Using ATM/CC abroad.

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cyberarmy

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Hi guys, I am flying to Hongkong and China for my holiday tomorrow, just want to know do I have to call my bank and arrange so they won't block my ATM card if I want to withdraw cash at a foreign ATM?

I have got a FNB Silver Debit card and a ABSA normal ATM card, both are Visa Electron (Should be accepted when they display VISA logo on POS/ATM?).

I have got a FNB Gold Credit Card (Visa) and a Virgin Money CC (Master). Is it better to use CC to withdraw cash (I heard something about better exchange rate than ATM card? But you pay for interest from day one?).

Please advise if you have any experience. Thanks!!
 
I cannot talk for Debit cards as my Std Bank ones never worked overseas, but Mastercard requires you to tell them the dates and countries you'll be visiting. And if you are going east or west, take the time zone into consideration ie if you're going to Australia your international usage of your card is only active at 08:00 SA time not Australia time. I learned the hard way and couldnt pay for my hire car at the airport until SA had opened for business. Nowadays I just say I will be using it one day earlier and one day later than the actual trip. Mastercard do ...in most cases...block the card if you dont let them know. Best not left to chance.
For me its the easiest way to get cash overseas....cant take farting around with travellors checks and travellors cards.
 
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As far as I know there's no need to inform the bank before the time. Visa/MC/Cirrus are international.
 
Good thing I asked, will drop by the ABSA and FNB tomorrow and find out.

Thanks!
 
ZA.Schmidt said:
As far as I know there's no need to inform the bank before the time. Visa/MC/Cirrus are international.
Click to expand...

I've been caught with the automated fraud monitoring blocking the card after the first transaction in a different country - they cant get hold of you to confirm that you still have the card etc. and it then needs you to call them.
I let them know and they then put a marker on the card to avoid auto blocking.

The Visa Credit cards and Maestro debit cards work in most ATM's, and some suppliers also deal in the Maestro debit cards .
 
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cyberarmy said:
Hi guys, I am flying to Hongkong and China for my holiday tomorrow, just want to know do I have to call my bank and arrange so they won't block my ATM card if I want to withdraw cash at a foreign ATM?

I have got a FNB Silver Debit card and a ABSA normal ATM card, both are Visa Electron (Should be accepted when they display VISA logo on POS/ATM?).

I have got a FNB Gold Credit Card (Visa) and a Virgin Money CC (Master). Is it better to use CC to withdraw cash (I heard something about better exchange rate than ATM card? But you pay for interest from day one?).

Please advise if you have any experience. Thanks!!
Click to expand...

I use debit and credit and both work fine, same charges. It's a no-brainer but depends on the country. Visa rules in Africa, Mastercard is OK elsewhere.
 
I used my debit card (Visa) at an ATM in Vienna without problems. Shops however had issues accepting Visa so my MasterCard CC from Nedbank did the job. Dubai takes everything under the sun, even paid for a camera in cash with ZAR :eek:
 
Hi

Sorry to necro this thread.. I'm heading to Thailand next month and was wondering if I will have problems using my FNB cheque card, credit card or my standard bank mastercard? Do I need to let my bank know?

Also, do you recommend buying traveller's cheques as well.. or can I just get by with using my CC and Cheque cards at ATMs
 
Take care if you go to China mainland, it's hard to find POS and ATMs working with Visa/Mastercard.

As far as I remember I was able to withdraw only at ICBC, Agricultural Bank and some CCB ATMs, all the other ones weren't working.
 
KingBel said:
Hi

Sorry to necro this thread.. I'm heading to Thailand next month and was wondering if I will have problems using my FNB cheque card, credit card or my standard bank mastercard? Do I need to let my bank know?

Also, do you recommend buying traveller's cheques as well.. or can I just get by with using my CC and Cheque cards at ATMs
Click to expand...

Yes always phone them even if they do sometimes work. Some backup money is always a good idea as well.
 
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