Post by Rich on May 26, 2004 19:57:02 GMT -5
Hi all,
Just thought I'd share 2 experiences with regards to money issues. We just got back from 3 weeks in England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Italy.
1. We had no problem getting money from the bank machines, but we did have a problem when we got home! After being so careful to not get robbed / pickpocketed (especially in Italy!), our pride was bitten when we checked our bank balance. We took out 200 Euros from the bank machine on the bottom floor of the termini station in Rome. When we returned home, we found that the bank in Rome charged us twice for the same transaction (ie. there were 2 withdrawals of 200 Euros from our bank account on the same day). After discussion with our bank, they're suspecting an error on the bank in Rome's part (not us just being tired travellers!). Weird event.....I've never heard of such an occurrence before. Anyone else?
2. Most of the forums suggest that the major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the major European stops. I would agree to a large extent, but I think it needs to be said that expectations of credit card use should be much less than in North America. Many museums, large grocery stores, hotels and restaurants did not take our Mastercard. In addition, those places that would accept it would only do so with a 2 Euro charge or a minumum purchase of 10-25 Euros (on average). I now count myself lucky everytime I use my credit card for jug of milk in a small grocery store!
Just thought I'd share 2 experiences with regards to money issues. We just got back from 3 weeks in England, France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Italy.
1. We had no problem getting money from the bank machines, but we did have a problem when we got home! After being so careful to not get robbed / pickpocketed (especially in Italy!), our pride was bitten when we checked our bank balance. We took out 200 Euros from the bank machine on the bottom floor of the termini station in Rome. When we returned home, we found that the bank in Rome charged us twice for the same transaction (ie. there were 2 withdrawals of 200 Euros from our bank account on the same day). After discussion with our bank, they're suspecting an error on the bank in Rome's part (not us just being tired travellers!). Weird event.....I've never heard of such an occurrence before. Anyone else?
2. Most of the forums suggest that the major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the major European stops. I would agree to a large extent, but I think it needs to be said that expectations of credit card use should be much less than in North America. Many museums, large grocery stores, hotels and restaurants did not take our Mastercard. In addition, those places that would accept it would only do so with a 2 Euro charge or a minumum purchase of 10-25 Euros (on average). I now count myself lucky everytime I use my credit card for jug of milk in a small grocery store!
