You can always use a debit card at an ATM at the first port of call to get local currency. We use a credit-union-issued debit card that has no foreign exchange fee and refunds any transaction fees for out-of-network cash withdrawals. I’ve obtained Canadian dollars, British pounds, and euros on various cruises without difficulty. That includes Ponta Delgada, which I believe is the first foreign port you will visit on the EBTA cruise this May.
Yes, definitely do this. We travel with a primary card that we plan to use and a secondary card as backup. DW carries a different backup card. We also carry multiple debit cards (hers, mine, and ours where ours is primary). All of our card issuers have an online form for international travel that we complete prior to leaving home. It‘s much better to plan ahead, since the card issuer may immediately block the card if they detect suspicious activity, perhaps sending out a text or email message or calling to alert the user.
Yes, you can exchange US for Euros onboard. Be aware the exchange rate stinks. If you can wait, you can hit an ATM once in Europe to get Euros at a better exchange rate.
Perhaps not. My bank outsources foreign currency exchange for consumers who want to purchase foreign currencies in advance of trips to Travelex, the same people who operate currency exchange booths at our local airports (O’Hare and Midway in Chicago), so not great rates. I assume that business customers doing large exchanges get much better rates. The exchange rates for credit and debit card transactions in foreign currencies are competitive except that the bank tacks on a 3% foreign exchange handling fee. As a result, we now instead use credit and debit cards issued by our credit union, where we maintain small savings and checking accounts. They do not charge any foreign exchange fees and also refund any debit card ATM fees for using an out-of-network ATMs. Our usual bank debit and Disney Chase credit cards are our backup cards when we travel out of the US.
Just to reiterate, since I think this might get lost between longer posts.
Just to restate, when using your debit card if given the option to pay in US Dollars - don't. Pay in the local currency.
I don't think your premise is correct regarding a lost or stolen debit card, assuming you report it in a timely manner. See the FTC web site for details: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/lost-or-stolen-credit-atm-debit-cards . With a timely report (defined as within 2 business days), you are only responsible for the first $50 on debit cards at most, and for $0 if you report the loss prior to when it is used. By the way, that is also the limit on credit cards, rather than the $100 you indicate.
While true, this can be a problem when traveling internationally. For example, Chase will send an email and/or text alert to your phone and you may need to respond in real time in order to authorize a suspect transaction for it to go through (I have had this happen while making a substantial down payment on a home renovation project, with the transaction blocked because it did not match my usual purchase pattern. Fortunately, I was able to respond immediately to an included link indicating that it was a legitimate charge, so the person processing the transaction could just put it through a second time to get it approved). That might not work if you are out of the country when it happens, unless you add a daily phone/internet option so you can receive emails and/or text messages (we use AT&Ts international plan that costs $10 per 24 hours whenever it is activated).
And I thought of this, not sure how to handle it. My cell service doesn't include free international.... Guess I should be reachable while in port and pay the roaming and accept calls.
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