program, this beats any other method of foreign payment.
Bottom line? Always pay with a credit card, but NEVER withdraw cash from an ATM with one. Credit cards charge interest on cash advances from the moment you withdraw it at the ATM.

2. Never take the option of paying in your own currency

Card terminals at shops and hotels will often detect that your card is from another country and offer to bill you in your home currency. Never choose this option – always pay in the foreign currency! The exchange rate offered will be inflated by the card terminal, so if you’re using one of the credit cards recommended above, you will receive a much better exchange rate.

3. Inform your debit and credit card providers of your travels

Credit and debit cards are frequently being monitored by security departments for suspicious activity. If you’re from the U.S. and you make an ATM withdrawal in Thailand when they don’t know you’re overseas, this could appear suspicious to your bank, and your card might be locked the next time you withdraw. Give your bank or credit card provider a call and let them know when and where you’ll be travelling. Take it from us – you do not want to be stuck without cash and a useless card!

4. Obtain at least one debit and credit card on each of the Visa/Plus and MasterCard/Cirrus networks.

Even if you follow the advice in tip #3, it’s possible your card could get locked anyway. On top of that, it’s easy to find yourself in a situation where an ATM accepts only one network and not the other. For example, when we travelled in Japan, the only ATMs we could find that would even accept international cards were at 7-Eleven, and they only worked with cards on the Visa/Plus network. I speak from experience – there’s nothing more stressful than needing more cash and not being able to withdraw it, so be prepared and bring multiple cards on multiple networks.

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