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Here are some useful
Money-related web sites.
Each has an ATM locator database which you can search for address of ATMs at your travel destination. Visa lists all Visa and PLUS locations, while MasterCard lists all C/C and CIRRUS ATM locations.
PLUS as well as CIRRUS systems worked in Italy, Switzerland, and France ATMs for Gwyn and Wayne Hirasa who just returned from Europe mid April. (This is a major change from a year ago. see below) Gwyn said the service charge for each ATM transaction was 50 cents. And of course they got the best possible exchange rate using the ATM vs. Travelers Cheques. Wayne added that the ATMs made it convenient to get money after hours for their next day sight seeing , thus saving valuable day-time sight seeing time and avoided standing in bank or exchange service lines. Gwyn & Wayne Hirasa 29 April 2000
........By the way Mele, I was reminded how very glad I was that you encouraged me to get an ATM card before we left. Great way to get money. It deals so efficiently with security/theft issues, money changing hassles and unexpected shortfalls of cash and is soooo convenient to boot. Really, I think, the only way to go. Marlee 27 June 99 Marlee and everyone else, Generally the PLUS system works in UK and CIRRUS system on the continent. The PLUS system--most common for Hawaii banks--won't work most places on the continent. One TERC reader reported her PLUS card was "eaten" by a Paris ATM machine April 99. I expect this to changes as the Euro$ becomes the standard for many countries by year 2002. I love packing light with my money and take two ATM cards for my two checking accounts here in Hawaii. One is PLUS and the other is CIRRUS. I can easily get cash when I need it at 10 PM in the Cinque Terre or Sunday AM in Bath--which use different systems. Besides keeping my money belt thin--no traveler's checks-- I avoid lousy exchange rates with fees at exchange bureaus. I also carry several American $20 and $10 bills for those times I get stuck at a train station with "just an exchange bureau available" and only need a little extra local currency before I leave a country. PLUS is the system used by most Hawaii Banks. Territorial and First Hawaiian are the only two Hawaii Banks that use the CIRRUS system needed most places on the Continent. We found Debit Cards used as Credit Cards and our regular Credit Cards of either system worked fine both on the Continent and the UK for purchases. Mele 27 June 99
Mele there is something sinister about Visa - it can't find a single ATM in Copenhagen, even though all other Danish cities have them. MasterCard has scads of locations in Copenhagen. Hard to believe Copenhagen dosen't take Visa......Jim Swensen 23 Mar . 99. Jim, I'm not surprised about your NOT FINDING a Plus system ATM in Copenhagen. (You probably can use Visa CC for purchases.) My experience has been that PLUS system works PRIMARILY in the UK and CIRRUS works PRIMARILY on the Continent for ATM withdrawals of your own money sitting in your home bank account. ( hopefully this will change with the arrival of the EURO CURRENCY). Credit Cards of both types work for purchases almost EVERYWHERE. Mele Fujiwara
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