money advice/atm

saddlespur says on Oct 1, 2007, 15:38:

I personally did not get the Bank Charges. I notified my bank where I was traveling and I only used ATM's outside of banks. No service charges ever showed up on my statement.

To Get What You Never Had...You Must Do What You've Never Done.

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brazilianhottie says on Oct 1, 2007, 15:59:

hmm..I hope that wont be the situation when I go in december, But I am planning to take cash advances from my credit card and call my credit card company to advise them that I will be traveling to colombia and maybe they can give me feedback on charges that May incur.

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite

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lpdiver says on Oct 1, 2007, 16:09:

I am in a credit union and my ATM has no fees when used outside of the USA. I also get good exchange rates. I had to make a lot of phone calls to finally get to someone who could speak intelligently about the policy though.

t

"cook some rice!"

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coffee beaner says on Oct 1, 2007, 16:33:

I have Washington Mutual and use my ATM in Medellin all the time, I only get charged 1 cent per every dollar which is not bad in my opinion. brazilianhottie if you have an ATM card I don't recommend getting a cash advance from your credit card since you will be paying a lot of interest on it, its better to use an ATM if you have it available.

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tomtom33 says on Oct 1, 2007, 17:17:

My CapitalOne debit card has no charges, not even the 1% international transaction fee. The exchange rate, I believe, is set by the bank that owns the ATM.

Hottie, normally there are large cash advance fees and interest is charged beginning immediately when you use a credit card in an ATM. You may also get hit with the international transaction fee.

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brazilianhottie says on Oct 1, 2007, 18:00:

yea, I think that cash advance will be my last resort.


But good thing to know the info on Wamu and Capital one since I have them both :)

One cent per dollar is not that bad...
Thankz, I learned something new today.

:)

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite

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RJQuilla says on Oct 1, 2007, 18:34:

Check with your bank ref the charges. I used a credit union atm card before and suffered no charges plus got good rates. Dont know if they dont charge or the fee is added to the transaction. If so the fee was so small that it did not make a big difference.

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arthur brode (☼Travelguide writer) says on Oct 1, 2007, 19:09:

go to www.paypal.com and open an account.
you can transfer funds from your bank account to your paypal account for free and withdraw the funds in Colombia using your paypal debit card.

http://www.calirentals.net/

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merceytwo says on Oct 2, 2007, 15:38:

thanks guys!!!! i did advise my bank of my travel to colombia so they would't freeze my account. i believe my exchange rate is 5%
i am going to check in to the pay pal. at good ol wal mart. i hink the need wal marts in colombia!!!!!

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coffee beaner says on Oct 2, 2007, 16:13:

they have Carrefour and Exito... no need for Walmart

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RUV says on Oct 2, 2007, 21:39:

I use Pay Pal in case of emergency. You have to transfer your money three to five days before you can use it.

You may want to stay away from it. They charge to many fees.


Receive payments funded by Credit Card, Debit Card or Buyer Credit 4.9% $0.30 USD (limit of 5 transactions per 12 month period)** for domestic or U.S. transactions

2% applicable Fees Fees for cross border payments

4.9% plus $0.30 USD for card payments received using PayPal on Skype 1.9% to 2.9% $0.30 USD

Multiple Currency Transactions Exchange rate includes a 2.5% fee**
Fees for cross border payments
Exchange rate includes a 2.5% fee**
Fees for cross border payments



** If your transaction involves a currency conversion, it will be completed at a retail foreign exchange rate determined by PayPal, which is adjusted regularly based on market conditions. This exchange rate includes a 2.5% spread above the wholesale exchange rate at which PayPal obtains foreign currency, and the spread is retained by PayPal. The specific exchange rate that applies to your multiple currency transaction will be displayed at the time of the transaction.

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coffee beaner says on Oct 2, 2007, 21:41:

Basically use your damn ATM card!

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RUV says on Oct 3, 2007, 20:20:

I take two ATM cards as well. I had the magnetic strip on my ATM card tear off when I was in RIO. I was in RIO with little cash and two credit cards. Lucky for me it happen towards the end of my trip.

Most Credit cards will also ding you. Travelers check are a pain in the ass to exchange. I tried it. I took cash and the exchange rate was not so good. I used a bank close to the hotel. Long lines and the teller´s attitude sucked.

Like CB mentioned, use your ATM card. Maybe take the Paypal card and some cash just in case, but stay with your ATM card.

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