ATM's

[neilcon]

Are ATM's plentiful in Playa Blanca and do they accept most major cards? I have a Nationwide card.

Thanks

[RobertK]

Yes, plenty of them.

[Jacksback]

We found the ATM at Punta Limones was much better than the one in the town centre by the church,, it cost £10 more in the one by the church for the same amount so check your statement to see what you're getting..

[RobertK]

Originally Posted by Jacksback

We found the ATM at Punta Limones was much better than the one in the town centre by the church,, it cost £10 more in the one by the church for the same amount so check your statement to see what you're getting..

One of the first things you will be asked by an ATM is this "Press yes for GBP, no for EUR"., always choose no. This means that your own bank will do the conversion, which is usually a pretty good rate. If you let the ATM do the conversion you will be charged more.

[Jacksback]

Originally Posted by RobertK

One of the first things you will be asked by an ATM is this "Press yes for GBP, no for EUR"., always choose no. This means that your own bank will do the conversion, which is usually a pretty good rate. If you let the ATM do the conversion you will be charged more.

Yes we've used our nationwide card a few times and always get euros,, 300 each time and it cost £246 in the one in the town and £237 in Punta Limones...

[RobertK]

Originally Posted by Jacksback

Yes we've used our nationwide card a few times and always get euros,, 300 each time and it cost £246 in the one in the town and £237 in Punta Limones...

It should be roughly the same if you say no to being charged in GBP. Do you get a receipt from the ATM saying how much in GBP it costs.

[Jacksback]

No,, no receipt,, just what was shown on the screen and its hard to see in that sun :) My Mum was texting me what came out of the bank each time so we didn't use that one again :)

Here's a copy.. all 300 euros

01 Aug 2008 Visa Cash Withdrawal £236.28 £1366.64
04 Aug 2008 Visa Cash Withdrawal £246.39 £1120.25
06 Aug 2008 Visa Cash Withdrawal £237.71 £882.54
07 Aug 2008 Visa Cash Withdrawal £237.62 £644.92
09 Aug 2008 Visa Cash Withdrawal £235.19 £409.73
11 Aug 2008 Visa Cash Withdrawal £235.19 £174.54

[RobertK]

OK, did it tell you on the screen how much it would cost in GBP?

[Jacksback]

Yeah probably,, but wasnt takin that much notice :) and as you can see it was only the second transaction and just expected it to cost the same as the first one!

[RobertK]

If the ATM tells you what it cost you in GBP then it has done the conversion. It can be confusing and I've done it myself but you need to say no to the question.

If you've done it right you will not find out what you got charged until you check your account online or get your bank statement.

[Jacksback]

Yes it would have done the conversion,, we didn't draw anything out in sterling as we would have then had to change it! Was just letting the OP know that different banks have different rates or charges..

[RobertK]

Originally Posted by Jacksback

Yes it would have done the conversion,, we didn't draw anything out in sterling as we would have then had to change it! Was just letting the OP know that different banks have different rates or charges..

You can't draw Sterling, they only give Euros. If you say no then you will get the VISA rate, which can be checked here. http://corporate.visa.com/pd/consume...o=EUR&rate=0.0

If you let them do the conversion you will get their rate, which is never as good as the VISA rate. That's why there was such a difference. I've used both those ATMs too but always getthe VISA rate.

It can be confusing but you just have to remember to say NO when you're asked.

[Jacksback]

Ah right!! Maybe that was it then,, still won't be using that bank again lol Thanks for that link,, I'll keep an eye on that..

[willow]

If you've got a Nationwide or Post Office card then ALWAYS choose Euros rather than the £'s rate offered by the machine because these two banks charge no commission % so the rate is always a lot better.

In addition (I'm not entirely sure this is true) it does seem that if you use a cash machine at an actual bank it's cheaper. I've got the impresion that the cash machines at shops etc (often branded Telebanco?) charge a 5 or 10 Euro fee per transaction even if you choose the 'Euros' option.

Plus, if you use your card to pay for goods in shops also be careful because some tills detect the card as British and automatically convert to £'s at a poor exchange rate.

[RobertK]

Originally Posted by willow

If you've got a Nationwide or Post Office card then ALWAYS choose Euros rather than the £'s rate offered by the machine because these two banks charge no commission % so the rate is always a lot better.

In addition (I'm not entirely sure this is true) it does seem that if you use a cash machine at an actual bank it's cheaper. I've got the impresion that the cash machines at shops etc (often branded Telebanco?) charge a 5 or 10 Euro fee per transaction even if you choose the 'Euros' option.

Plus, if you use your card to pay for goods in shops also be careful because some tills detect the card as British and automatically convert to £'s at a poor exchange rate.

In shops and restaurants they're supposed to offer you the choice, but many don't. I've stopped using my card in restaurants for this reason and because sometimes it's out of your sight for a few moments. I always lift enough cash from an ATM before I go to eat, there are plenty of ATMs.

[Joe McQuay]

I am so glad this internet thing works and your article really helped me. Might take you up on that home advice you