question about atm pin codes in Europe

[Satyrist]

I'll be visiting Ireland in a bit under a week, this will be my first real trip out of the country on my own.

I wasn't sure if there were any restrictions to be aware of when using a foreign ATM machine? I'd imagine that these days, it shouldn't be a problem...But better safe than sorry.

Thanks!

 

[LS21]

nothing special

 

[l0cke]

The money that comes out is fake if you use an American card

 

[Syringer]

It's normal...I know that Barclays in England was the equivalent of BofA over here so there were no fees, not sure if they're in Ireland either or not.

Be sure to call your bank beforehand and tell them you're going overseas so they don't freeze your account on fraud suspicion.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Syringer

Be sure to call your bank beforehand and tell them you're going overseas so they don't freeze your account on fraud suspicion.

this

 

[indamixx99]

My sis went to Spain last year and said she had to change her pin# before leaving since it had a 0 in it, and the ATM's there don't accept 0 in the pin#

 

[deftron]

You have to convert your PIN to to the metric system, I think.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Syringer

Be sure to call your bank beforehand and tell them you're going overseas so they don't freeze your account on fraud suspicion.

this

Yup nothing worse than going on a holiday and not having any money because you are stupid.

Bring some travellers checks too!

You going to Dublin?

 

[paulney]

I once traveled to Spain, and needed to withdraw some money upon landing at Madrid airport. The ATM machine had a slightly different keypad, and to my horror, I realized I had the pin-code memorized in my palm's physical memory: my fingers pushed the right buttons on the US keyboard, but I could not recall the number itself. Time pressure and initial shock after having the transaction denied twice added to the confusion. It took me a good ten minutes standing in the corner and waving my hand in the air like a lunatic, punching imaginary keyboard until my brain clicked and recalled the pin-code loud and clear.

Moral of the story: make sure you have the number memorized.

 

[LS21]

Originally posted by: PlasmaBomb


Bring some travellers checks too!

wrong decade

if you want to be mega sure, maybe get a bank card with Cirrus and another with PLUS or something like that for maximum compatibility. otherwise, 2 CCs and 1 debit card should keep you funded anywhere in the world

 

[paulney]

Travelers checks is one sure way to get bent over on exchange rates. Not only you get piss poor rate, but not every place will take them, and you have to carry a passport. Good luck with that

 

[AznAnarchy99]

American banks have certain like brother/sister banks that they have in other countries. Call or google to find out what they are. If you go to those banks you wont get charged all of those extra fees. I went to France and I needed money quickly so i withdrew from a non affiliate bank and i got charged a flat fee and 5% of what i took out. Then after that i went to BNP, which is the BoA affiliate, and i didnt get charged a penny.

 

[Satyrist]

Originally posted by: indamixx99
My sis went to Spain last year and said she had to change her pin# before leaving since it had a 0 in it, and the ATM's there don't accept 0 in the pin#

Mine doesn't have that problem, curious if it's that way in Ireland though.

Also, It was either Spain or Italy, their ATM's used 5 digit PINS as opposed to 4 digits.

Planning on taking a visit to a local branch to let em know about my trip in any event, got a cc & debit with them, so it's all good.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Satyrist

Originally posted by: indamixx99
My sis went to Spain last year and said she had to change her pin# before leaving since it had a 0 in it, and the ATM's there don't accept 0 in the pin#

Mine doesn't have that problem, curious if it's that way in Ireland though.

Also, It was either Spain or Italy, their ATM's used 5 digit PINS as opposed to 4 digits.

Planning on taking a visit to a local branch to let em know about my trip in any event, got a cc & debit with them, so it's all good.

My pin had a zero in it, and it worked fine in any ATM in Spain.
Also, some banks here (for example Star One Credit Union) also have 5-digit pins.

 

[Syringer]

Most places took my VISA credit card too so that wasn't an issue either.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I have traveled all over Europe and have always only used my USAA Debit Card and Visa/Mastercards.

I haven't used checks since like 1995.

You also get the best exchange rates with ATM/debit/credit cards.

Just let your banks know you will be out of country.

 

[Crusty]

I had no problems using my Visa debit card in Holland. Free worldwide ATM's ftw