ATM's

[QUOTE=AllIWantisLove]That foreign currency transaction fee has pissed me off for a long time. I will be looking into the ETrade and PNC cards.

I noticed this on another board. I haven't looked into it yet but if it is what I hope it is I can't wait to participate.

[url]http://www.ccfsettlement.com/[/url]

Bob[/QUOTE]It's another one of those class-actions suits where the lawyers get 50 million and each member of the suit gets 50 cents. I got the settlement check for one of these last year and the check was literally for $0.02. I already got the paperwork on this one and tossed it in the trash.

[QUOTE=Easy Go]It's another one of those class-actions suits where the lawyers get 50 million and each member of the suit gets 50 cents. I got the settlement check for one of these last year and the check was literally for $0.02. I already got the paperwork on this one and tossed it in the trash.[/QUOTE]According to the stipulation of settlement in that case, the attorney fees are 27.5% of the settlement total. I think that's absolutely fair. Yes, it sucks that each individual plaintiff doesn't get a big check, but that's because the actual loss sustained by each plaintiff was so small itself. So don't blame the lawyers for earning a fair contingent fee - if the case had been lost they would have earned zero.

[url]http://www.ccfsettlement.com/documents/mdl_1409_settlement_agreement_1384141.pdf[/url]

I know I posted this somewhere on this site.

Citibank does NOT charge fees to its Citibank ATMs Master Card customers.

I just checked my statement online and their are no charges.

My buddy has Wells Fargo and has NO fees on his VISA card.

[QUOTE=Hunt99]I understand that a number of institutions, including PNC Bank and ETrade, do not charge any fee whatsoever for ATM withdrawals.[/QUOTE]Etrade does not charge a fee for using ATM's in BA but their card uses the Visa Plus network only so that could be a problem from what others have posted.

Or will it only be a problem with Visa Plus at Banelco's.

This is why I have several ATM cards from different companies drawing on different accounts.

Suerte.

Stowe

I believe the ATM card from my credit union has always charged 1% foreign exchange fee plus $1.00 fee for using ATM other than their own. But the 1% exchange fee was never shown as a separate item until about a year ago when a law was passed that the bank statement must show the fee separately. Same thing happened to my credit cards.

On my last trip two weeks ago, the charges were $96.95 for 300 pesos at the exchange rate [b]3.09[/b]. Adding the 1% foreign exchange fee of $0.97 becomes $97.92 for 300 pesos, which makes the final exchange rate to be [b]3.06[/b]. How does [b]3.06[/b] exchange rate compares to others who claim their cards to have no foreign exchange fee?

[QUOTE=Sportsman]I believe the ATM card from my credit union has always charged 1% foreign exchange fee plus $1.00 fee for using ATM other than their own. But the 1% exchange fee was never shown as a separate item until about a year ago when a law was passed that the bank statement must show the fee separately. Same thing happened to my credit cards.

On my last trip two weeks ago, the charges were $96.95 for 300 pesos at the exchange rate [b]3.09[/b]. Adding the 1% foreign exchange fee of $0.97 becomes $97.92 for 300 pesos, which makes the final exchange rate to be [b]3.06[/b]. How does [b]3.06[/b] exchange rate compares to others who claim their cards to have no foreign exchange fee?[/QUOTE]Sportsman,

During your last visit, I made 2 withdrawals: 3.096 and 3.102. This was the total transaction cost, supposedly including the same 1% fee you reference above - this is also using a credit union issued card. With these very favorable exchange rates, I think I'm actually only being charged .5% for the transaction fee.

Hope this helps,

Alan

Someone told me that ATMs outside of the US only take 4 digits.

When I was in Bs As last November my debit card with 6 digits did not work, and I never understood why. My backup card that has 4 digits worked fine, but it made me a little nervous that I had to use my ace in the hole.

Will be back in town late April early May.

Anyone know if this 4 digit rule is true?

Thanks

Tip: Always bring cash. You never know if your wallet is going to be stolen, your cards fail to work, or if the ATM workers go on strike. I wouldn't bring everything in cash, but perhaps half, including all my intended money to be spent on chicas.

6 digit ATM pin does not work in many other countries also.

But - did you try entering just the first four digits of the 6 digit PIN? That works some of the times.

I have a 5 digit ATM from Wells Fargo Bank and it has always worked for me in South America, but I have to go to the right banks (usually American) with the Plus sign. On this trip I've been going to the Citibank on Florida across from the Galleria mall, BUT the Banelco is the one that words for me, right next store.

I can only get 300 pesos at one time, but unlimited times. So go figure.

I found this link on the web that basically says to use 4 digits.

[url]http://wikitravel.org/en/Money[/url]

Has anyone had trouble cashing $50 dollar bills? I wouldnt dream of bringing $100's. I'm asking because someplace like el salvador will not accept demoninations higher than $20. Two different countries I know but both a little screwy when it comes to money.

Also last time I remember having to bring my passport to exchange cash. Is this still the norm or just at banks?

I've paid chicas with 50s and even 100s and they have never objected.

Bob

What about banks or exchange houses?

Not sure why you are afraid of bringing in $100 bills but banks and exchanges will accept $100 bills and $50 bills.

Suerte.

Stowe