Holiday Money

[crisper]

Can you use a regular Chip & Pin Debit Card in a hole in the wall machine, when you go on holiday in Europe?

[chazza]

I have used them in Portugal and had no problem. I know it's not Europe, but I also used it in USA successfully, although you may have to pay a charge for using the machine (I paid about �1 in USA)

[Loosehead]

Yes, I have used them in Spain, France and Ireland, there is a charge though. But you do usually seem to get a better conversion rate.

[dzug]

Yes.

Unless you use a convenience store/petrol station type of machine, any charges will be those levied by your own bank. Typically 2.75% exchange fee and 1.5% 'cash advance' fee, despite it being your own money. Usually still cheaper than changing cash though - even on a 'commission-free' deal you lose typically 5% on the exchange rate with cash.

Best bet is a Nationwide flex account - they charge no fees and don't load the exchange rate.

[Buenchico]

Dzug is spot on as usual.

You'll have no problem using a debit card at any European 'bancomat'.

The Nationwide FlexAccount card is widely recommended (both here on AB and in the travel press) for not charging for overseas cash withdrawals but it's not the only card with this benefit. I've often used my Abbey debit account in France and Belgium. The exchange rate has always been at least as good as any bureau de change and I've never been charged any fees for the transactions.

Chris

[sickmoth]

Some excellent answers here, if you have a Nationwide Flexaccount debit card with the VISA symbol you can use it anywhere in the world, not just Europe, free of charge to get both local currency and to make purchases. You can also use their credit card anywhere in the world to make purchaes free of charge.

I have used both and highly recommend them.