U2Fan
Full Travel Member
Posts: 17
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Post by U2Fan on Jul 16, 2002 20:49:29 GMT -5
Hi all! I'm new here(just discovered the site today)and I'm traveling to GB/Ireland in October. I want to take some Traveler's Cheques, but since I've never been to Europe before, I'm not sure how much money I should take in Traveler's Cheques. I was planning on only using my Visa ATM/and Credit Card, but knowing my luck, the ATM would eat my card. So any advice you could give me, I would really appreciate! See you all around! U2Fan
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Post by Kim on Jul 16, 2002 21:06:24 GMT -5
I would only take very limited funds in travellers cheques, the exchange rate isn't the greatest. Maybe $150 or something like that.
What you can do is ask your bank for a second ATM card. I got a second one (takes a little sweet talking) and gave it to my boyfriend in case mine got lost or something.
Kim
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U2Fan
Full Travel Member
Posts: 17
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Post by U2Fan on Jul 16, 2002 22:49:17 GMT -5
Hey, thanks for the reply...unfortunately, my bank said they couldn't issue me an extra copy of the ATM card. So I'm opening another checking account with the "europe fund" and having an ATM/debit card made not only for me, but I'm putting my mom on the account too(she's traveling with me)...that way, we will have two copies. I hate "cheating the system" but if they're going to be stubborn, then I'll have to do it But you're right about the exchange rates. Have you ever had any trouble with an ATM/debit card in Europe? Thanks, U2Fan
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Post by Kim on Jul 16, 2002 22:54:16 GMT -5
The only difficulty we ran into is that I had my money in a savings account, rather than a chequing.
Many bank machines in Europe don't give you a choice of which account to withdrawl from-it's only chequing. I asked a bank teller in Brugges why and she said "Savings are for saving". Fair enough!
You might also want to leave a note with someone you trust giving them access to your account while you are away. This way if you need anything done, they can do it from your own country. I was glad I did as my mom had to transfer my money into the chequings account!
So make sure your money is in a chequing account. Also, it's best if your PIN number is 4 digits.
Kim
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Post by me on Jul 16, 2002 23:03:34 GMT -5
U2Fan is clever to figure out how to "cheat the system." but where i come from, customer is king. if your bank refuses to issue a 2nd atm card, it's time to get a new bank! it's not the bank's money; they have no right to restrict your access to your own cash!
time for me to climb off of my high horse. but it gets my ire going to hear of an institution trying to call the shots.
- d
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U2Fan
Full Travel Member
Posts: 17
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Post by U2Fan on Jul 17, 2002 0:13:31 GMT -5
I'm going to strut into the bank and give them the names of the bank across the street that will give me 2 ATM cards, no questions asked. I really am fed up with my bank, and this is a great excuse to leave.
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Post by nitsansh on Jul 17, 2002 8:29:35 GMT -5
If you have ATM card, let alone two, You better just take some money in TC for case of emergency. Some poor people in this world don't even have one, and they need those TCs... my credit card, for example, is valid only in this country... but maybe next time I go abroad (probably somewhere in Europe) I'll try harder...
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lynn
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 59
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Post by lynn on Apr 22, 2004 8:53:37 GMT -5
I would only take very limited funds in travellers cheques, the exchange rate isn't the greatest. Maybe $150 or something like that. What you can do is ask your bank for a second ATM card. I got a second one (takes a little sweet talking) and gave it to my boyfriend in case mine got lost or something. Kim dumb questions, but....what is the purpose of taking 2 debit cards. If you lose one, don't you have to contact your bank so they can put a stop on it? If that's the case, how would you be able to use the 2nd card, wouldn't the bank have to reissue an entirely new card with a new card number? thanks
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Post by Kim on Apr 22, 2004 9:32:12 GMT -5
There are other circumstances besides losing it that you may need a second card - an ATM machine eating your card, you accidentally wrecking your card, your strip not working any more etc.
Plus, if they don't know your PIN, they can't use your card.
Kim
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lynn
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 59
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Post by lynn on Apr 22, 2004 9:39:01 GMT -5
There are other circumstances besides losing it that you may need a second card - an ATM machine eating your card, you accidentally wrecking your card, your strip not working any more etc. Plus, if they don't know your PIN, they can't use your card. Kim got it. thanks Kim. So if my ATM card were to get "eaten" or if I lose it, should I still contact my bank to let them know, or just start using my 2nd card?
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Post by MuvverRussia on May 2, 2004 20:08:46 GMT -5
Personally, I wouldn't bother with traveller's cheques. In my opnion they're a waste of time in Europe, especially when you consider that the crime rate is relatively low and that ATMs are everywhere.
Also, if your atm card is 'eaten', destroyed, lost or stolen then contact your bank as soon as possible- my ATM card can be used to make purchases as well, so if it gets lost then people can copy my signature and use it to buy stuff. I'm not sure if yours are the same, so this mightn't apply to you.
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Post by LHR02 on May 4, 2004 5:15:06 GMT -5
Mine is the same as well....can be used just like a CC. However when my bank issued me the second card for the account it's not a 'duplicate' per se. It has a different card number and password than the original one so I can cancel one without affecting the second one....even though they are both tied to the same account.
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Post by Annoymous on May 4, 2004 9:41:05 GMT -5
For those in Canada that want an easy way to get second ATM card you can get your Visa card linked to your Cheqing Account. This way if you lose your ATM card you can use your Visa card to access your Cheqing account at an ATM machine. You will need to have a Visa card that is the same as your bank. i.e. TD Visa card and a TD Cheqing Account
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lynn
Senior Travel Member
Posts: 59
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Post by lynn on May 5, 2004 12:18:02 GMT -5
My only problem is, I have a checking card with a visa logo on it. In other words, if for example I lost that card even though nobody could access money from an ATM without my pin number they would still be able to use it to make purchases, just like a regular visa credit card. So I guess it would be useless for me to bring two check cards in this instance...would it not?
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Post by LHR02 on May 5, 2004 13:15:30 GMT -5
no......you would simply report the card that was stolen/lost and carry on with your back up card. The advantage being your funds would not be stopped cold by the loss of your single card.
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