Fiesta Espana

[sayhello]

Ok stupid question. Are their ATM's as simple as ours to use, or are they complex? If we use a debit card from here, do we just need to know our pin and that's it?

Not stupid at all! That's all I had to do. You might want to check with your bank to make sure your card will work in Europe, but it was pretty straight-forward.

(I think someone said they had issues because their pin was the wrong length, but I don't remember the details. My pin was 4 digits, not starting with a zero, and worked just fine. If your pin fits that pattern, you *should* be good.)

Sayhello

 

[jrj130]

yeah, if you have a 4-digit code you'll probably be okay. One thing to note is that, as is usually the case here when you use another bank's ATM, if you need to do anything other than withdraw cash, (i.e., check your balance, make a balance transfer, etc. ) you're probably out of luck.

 

[carpenta]

Don't credit cards in Europe have a micro chip embedded in the card? I heard some places U.S. cards are not accepted or so I was told. Perhaps someone with more information than myself could elaborate on this subject. We used a credit card in Eastern Europe last year and had no trouble. I just would like to know for my own info for we are traveling next year and that would help.

 

[sayhello]

Don't credit cards in Europe have a micro chip embedded in the card? I heard some places U.S. cards are not accepted or so I was told. Perhaps someone with more information than myself could elaborate on this subject. We used a credit card in Eastern Europe last year and had no trouble. I just would like to know for my own info for we are traveling next year and that would help.

I think that it's *easier* for them to use the chip-and-pin that the European cards have, but that for the most part they *can* use US cards that don't have them. I had no problems using my card with no chip or pin, in England, France and Greece. And they certainly took it just fine at the Vatican shops!

Sayhello

 

[jrj130]

Again, I second what sayhello says. Merchants in Europe may make a face when you pull out a card that doesn't have "chip and pin" but they can still process it. I try to smooth the process by telling them up front that I need to swipe my card the old-fashioned way. In six European trips over the last 6 years, I don't think I've ever had someone refuse to take my credit card. Still, it's always good to have some cash in pocket in case you meet that one stubborn vendor.

 

[CarrianneB]

I think that it's *easier* for them to use the chip-and-pin that the European cards have, but that for the most part they *can* use US cards that don't have them. I had no problems using my card with no chip or pin, in England, France and Greece. And they certainly took it just fine at the Vatican shops! Sayhello

Thanks - this is good to know for Greece. I have no interest in one more "to do" before our trip.

 

[abbyjt]

Call your bank and credit card company before traveling and let them know your travel dates and locations.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I really enjoyed your trip report. I go to Spain a lot, but mostly go to the north shore (cousins in the northern province of Asturias). It was nice reading about the south of Spain, since it's been years since I have been there.

That was an excellent trip report! My DH and I are going on a very similar Spain trip this March (also includes two days in Portugal). Having never been there, how did you handle finances, thru a debit card? I'm the type of person that likes to have separate envelopes of "cash", actually travelers checks, for each day of our trips. I'd love to do that with Euros, but not sure if that's the best way to budget in Europe. Any info would be a tremendous help!

Although the exchange rate might be better when changing money there, my opinion is that it is still a good idea to take a healthy amount with you, not just one day, to use.

I agree with letting your banks know ahead of time that you are going to take your cards out of the country, so they won't cancel them, or put a hold on the money (that happened to a cousin of mine, and she spent a lot of time on an international call to straighten it out).

Here's what happened to me in 2011. I was staying in Madrid, and had made a day trip to Segovia (love that city). I put my debit card in the ATM to draw money. Realized that I should have taken out more, and put it in again. The ATM ate it. I called the bank listed on the ATM. They were already closed, and would be open the next day, but I was told that the card would be canceled, and I couldn't get it anyway. I called my home bank, and they told me the same thing. That they themselves would cancel the card, and I had no recourse. Luckily for me, I had another debit card (my main one), and used that the rest of the trip. I was super cautious by then, though, and only used it to purchase things. I waited until I was with family before using the card in the ATM machine.

Also, I agree with everyone who said to use a card that won't ding you for international transactions. My American cousin who had gone with me ended up spending a lot of money because she drew money out of the ATMs a lot and had to pay an international transaction fee every time she used the card, whether it was for a purchase or to draw out money. If you do have a card that is going to charge you, then it's prudent to deal primarily in cash, and use the cards sparingly.