Direct Debit

[rune_74]

Yes, I see what you are saying. Seems like a much more convoluted system. I can't think of many places we cannot use ours as a debit card here. Interesting.

 

[tripletlyblessed]

Just be sure to talk to your bank if you have a 6-digit PIN. The machines here take 4-digits and you will run into problems. BTDT with a family member.

 

[JB2K]

Hi All

Here's a foriegner question for you all!

We are Canadians soon to be vacationing in California. My question is, how prevelant is direct debit at point of sale locations down there? Are they in any store or restaurant you go to?

We are just trying to figure out the best way to go between Credit Cards, Cash or Bank Cards when we come to spend all of our money on the much awaited vacation!!!!

Thanks!

Having some experience traveling in Canada, I can offer-up this...

Your "Interac" cards are compatible on our "NYCE" network at thousands of PIN-based points-of-sale all across the U.S. Same in reverse for us Americans traveling north to Canada.

More at the NYCE Website

Best to check with your financial institution before you go on vacation to see what fees, if any apply.

Also, for any Canadians banking at ScotiaBank, you have additional fee-free access to about 17,000 Bank of America ATM's across the U.S. (there's a branch near DL). More at the Wikipedia Article on the Global ATM Alliance

 

[JB2K]

For those talking about Visa/MasterCard debit cards, it is noteworthy to mention they are not very commonplace outside the U.S. Most countries outside the U.S. use a PIN-based system (Canada's Interac and Australia's EFTPOS, among others).