Schwab account questions

J Willhaus · Sep 22, 2023

This is for those of you who use a Schwab debit account on the Camino. Here at home in the US, I can use my debit card from a non-Schwab bank as I would a credit card for purchases like groceries, gas, dining out, etc. and not just for accessing cash at an ATM. If I use it for Hotels, they put a significant deposit hold on my debit card which is reversed later, but still counts against my balance until the reversal several days later.

In Spain did you use your Schwab card for things like meals or did you use a regular credit card for that? I am taking a group of 10 University students on the Camino and the University recommends I get a Schwab account for the cash advance I will request. That way I am not carrying around 1,000's of euros in cash and it isn't mixed up with my own money or account. Can I use the Schwab card in Spain like a credit card or only to withdraw cash from an ATM? Did you use it for lodging and if so was a deposit held against the account balance?

Edit: I know I will need cash for some of our lodging and incidentals, but don't want to carry too much at one time.

Camino Chrissy · Sep 22, 2023

My Schwab card is a debit card and I only use it for ATM pulls when traveling outside the US for the conversion fee reimbursement it offers (although more banks are now offering a similar benefit). I use a particular credit card for everything else as I like the points it accrues.

trecile · Sep 22, 2023

The Schwab debt card is a Visa branded card and can be used for purchases just like your other bank debit card.

Investor Checking Debit Card Page

Schwab Bank Visa® Platinum Debit Card offers contactless technology and debit card security. Open a checking account and use the Visa Platinum Debit Card.

www.schwab.com

Vacajoe · Sep 22, 2023

I use it sometimes for our purchases, but prefer accruing points and the travel protections on my CC. My daughter uses it several times a day in the UK as a credit card and has had zero problems in the past 2 years.

J Willhaus · Sep 22, 2023

Yes, I also like the points when I am traveling for myself or just with Phil and I do have plenty of credit on my personal cards. I am just considering how slow or how fast I might get reimbursed when I return. I pay off my balances every month so I don't have to pay interest. I'm not sure I want a credit card bill for 12 people's trip to the Camino hanging over my head while I am waiting for the university to pay me back...Anyway, that's why I am considering the Schwab thing as it was suggested by other Study Abroad experienced faculty. I want to be sure I could charge a meal with this card, etc. for 12 people in Spain. I think we will be able to buy train/bus tickets in advance using the university's cards before we leave home.

trecile · Sep 22, 2023

J Willhaus said:
I want to be sure I could charge a meal with this card, etc. for 12 people in Spain.

You can use it anyplace that accepts Visa.

Former member 94614 · Sep 22, 2023

i used the shwab card across the boards in spain last year with no problems- banks, lodging, restaurants, grocery stores....

J Willhaus · Sep 22, 2023

peregrin peregrina said:
i used the shwab card across the boards in spain last year with no problems- banks, lodging, restaurants, grocery stores....

Do you remember if at lodging they put a deposit hold on your card for a few days?

AnneO · Sep 23, 2023

I used my Schwab all along the Camino for purchases and paying for lodging as well as ATM withdrawals. There was never a hold put on the card. Not to say it couldn’t happen I suppose, as I think it would be merchant-specific, but it never happened to me.

José F. · Sep 23, 2023

J Willhaus said:
This is for those of you who use a Schwab debit account on the Camino. Here at home in the US, I can use my debit card from a non-Schwab bank as I would a credit card for purchases like groceries, gas, dining out, etc. and not just for accessing cash at an ATM. If I use it for Hotels, they put a significant deposit hold on my debit card which is reversed later, but still counts against my balance until the reversal several days later.

In Spain did you use your Schwab card for things like meals or did you use a regular credit card for that? I am taking a group of 10 University students on the Camino and the University recommends I get a Schwab account for the cash advance I will request. That way I am not carrying around 1,000's of euros in cash and it isn't mixed up with my own money or account. Can I use the Schwab card in Spain like a credit card or only to withdraw cash from an ATM? Did you use it for lodging and if so was a deposit held against the account balance?

Edit: I know I will need cash for some of our lodging and incidentals, but don't want to carry too much at one time.

I use my Schwab card in Spain in both debit and credit functions and ATM withdrawals check the daily withdrawal limit with Schwab first). I never had an issue in the multiple times that I have used it throughout the years. In addition, Schwab waived ATM and currency exchange fees.

Steven Dwyer · Sep 23, 2023

The Schwab is a debit card so any holds that are placed by hotels will take a few days to clear.

Former member 94614 · Sep 23, 2023

J Willhaus said:
Do you remember if at lodging they put a deposit hold on your card for a few days?

no, i never had a deposit hold but i didnt use it to book ahead very much. the few times i booked a big hotel like in leon, they just took the info but when i arrived i could use any payment method. as i recall, the hotel in SDC was the same.

SuzannWill · Sep 23, 2023

Contact Schwab to confirm that you can access and approve transactions on your card while in Spain.

Molly Cassidy · Sep 23, 2023

J Willhaus said:
Do you remember if at lodging they put a deposit hold on your card for a few days?

I think this really depends on the accommodation policy and not the card you use. When I've stayed at hotels in the UK this has been quite common but I don't think I've ever had it in Spain. Of course, it may depend on the class of accommodation you use and whether you pay your bill in advance.

My understanding in some places is that the hold on the account is to cover any potential bill for food and drink you might run up and add to your account, so that it is easy for the hotel to take the money should you leave without paying.

Rita Flower · Sep 23, 2023

I’ve never had a ‘hold’ on a card on Camino or anywhere in Europe. I imagine you would book ahead any major hotel accommodation and you would need to give card details at time of booking. This is all they need if your accidentally skip your bill - which I did once in Latvia

. You will find the amount owed deducted from your card on your next bill.

Thyme_Is_Running_Out · Sep 24, 2023

J Willhaus said:
This is for those of you who use a Schwab debit account on the Camino. Here at home in the US, I can use my debit card from a non-Schwab bank as I would a credit card for purchases like groceries, gas, dining out, etc. and not just for accessing cash at an ATM. If I use it for Hotels, they put a significant deposit hold on my debit card which is reversed later, but still counts against my balance until the reversal several days later.

In Spain did you use your Schwab card for things like meals or did you use a regular credit card for that? I am taking a group of 10 University students on the Camino and the University recommends I get a Schwab account for the cash advance I will request. That way I am not carrying around 1,000's of euros in cash and it isn't mixed up with my own money or account. Can I use the Schwab card in Spain like a credit card or only to withdraw cash from an ATM? Did you use it for lodging and if so was a deposit held against the account balance?

Edit: I know I will need cash for some of our lodging and incidentals, but don't want to carry too much at one time.

I used my Schwab card for as much as I could in Spain. The ATMs don’t have logos on them, so I never knew which machines were fee-free.

bschuschke · Sep 24, 2023

J Willhaus said:
Do you remember if at lodging they put a deposit hold on your card for a few days?

call Schwab and ask if they ever put a hold on the card. I've used my to pay for everything never had a hold but to get clear answer call them

mikelynch22 · Sep 25, 2023

J Willhaus said:
This is for those of you who use a Schwab debit account on the Camino. Here at home in the US, I can use my debit card from a non-Schwab bank as I would a credit card for purchases like groceries, gas, dining out, etc. and not just for accessing cash at an ATM. If I use it for Hotels, they put a significant deposit hold on my debit card which is reversed later, but still counts against my balance until the reversal several days later.

In Spain did you use your Schwab card for things like meals or did you use a regular credit card for that? I am taking a group of 10 University students on the Camino and the University recommends I get a Schwab account for the cash advance I will request. That way I am not carrying around 1,000's of euros in cash and it isn't mixed up with my own money or account. Can I use the Schwab card in Spain like a credit card or only to withdraw cash from an ATM? Did you use it for lodging and if so was a deposit held against the account balance?

Edit: I know I will need cash for some of our lodging and incidentals, but don't want to carry too much at one time.

I used my Schwab card exclusively for atm withdrawals throughout my Camino. It worked everywhere. We had prebooked hotels via Camino Ways so I am not sure about holds. Additionally, Schwab reimbursed all atm fees. Buen Camino

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Schwab account questions

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