HarryTheSpider

I don't recall ever getting a PIN for my US credit cards.

Can I use them to get cash from a bank - just go to the human teller?

I have cards with HSBC and Capital One.

Michael

I'm not sure about all credit cars but I use my Discover Card to get cash whenever I shop at Safeway. The option is available either at the regular or self checkout stands. However when I used my HSBC card, there isn't such an option. Discover card doesn't charge for the service and just shows up on the statement as a "cash over" in the normal credit card charges and not a cash withdrawal.

Sally Redux

I think we did get a PIN although I've forgotten the number, you could ask them to give you one.

Bluegrass Lass

I've had a PIN for a number of credit cards in the past. You may just need to request one, as Sally said.

Anian

Cash withdrawals from a credit card usually cost you extra interest from the second you get it from the ATM, so it is generally not a good idea. An ATM will always ask for a PIN for taking money out, credit or debit, as opposed to buying stuff from a shop that requires only a signature for most credit cards.

Bink

Also, there is probably a cash withdrawl limit on the card too that is much lower than the actual credit limit. This isn't always the case, but normally is.

Bob

Yeah, it's a shit idea using a credit card to do cash withdrawals or cash backs...the interest is often massively higher too.

RICH

I've never tried it, but just had a look on the back of my BofA statement, and OTC cash advance is an option (as is ATM advance, but I also never had a PIN). I guess any bank will do, but as others say, expensive. Interest is higher than purchases, cash available is about a third of the total credit limit, and no doubt a "different bank" fee will be involved. Are there HSBC branches? I know there are no Capital Ones

Bink

There are capital one branches in Houston.

RICH

OOPs yes, ignore that point. I was thinking they were online only. I may be confusing them with some other bank.

tonrob

I was surprised to read the Discover Card example as I'd thought that obtaining any cash with a credit card would be a cash advance, and that supermarkets etc. don't offer cash-back for credit card transactions.

I Googled, trying to find the "gotcha" - and found this about the Discover card's "Cash Over" - which looks like it's ok as long as you pay your credit card bill in full each month, but if you don't then, reading between the lines, your payments go towards purchases first and then "Cash Overs" second - maybe with Cash Overs at a higher interest rate?

I'm always interested in ways to pull cash off credit cards without cash advance fees - as this is the holy grail when it comes to earning airline miles.

Michael

I always pay my discover card bill in full so I don't know what happens if it isn't paid in full but if it is paid in full, there isn't any interest charges. I like it since I don't have to go to my bank ATM and just usually get cash back when I get groceries and that is enough cash to carry me until the next time I get groceries. Normally it indicates $10, $20, $40, $60 and other but I don't know if "other" allows for even more. Even purchasing a $1 item gives those options.

You also don't get points for "Cash Over".

Poppy girl

Yep done it years ago, just take ID and hey presto.