Daft ATM question?!

[alibeau]

Hi,

We are taking travel cash as well as our usual credit cards etc but a quick question.....

Should we need to withdraw extra spends from an ATM is there a 'best place' to go? Are all ATM's the same?! Or do some charge for withdrawals?

We have a Halifax Clarity card, would this be accepted in all ATM's?

Sorry if this is a daft question but we are taking less spends this time and just want a back up plan in case of an emergency!!!

Thanks in advance.

Ali.

 

[DisFanJen]

Pretty much all ATMs will work if your card is either a VISA (VISA Debit is fine) or Mastercard. Most ATMs do charge for cards to access money if they are not part of their bank group though I can't tell you how much as I have an American bank card.

As to locations, there are some Chase Bank ATMs in the parks, and Suntrust is big in the area, having a branch in at least one of the Walmarts (the one on the 192) and a branch directly opposite Disney Springs\DTD.

 

[Kath2003]

It's usually $2 per withdrawal so make fewer, larger withdrawals. You won't need much cash in Orlando anyway.

 

[DisFanJen]

Also be aware your bank will almost certainly charge for a withdrawal in a foreign currency no matter who's ATM you use.

I think the average charge is about 2.5% the withdrawal amount.

You may find it cheaper to get a pre-pay card that's in USD. It's like getting traveller's cheques but on plastic.

 

[wayneg]

Or just use your card for paying for things rather than getting cash then you have no fees at all.
I can easily get thru a holiday on $20 cash everything else goes on the card. I only use cash for tolls.

 

[alibeau]

Thanks guys.

Yes Wayne, I agree, just that Hubby is used to taking stacks of cash with us and for the first time I have talked him out of it!!!! We are taking limited ready cash and intend to put everything on the card....

He's panics just the same when we start to run low on beer at home......

 

[Lyricallie]

Or just use your card for paying for things rather than getting cash then you have no fees at all.
I can easily get thru a holiday on $20 cash everything else goes on the card. I only use cash for tolls.

I thought it cost to use your card abroad too. I'm pretty sure I've had fees of x% when using my TSB card.

 

[wayneg]

I thought it cost to use your card abroad too. I'm pretty sure I've had fees of x% when using my TSB card.

TSB charge 2.95% abroad but many of us use a fee free card. OP uses a Halifax Clarity, I use both Halifax Clarity and Post Office Credit card, neither have fees, you get the full interbank rate.

 

[Kath2003]

There are lots of fee-free cards available. We have one that we use for everything. We could easily spend less than $50 cash per week.

 

[Lyricallie]

TSB charge 2.95% abroad but many of us use a fee free card. OP uses a Halifax Clarity, I use both Halifax Clarity and Post Office Credit card, neither have fees, you get the full interbank rate.

Ah cheers, might need to look into it. The reason I used it was I got paid whilst I was out there so I knew I had extra cash.

 

[BagOLaughs]

I second the Halifax clarity card. I've been using mine for 3 years now to purchase abroad (including Japan) and its always given me the best exchange rate I could have got in those situations.