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#11
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
S Viemeister wrote: Dan K wrote: Yes, but the only ATM card that Charter One issues is their Mastercard debit card. So if you are a customer of theirs, you have no choice. Next trip I plan to get a pure ATM card from a different bank. 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'. If they have enough customers change banks in protest, I suspect they may change their policy again. At least in large cities in the U.S., you have many banks advertising for your business on the radio - so long as there are choices out there, no one has to stay with a bank whose policies they dislike. |
#13
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
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. -- Alfred Molon http://www.molon.de/Galleries.htm - Photos from Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Egypt, Austria, Budapest and Portugal |
#14
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
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. -- Alfred Molon http://www.molon.de/Galleries.htm - Photos from Myanmar, Brunei, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Egypt, Austria, Budapest and Portugal |
#15
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
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 My email address is my first initial followed by my surname at libero dot it I answer travel questions only in the newsgroup |
#16
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Dan K wrote:
Alfred Molon wrote in message m... Dan K wrote: 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. Mastercard is a credit card. It's better to use a true ATM card (Maestro), which charges lower fees than a credit card. With my Maestro card I have never had problems withdrawing cash from ATMs. Yes, but the only ATM card that Charter One issues is their Mastercard debit card. So if you are a customer of theirs, you have no choice. Next trip I plan to get a pure ATM card from a different bank. Dan The "pure ATM" vs debit card thing does not matter. Your problem is simply Charter One. Find a better back. Even if it's just an account that you use for ATM services. Try federal credit unions or small banks for better services. |
#17
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
"Tom Bellhouse" wrote in message
... "Mark Fagan" wrote in message ... It's always a good idea to call your credit card and ATM card providers before going on a trip. A change in use patterns might trigger an anti-theft hold on your card, in which case you then have to call home and get it unblocked. Some companies will only do this if you call from your home phone, for security reasons. Obviously tough to do in the middle of Provence or where ever! My card was blocked in Turkey. I was able to call the 800 number on the back of the card, identify myself, explain that it was "really me" in Turkey, and get the block lifted. Much easier to d it before leaving home, tho. Tom Ditto what others are saying, I always call my credit/atm card companies before an international trip to tell them where I will be using the card(s). And they always say that it is a good idea to call. |
#18
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
As far as I can tell there is no difference in machine access or
liability in the US. Debit cards can be used for purchases and, sometimes, cash access outside ATMs. 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. |
#19
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
It apparently is one bank not Mastercard. You're right they won't
abandon the market. Especially since there are few reasons for travelers to choose any particular bank. A Mate wrote: Sure you weren't over your credit limit!!!? I can't imagine Mastercard wiping out so many large markets in one foul swoop!!!! 'fess up, Dan!! "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 |
#20
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Mastercard ATM problems: Warning!
Then again, most cash access or exchange services charge far more.
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. |
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