switch/visa/maestro

[alisonbestford]

Can anyone please advise me whether you can use Maestro or Cirrus cards in Orlando at the ATMs.
Also, I have a Halifax Visa Debit card - do I just use a Visa ATM?
Sorry if these sound like daft questions - guess I'm just getting last minute planning nerves - we fly on Saturday
Thanks for your help.
Alison

 

[kevin harrison]

Can anyone please advise me whether you can use Maestro or Cirrus cards in Orlando at the ATMs.
Also, I have a Halifax Visa Debit card - do I just use a Visa ATM?
Sorry if these sound like daft questions - guess I'm just getting last minute planning nerves - we fly on Saturday
Thanks for your help.
Alison

Halifax Visa debit cards work fine, it's just treated as a credit card, you can withdraw money from an ATM no problem also, just watch out for a card charge, I think it's 0.5%.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Maestro/Cirrus cards can be used yes. I used mine last year.

 

[Goofyish]

Due to the charge for each withdrawl, it's best to make a few larger withdrawals rather than lots of little ones

 

[alisonbestford]

Thank you for your help
It'd be nice to think I wasn't going to need to make any withdrawals but guess that's just wishful thinking........
Alison

 

[KAC2005]

Think halifax visa debit charges £1.50 for every transaction done in a foriegn currency, my bank of scotland visa debit does and halifax are a part of BOS so should be the same.

KAC

 

[vicky1bfc]

While everyones on the subject,does anyone know if abbey debit charge for transactions? if so how much?

Thanx

 

[alisonbestford]

I've only ever dealt with Halifax whilst abroad and know they charge £1.50 which is fair enough. I think that most of the banks charge similarly - as they do here if it's a machine in a store or something.
Just knowing that you have access to your own money is reassuring tho I guess
Saying that, I think I've used my Abbey debit card (from a savings account, not current) before and been charged £1.50.
Alison

 

[tartangirl]

I believe the only debit card that doesn't charge for withdrawing cash is the Nationwide FlexAccount (so long as you stay in credit).

DH has just done a load of research and ended up getting the Nationwide Visa card and the Nationwide Debit card purely for use abroad as all others seem to charge (although some charges are hidden in the exchange rate).

The Visa card for all my purchases and the Debit card to save us needing to convert money before going.

If you look in your terms and conditions or on the back of your statement the charges are normally mentioned.

 

[ejones999]

As a Bank clerk I get asked this often.
Most banks 'charge' 2.75% of the transaction(this is included in the exchange rate and not shown seperately on your statement) AND a charge of 2%(min £1.50) for cash withdrawls.
Poster above is correct in stating that Nationwide does not apply these charges but I have no experience of what their rates are like compared to other banks( As every transaction costs Nationwide levied by Visa they must be getting the money back some way).
Eric

 

[daywalker]

The natiuonwide rocks for foreign transactions.

I used my nationwide credit card for purchases and my debit card for cash. No transaction fees, rates converted at bank rate (usually some $0.05 - $0.08 higher than tourist rate). You used to get cash back on the cc but I think they're scrapping this on foreign transactions now

 

[Ware Bears]

( As every transaction costs Nationwide levied by Visa they must be getting the money back some way).
Eric

Reason why Nationwide gives such a good rate is because they are still a mutual building society with members and do not have shareholders to answer to.

Elaine

 

[Martin29]

Hi Everybody,

I can confirm what has been said about the Nationwide Flexaccount switch card and Visa card. I opened up both accounts prior to my trip last November specifically because thet do not add charges to your transactions.

It's also true you receive the bank exchange rate and not the tourist rate. When my statement arrived at the beginning of January the exchange rates ranged from $1.85 all the way up to $1.94. Absolutely brilliant!!

I can't recommend them highly enough, after all every penny counts when you've got a huge credit card bill to pay off!!