davyrowland

Hi Folks

Im heading back to the UK for Christmas, and wonder whether my Wachovia Debit Card will work.

I havnt been back to the UK for a while, though have been to Germany and Hungary, and seem to remember it working.

It has Interlink, Plus and NYCE logo;s on the back, and is also a suedo Visa card.

Anyone have any idea;s about how to get cash in the UK from their US bank accounts?

Cheers, Davy

Norri

Just stick the card into an ATM

Check with Wachovia what fees they will charge you!

davyrowland

Thanks, I just checked... this is Wachovia specific, but the fee is 2%


Can I use my Check Card in foreign countries?
You can use your Check Card to make purchases at millions of locations all over the world. You can also withdraw money worldwide at over 890,000 Visa/Plus® ATMs. Money will be dispensed in local currency. An International Service Assessment (ISA) fee of 2% will be applied to each international transaction. To learn more about currency conversion or to use Visa's exchange rate calculator, please visit Visa's currency exchange Web site†.

DeanUK2US

If you card is a 'Visa Debit' card then it will be valid wherever takes Visa cards. 'Visa' is the clearing company.

What I've done is to have a USD account in addition to my UK one, so all I have to worry about is timing exchange rates appropriately.

englishinfl

hey Davy,

Just be observant on the international transaction fee on credit card /debit card transactions.
I had it happen a on a couple of transactions last time we were home, but not on others. I didn't know about it it til we got the statement, and and when I questioned it with Wachovia as to why it was there on some and not others, or why there should be anything at all when it's backed by Visa, they actually credited the fees back to my account. Got to complain if you want anything now.

Have a good time when you're there for Christmas, I know I'm going to.

NC Penguin

... and just in case no-one's mentioned it yet, if you plan on using a US issued debit or credit card, call the issuer(s) before you leave for the UK to advise them that the cards will be used in the UK. Card issuers appreciate that and it won't mean any embarrassing situations for you (like not declined a transaction or something similar).

Bluegrass Lass

And if you're not aware, UK credit cards are slightly different now and require a PIN to be entered (or something like that). We always had to tell the cashier that it was a foreign c.c. and could not be run through in their normal fashion.

DeanUK2US

I don't think it's required, just that in the UK it is the preferred method of verification.

coopa_troopa

If you want to carry cash, have you thought of changing your dollars to pounds before you go? My hubby had to dash back home recently and he used the foreign exchange bureau at the airport.

Jerseygirl

Marks and Spencer will change your money...no fees and quite a good exchange rate. To exchange money at the airport is usually costly.

Millicent_ByStander

Yeah, I got caught like this paying for stuff in Tesco back home recently. I was using my Citibank Credit Card, they couldn't process it via the cash register because it wasn't "Chip and Pin". So I was escorted off to the Customer Service desk where they processed it manually using a handwritten receipt and one of those old-fashioned slidey machines!
I only had this problem in Tesco though - M&S, Boots, Borders, WH Smith etc were all fine...

coopa_troopa

Good to know

Any idea how to find out what rate they offer?

md95065

Foreign exchange bureaus at airports (both in the US and elsewhere) tend to have the worst rates.

If you want foreign currency you should be able to order it from your US bank at a reasonable exchange rate - typically takes 3 or 4 days to get it.

englishinfl

They'll both vary daily depending on the market exchange rates at the time. It's more about how much they charge percentage wise.

Have a good trip

Jerseygirl

The rates change but here is a link to their website. It states it's commission free...if you take a look around the site you'll see the current exchange rates.

http://www6.marksandspencer.com/page...rim&Product=TR