ATM machines which don't charge in the US and Canada

xmbs

First post here.....


I'm going to the US and Canada in a couple of weeks, I'm planning on taking Nationwide debit & gold cards, with absolute minimum cash (maybe £100 each of USD and CAD as well as my Lloyds credit card if all else fails)and was planning on getting any additional cash needed through ATMs with the debit card, reading around though it seems a lot of the US atm machines charge fees (no idea about Canada) so what I'm wondering is there any way of finding out before I go which banks will not charge a fee and which will because the information does not seem to readily come up on a google search.

cubegame

To be honest it seems random. Bank Of America was said to be free for Nationwide customers but I found that some charged and some didn't. Same with Wells Fargo.

I had some success with more local rather than federal banks.

moonrakerz

cubegame wrote: »

To be honest it seems random. Bank Of America was said to be free for Nationwide customers but I found that some charged and some didn't. Same with Wells Fargo.

I found exactly the same !

It may be worth trying the large supermarket chains that have their own machines. I found all Publix machines to be free.

xmbs

So what are the typical charges when they are made, and are they fixed or a percentage? ..... hmmm... may have to change my plans and change more cash here which would be irritating.

ferf1223

it depends on where you are going, but most places will be $1, $1.50, $2...assuming you mean a debit card withdrawal...CC cash advances are subject to a fee that's a percentage of the withdrawal I think. I've never tried with a CC (it's madness to me, unless an emergency) but the signs on them seem to state that the fee is a % of the transaction (plus a fee).

Vegas casinos are one exception where they are usually around the $4.99 mark though you can find lower.

In general we use those at supermarkets as was suggested as the rate of free machines seems to be higher there. Places like hotel lobbies (where they have them) will probably be more because they're a convenience for their guests and all that.

dmg24

xmbs wrote: »

So what are the typical charges when they are made, and are they fixed or a percentage? ..... hmmm... may have to change my plans and change more cash here which would be irritating.

There is not really a typical fee, it depends on your bank and the bank who owns the ATM.

If you take Barclays as an example, you will be charged a 2.75% conversion charge irrespective of which machine you use. This is not shown as a separate amount, it is in the converted amount. If you use Bank of America ATM's (there are plenty about), you will not be charged any extra. If you use other ATM's, you will be charged another 2% plus anything the ATM bank chooses to charge you (usually a flat amount, say $2).

I use my card for larger payments, and withdraw cash ($150 at a time) for smaller amounts. The rate you will get through your bank is much better than from an exchange, so it should still be the best way to do it.

(Crossposted with ferf1223!)

xmbs

Thanks for the replies, I think I'll stick with the original plan then given that the charges imposed by Nationwide are minimal (1%), just annoying that it looks like I'll have to go on a search to find non charging machines which may be awkward given I'll be in a lot of rural areas (Idaho, Wyoming Montana plus Alberta & British Columbia), you'd think there would be some kind of list somewhere......


Also just to confirm I'm assuming that any machines that do charge will notify you of that up front?

vic_sf49

My method to avoid ATM fees is to get cash back from supermarkets / pharmacies / clothes shops etc.

Don't know the T&Cs on your cards, but worth checking it out.

Murphy_The_Cat

xmbs wrote: »

just annoying that it looks like I'll have to go on a search to find non charging machines which may be awkward given I'll be in a lot of rural areas (Idaho, Wyoming Montana plus Alberta & British Columbia), you'd think there would be some kind of list somewhere......

Why bother.
You're already using a low chrging card, so what are you going to save (say £20) compared to the time that you're going to waste trawling about looking for an ATM that is going to save you a few cents.

dzug1

xmbs wrote: »

Also just to confirm I'm assuming that any machines that do charge will notify you of that up front?

Probably - but I've encountered machines that have said they would charge and in the end haven't. So you can't 100% rely on what they say

sueeve

You can check with your card provider that your cards are accepted in N America, and at which banks,as there are difficulties with some cards. I visit Canada regularly and I can't use my Lloyds debit card (Visa) at one of the largest and most widespread banks. So I make sure that I have an alternative card with me. It does seem to be a bit hit and miss at times. I've never had a problem with any card paying in store, it's just getting actual cash out.