If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
one suggestion...
If you have access online or a telephone number to call, you can sometimes have your card unblocked while you are in another country. Several of my clients have had to do that while traveling in Morocco.. E. Elena Hall, Co Director Blue Men of Morocco Co. Visit us in Morocco! http://www.bluemenofmorocco.com "Dan K" wrote in message om... The ATM card issued by my bank (Charter One) is a Mastercard. I have always used it as an ATM card in Europe with no problems. Last week I was in Rome, Italy, and went to use it to get cash, and was told by the ATM machine "Card not valid for international transactions." I tried many different ATM machines, and kept getting the same type of message. Fortunately, I had brought some travelers checks along, so I cashed those. I got back yesterday, and called my bank to ask if they had any idea why I had problems. "Oh, yes" said the customer service rep. "We've blocked the use of Mastercard in a number of countries!" Apparently, due to fraud problems, the Mastercards can't be used in many countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, China, and a dozen others. In some countries the restriction was for PIN applications only (like ATM machines), in other countries (incuding all the ones I listed above) the cards couldn't be used for anything, even as a credit card. It wasn't clear if this was a Charter One policy, or a Mastercard policy; one rep said it was a general Mastercard policy, another rep didn't know. Therefo If you are planning a trip to Europe or Asia, and plan on using a Mastercard ATM card (or any ATM card for that matter), call your bank first, and confirm that you can use it. And have a backup plan for getting cash, such as traveler checks or an alternate ATM card. Message to Charter One: Thanks for not bothering to let your customers know about this policy!!! Happy trails. Dan |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Alfred Molon wrote:
Is there a difference between a debit card and an ATM card ? Credit cards give you a credit and you can pay back in rates, but debit cards deduct the amount instantly or within a few days from your account. The big difference between debit cards and ATMs, at least in the USA, is that debit cards can be used to make purchases without a PIN. For this reason debit cards are quite dangerous to lose compared to credit cards; even though you'll eventually get your money back, while things are investigated you have no access to your money. And of course if you lose an ATM card then people can't use it unless they have your PIN. miguel |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
"B Vaughan" wrote in message ... On Sat, 15 May 2004 16:00:21 +0200, Alfred Molon wrote: S Viemeister wrote: My bank automatically 'upgraded' me to a debit card. I insisted on having it changed back to a 'plain vanilla' ATM card, even though the first few people I spoke to, insisted it was impossible and claimed that 'all our cards are debit cards now'. Is there a difference between a debit card and an ATM card ? Credit cards give you a credit and you can pay back in rates, but debit cards deduct the amount instantly or within a few days from your account. Debit cards can be used to make purchases, as if they were a credit card, without entering a PIN. ATM cards are normally used to withdraw cash from an ATM, although they may also be used to make purchases in shops that have a machine that swipes the card and allows the entering of a PIN. ----------- Barbara Vaughan I have two UK Debit Cards. The first, issued by Cahoot, is a Visa Debit Card and it also has Link and Delta logos. I have used this extensively to pay for goods and hotel accommodation throughout Europe and the USA. The second card is a NatWest Servicecard 250 which has Switch, Maestro and Cirrus logos. I haven't used this for goods and services outside the UK but have no reason to think it wouldn't be accepted. And with both cards I can, of course, get cash from any ATM. JohnT |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
"Miguel Cruz" wrote in message ... Alfred Molon wrote: Is there a difference between a debit card and an ATM card ? Credit cards give you a credit and you can pay back in rates, but debit cards deduct the amount instantly or within a few days from your account. The big difference between debit cards and ATMs, at least in the USA, is that debit cards can be used to make purchases without a PIN. For this reason debit cards are quite dangerous to lose compared to credit cards; even though you'll eventually get your money back, while things are investigated you have no access to your money. And of course if you lose an ATM card then people can't use it unless they have your PIN. The banks are moving to chip and pin fpr debit cards too so that paricular problem is a temporary one. Keith |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Alfred Molon wrote: S Viemeister wrote: My bank automatically 'upgraded' me to a debit card. I insisted on having it changed back to a 'plain vanilla' ATM card, even though the first few people I spoke to, insisted it was impossible and claimed that 'all our cards are debit cards now'. Is there a difference between a debit card and an ATM card ? Credit cards give you a credit and you can pay back in rates, but debit cards deduct the amount instantly or within a few days from your account. I may be mistaken, but it's my understanding that a "debit" card is used like a normal credit card (for purchases only) but the purchase is charged against your account as soon as the charge slip reaches your bank. An ATM card is for obtaining cash (although in the U.S. it can also be used for purchases, with or without "cash back", in many grocery stores and fast food restaurants). If the two are combined, the card can be used either as an ATM card or a credit card - I really don't see any advantage to the consumer, but of course the bank gets its money faster for merchandise charges made on a debit card, because it does not need to send you a monthly statement in order to get paid. |
#27
|
|||
|
|||
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Alfred Molon wrote: emeryt wrote: I did learn some other interesting facts however....VISA and MC will charge a 1% conversion fee. One more reason not to use credit cards to withdraw money. Credit card companies routinely charge this 1% conversion fee if you use the card outside the European Union. And U.S. credit cards charge you interest from the date of withdrawal until you make payment, whereas interest on purchases does not commence until payment is past due. -- Alfred Molon http://www.molon.de/Galleries.htm - Photos from Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Egypt, Austria, Budapest and Portugal |
#28
|
|||
|
|||
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
On Sat, 15 May 2004 16:17:42 GMT, Miguel Cruz wrote:
Alfred Molon wrote: Is there a difference between a debit card and an ATM card ? Credit cards give you a credit and you can pay back in rates, but debit cards deduct the amount instantly or within a few days from your account. The big difference between debit cards and ATMs, at least in the USA, is that debit cards can be used to make purchases without a PIN. For this reason debit cards are quite dangerous to lose compared to credit cards; even though you'll eventually get your money back, while things are investigated you have no access to your money. And of course if you lose an ATM card then people can't use it unless they have your PIN. Not only that, since the money is immediately subtracted from your account, reporting the card stolen doesn't ensure you won't lose considerable amounts of money. The safeguards are fewer, and even if you eventually get your money back, you may have to wait quite a while. miguel ----------- Barbara Vaughan My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup |
#29
|
|||
|
|||
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
On Sat, 15 May 2004 21:06:36 +0100, "JohnT"
wrote: I have two UK Debit Cards. The first, issued by Cahoot, is a Visa Debit Card and it also has Link and Delta logos. I have used this extensively to pay for goods and hotel accommodation throughout Europe and the USA. The second card is a NatWest Servicecard 250 which has Switch, Maestro and Cirrus logos. I haven't used this for goods and services outside the UK but have no reason to think it wouldn't be accepted. And with both cards I can, of course, get cash from any ATM. Do you have to use a PIN with the Switch card? If so it's what I would call an ATM card. If not, it's a true debit card. I realize the term "ATM card" is maybe misleading, as they can be used to purchase goods, but it's the only way I know to distinguish those cards that require a PIN for all functions. They are safer than a debit card. ----------- Barbara Vaughan My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup |
#30
|
|||
|
|||
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
B Vaughan wrote:
On Sat, 15 May 2004 21:06:36 +0100, "JohnT" wrote: I have two UK Debit Cards. The first, issued by Cahoot, is a Visa Debit Card and it also has Link and Delta logos. I have used this extensively to pay for goods and hotel accommodation throughout Europe and the USA. The second card is a NatWest Servicecard 250 which has Switch, Maestro and Cirrus logos. I haven't used this for goods and services outside the UK but have no reason to think it wouldn't be accepted. And with both cards I can, of course, get cash from any ATM. Do you have to use a PIN with the Switch card? No, but see below. If so it's what I would call an ATM card. If not, it's a true debit card. I realize the term "ATM card" is maybe misleading, as they can be used to purchase goods, but it's the only way I know to distinguish those cards that require a PIN for all functions. Many switch issuers are moving to a 'chip and pin' system, which many countries are now adopting, or already have, so the distinction may be moot after a while- i.e. you will need to use a PIN when using your "debit card." There are a few stores in my area where, if you present a switch card _with_ a chip, you will only be able to use the card upon entering the PIN. So, my card is a "debit card" or an "ATM card" depending on the store I'm in, according to your definition. David -- David Horne- www.davidhorne.net usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning! | Dan K | Asia | 76 | June 9th, 2004 02:40 AM |
Mastercard ATM problems: Warning! | Dan K | Europe | 75 | June 9th, 2004 02:40 AM |
Haiti Travel Warning | Thomas Smith | Cruises | 6 | February 13th, 2004 03:22 AM |
No Tsunami Warning! | Ray Goldenberg | Cruises | 0 | December 22nd, 2003 08:12 PM |
Bahamas Travel warning | Stuck in Central Florida | Cruises | 0 | September 15th, 2003 01:08 PM |