London & Paris - ATMs

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Our youngest daughter is going on a University class trip over her spring break (staring March 18) to London and Paris. The professor told them to take along an ATM card. We went to the bank and got her an ATM card that is tied to her savings account. Now we have heard that some students had problems in previous years because the ATM card tied to savings accounts do not have the Visa Emblem in the right hand corner, like the ATM cards tied to checking accounts. Does anyone know if this is so? We don't have time, now to set her up a checking account and then get her an ATM card with the Visa emblem on it. So if it is true, we will need to look at other options.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Our youngest daughter is going on a University class trip over her spring break (staring March 18) to London and Paris. The professor told them to take along an ATM card. We went to the bank and got her an ATM card that is tied to her savings account. Now we have heard that some students had problems in previous years because the ATM card tied to savings accounts do not have the Visa Emblem in the right hand corner, like the ATM cards tied to checking accounts. Does anyone know if this is so? We don't have time, now to set her up a checking account and then get her an ATM card with the Visa emblem on it. So if it is true, we will need to look at other options.

When my son went to Europe last year with his school, we got him a travel Visa card through AAA.

That is what the travel agent that put the trip together for the school recommended.

The way it works is that you give them cash, and they give you that much credit back on a card. You are allowed to add more money to the card if you need to do that. I think we added money a couple of times.

You can go to your local AAA office, or order online. If you order online, you need to use a credit/debit card to charge the amount you want to put on your childs new travel card....you can also use this card at local AAA to tansfer funds if you want, instead of cash.

I hope that wasn't too confusing.....Look for the "Travel Visa" on the AAA site.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

ATM cards

When I was in Europe, I found that my ATM card that required a 4 digit pin worked, but the 6 digit pins do not. Also, if the 4 digits stand for letters, be sure to know what numbers they correspond to because the machines in Europe generally don't have letters on them. FWIW.

Sue

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

I use a regular ATM card, with no logo of a credit card, and it works just fine in the UK and France.

Be careful of using a free-standing ATM not outside a bank, like those at highway rest stops, as many of them tack on extra fees.

Since the introduction of the euro, it has become impossible to find exchange houses with decent rates in France, so an ATM card is almost a necessity. The same is not true, however, in the UK. I use exchange houses more than ATM cards there. There are a couple of exchange houses just outside Victoria Station with excellent rates and no commission. Don't use those inside the station, however, as they stick it to you on either rates or commission or both.

One other ATM problem I have had in Europe to be aware of is that if something happens with the phone lines in the middle of the transaction, it can deduct the money from your account but NOT give you any money from the machine. I have had that happen twice in Europe, both times on Kartnerstrasse in Viena, but on different trips and at different banks.

Also, before putting the card in the machine, feel the slot to see if two wires slightly protrude. If so, go to another machine, as this indicates someone has inserted a device to capture your card, and are probably watching through binoculars to get your PIN number.

[aleksir Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close aleksir]

Last time in Paris I used ATM's with great success. It was an interesting comment on the 4 digit vs. 6 digit pin but since I have a 4 I had no problems.

Lucky kid.

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

Thanks for all the help. She is off tomorrow and I think she has all the bases covered.

[travelSFO Member Find all posts View Profile Close travelSFO]

When I was in Europe, I found that my ATM card that required a 4 digit pin worked, but the 6 digit pins do not. Also, if the 4 digits stand for letters, be sure to know what numbers they correspond to because the machines in Europe generally don't have letters on them. FWIW.

Sue

It is easy to change your 5 or 6 digit PIN to a 4 digit PIN. Just contact your bank and ask to have it changed. I did this when I traveled to Europe about 7 years ago and have had my 4-digit PIN since. It is usually necessary for International travel where the ATMs only recognize 4-digits.