Getting Money

[Del Falkowsky]

I am leaving for Portugal in one week and I am wondering if anyone has used Canadian debit cards and if they had problems like finding a machine that takes the card. I am also taking a credit card but it would be easier to use a debit if possible.

 

[Kanga]

I can't help with specific Canada specific information but we have no trouble with Australian debit cards. I take a travel money card preloaded with Euros because that way I can lock in the exchange rate, but I've also used an ordinary debit card linked to my bank account. The only time I had a problem was when I had a 6 digit pin - the Spanish machines only take a 4 digit number. It was fine once I went online and changed it.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I am leaving for Portugal in one week and I am wondering if anyone has used Canadian debit cards and if they had problems like finding a machine that takes the card. I am also taking a credit card but it would be easier to use a debit if possible.

You'll be fine... In general. In a few occasions an ATM will not accept my card, I just move on to,the next one. Has happened in Santiago and a few other places, so don't leave it to,your last Euro before getting more cash out.

 

[Kip]

A tip--

I am leaving for Portugal in one week and I am wondering if anyone has used Canadian debit cards and if they had problems like finding a machine that takes the card. I am also taking a credit card but it would be easier to use a debit if possible.

A tip-- I walked only from Porto onwards. Very rural areas and not many ATM's along the way, so make sure you have enough euros for several days between the larger cities.

 

[Monique S.]

..... wondering if anyone has used Canadian debit cards and if they had problems like finding a machine that takes the card. I am also taking a credit card but it would be easier to use a debit if possible.

Should be fine - be sure you have a 4 digit pin and be sure your pin does not start with a 'zero'. Check with your bank regarding charges ... RBC charges me $5 each time I use the debit card overseas. Needless to say, I carry it only for emergencies ..... !

If you have access to secure wifi while overseas, a trick I used in 2012 was to transfer funds online from my regular account to my credit card (same institution) and then went into a bank in Portugal and took a cash advance. No charges and no interest on the cash advance because the card was in a credit balance.

 

[movinmaggie]

I can't help with specific Canada specific information but we have no trouble with Australian debit cards. I take a travel money card preloaded with Euros because that way I can lock in the exchange rate, but I've also used an ordinary debit card linked to my bank account. The only time I had a problem was when I had a 6 digit pin - the Spanish machines only take a 4 digit number. It was fine once I went online and changed it.

Kanga how do you go about getting a travel money card already loaded with Euros? I just picked up some Euros that I had ordered from my (Canadian), but the travel card sounds useful, especially for the exchange rate….thanks.

 

[Kanga]

Hi Maggie, our banks offer travel money cards. I'd assume your own bank would have a link to one. I just did a search and found this which might be useful!
http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/air/travelling-money

 

[Tammi Murray]

TravelEx offers a card that you can load Euros onto.

 

[movinmaggie]

Hi Maggie, our banks offer travel money cards. I'd assume your own bank would have a link to one. I just did a search and found this which might be useful!
http://travel.gc.ca/travelling/air/travelling-money

Hi Kanga, just pulled this up and have save the info in a doc. Will take it with me to my bank. Even though I'll be travelling with some Euros, great to have something like this. Thanks so much.

 

[movinmaggie]

Should be fine - be sure you have a 4 digit pin and be sure your pin does not start with a 'zero'. Check with your bank regarding charges ... RBC charges me $5 each time I use the debit card overseas. Needless to say, I carry it only for emergencies ..... !

If you have access to secure wifi while overseas, a trick I used in 2012 was to transfer funds online from my regular account to my credit card (same institution) and then went into a bank in Portugal and took a cash advance. No charges and no interest on the cash advance because the card was in a credit balance.

Monique that sounds like a good idea. I guess I could also put funds into my credit card before I leave…..thanks.