Banca March in Tenerife

NoodleDoodleMan

I used my recently acquired Chase debit card in the local Banca March ATM in Costa Adeje last week - worked out well.

No fees taken by BM - with the Without Conversion option the best deal.

From time to time the subject of ATM fees in Spain and the Canaries comes up on this forum - so I can confirm what was already believed to be the case - Banca March with a "user friendly" debit card like Chase or Starling is a top choice.

Neil49

We were in Costa Adeje last month and went to draw out cash at Caixa bank. 

They wanted to charge €8 for a Without Conversion withdrawal. Needless to say I cancelled the transaction and we made do using cards. 

NoodleDoodleMan

I withdrew 40 Euro (to test the rates) from the Banca March next to the hotel - the screen flagged up £39.91 With Conversion - so naturally I declined and went Without Conversion - £35.55 was soon after debited to the account.

That really drives home the benefit of selecting the latter option.

bagand96

I think Banca March must now be the only major Spanish bank to allow withdrawals without a fee.  (I say major, they're mainly Canaries and Balearics).  Long may it continue, all the others have cottoned on to the fact there's plenty of €€€ to be made out of tourists withdrawing.

NoodleDoodleMan

Deutsche Bank is also mentioned in reports as still  ATM fee free - however I can't comment one way or the other, not having had any opportunity to use one.

I still go with my Santander debit card for Santander branded holes in the wall in Spain, Balearics and Canaries - but Banca March is a welcomed alternative.

The question is, as you allude to, how long before they go the way of the other banks in charging a fee ?

I have to say I was very impressed with the way my Chase card worked - and their cutomer service support by messaging was quick and helpful.

Doshwaster

Yes, Banca March is my go-to bank in Spain, especially in the Canaries where they are most common. From recent experience Unicaja is also free. Always amazes me to see how many people use the expensive ATMs, especially the Euronet ones

NoodleDoodleMan

Santander are about the most costly to use unless you have their debit card.

6  Euro per transaction - also saw one report that it was 8 Euro on the mainland somewhere.

Agreed on the Euronet ATMS - maybe it's just their abundant presence that persuades many punters to use them ?

huw01

When I'm in Spain as I have a Santander Current Account I use it in their ATM's fee free. I have Chase and Starling for debit card transactions fee free but for cash I stick to Santander ATMs using my current account card. 

NoodleDoodleMan

Ditto.

Of course, Starling and Chase don't avoid ATM usage charges if the machine owning bank is "user unfriendly" - unlike Banca March and the very few others of the same ilk being mentioned.

A so called debit card from hell (as listed on Martin's website) coupled with an "unfriendly" ATM is a double whammy hit.

In this worst case scenario Santander (bizarrely) is one of the worst cards to use, coupled with a Euronet machine......... probably ?

bigfer

Confirmed that Banca March did not charge me anything when I used my Halifax clarity credit card in Costa adeje

Yawn

Avoid the ATMs at Tenerife Sur airport at all cost. They are a total scam. I find it worth it to have some euros on me just in case.