ATM Fees?

Does anyone know what the fee for using an ATM on board is? Thanks!

It's high like $7 or something but you can get money off the credit card securing your seapass in the casino for a 3% charge, it does not show as cash but entertainment.

It was $6 on the Majesty in June. Like Sue said it's 3% for a cash advance in the Casino, so $200 was the breakeven point for the two.

Does anyone know what the fee for using an ATM on board is? Thanks!

Don't know to much about ATM fees but I recently found out that if you buy something in another country (not on the ship) credit card companies are now adding what's called A "Foreign Transaction Fee" FTF. I recently purchased something from the internet from a foreign country (Canada) and found a 3% fee.

I was told that this information was on that little tiny piece of paper (the one with the fine print) that comes in your credit card statement once a year. I believe that all credit card companies charge this fee except Capital One.

Don't know to much about ATM fees but I recently found out that if you buy something in another country (not on the ship) credit card companies are now adding what's called A "Foreign Transaction Fee" FTF. I recently purchased something from the internet from a foreign country (Canada) and found a 3% fee.

 

I was told that this information was on that little tiny piece of paper (the one with the fine print) that comes in your credit card statement once a year. I believe that all credit card companies charge this fee except Capital One.

FTF have been around for years. Some are higher then others and very few have none.

It's high like $7 or something but you can get money off the credit card securing your seapass in the casino for a 3% charge, it does not show as cash but entertainment.

Remember that there is another option: bring traveler's checks. Query your credit union or bank for American Express traveler's checks and ask about the fee. You can find some credit unions offering a 1% fee, which is a better rate than using the casino and materially better than the ATM.

Traveler's checks can then be swapped for cash at the Guest Relations desk or casino for no charge.

Remember that there is another option: bring traveler's checks. Query your credit union or bank for American Express traveler's checks and ask about the fee. You can find some credit unions offering a 1% fee, which is a better rate than using the casino and materially better than the ATM.

 

Traveler's checks can then be swapped for cash at the Guest Relations desk or casino for no charge.

Or if your husband works for the bank....no fees. LOL;)

Thanks, all. Got the info I was looking for. It was actually info for a friend who is in the ATM business. I've never used one - pre-planning for the cash I'll need has always worked for me ;)

Remember that there is another option: bring traveler's checks. Query your credit union or bank for American Express traveler's checks and ask about the fee. You can find some credit unions offering a 1% fee, which is a better rate than using the casino and materially better than the ATM.

 

Traveler's checks can then be swapped for cash at the Guest Relations desk or casino for no charge.

Thanks for the tip, great idea.

Or if your husband works for the bank....no fees. LOL;)

Or have a bank that refunds ATM transaction fees. ;)

Bring cash is the easiest way--if you don't spend it all, your bank will let you redeposit it when you get home!

Bring cash is the easiest way--if you don't spend it all, your bank will let you redeposit it when you get home!

also the least secure way to travel, you lose it you are out of luck.

also the least secure way to travel, you lose it you are out of luck.

Bingo...

also the least secure way to travel, you lose it you are out of luck.

Which is why I take AMEX travellers' checks in $20.00 denominations.

Bring cash is the easiest way--if you don't spend it all, your bank will let you redeposit it when you get home!

Except if you lose it. Say bye-bye to that two grand.

If I lost my credit card, my provider will issue me a new one and I won't be responsible for one cent of fraud charges. If I lose the traveler's checks, I can get replacements in short order. If I lose cash, I hear Warren Buffett alarms going off in my head about proper insurance.

Also, when I do get home, I just throw the extra traveler's checks into the safe and use them the next time I travel. They're also there when I need spare cash and my stash has run low; just run up to the store and buy a pack of gum with the $100 check. Instant petty cash.

Or have a bank that refunds ATM transaction fees. ;)

Duh! I knew that information but didn't think of it - I simply don't use my ATM card /bank card (sits in the safe) because I'd rather have the protections of my credit card.

When I'm in the States, I purchase everything on the card and pay it off at the end of the month. My protection is if there is ever a situation with a purchase (overcharge on a dining experience, for instance), I'll initially try to resolve it with the merchant. If there's even a hint of attitude, I just say "have a pleasant day" and then take the matter up with my card provider.

Except if you lose it. Say bye-bye to that two grand.

 

If I lost my credit card, my provider will issue me a new one and I won't be responsible for one cent of fraud charges. If I lose the traveler's checks, I can get replacements in short order. If I lose cash, I hear Warren Buffett alarms going off in my head about proper insurance.

 

Also, when I do get home, I just throw the extra traveler's checks into the safe and use them the next time I travel. They're also there when I need spare cash and my stash has run low; just run up to the store and buy a pack of gum with the $100 check. Instant petty cash.

Absolutely! I make copies of Travellers Checks and credit cards, and also have toll-free numbers with me. I also call my credit card company before I travel, give them the dates of travel and destinations, and advise them that I might use this card for purchases during the trip. I rarely use it (emergencies only) and pay TC for purchases. If the venue won't accept TC, I don't need their product.

OLDLADYDRIVESFOURYEAROLDHONDAACCORD.

If you are traveling to another country, check and see if they take travels checks or which credit cards are acceptable. Visa and Mastercard are accepted most places. American Express is not always accepted, or there may be an extra change. Discover on not accepted in most places outside of north america.

The cheapest way to get cash overseas is usually with an ATM, assuming your bank doesn't charge fees. For Example, Bank of America has agreements with several overseas banks. No charge for using the ATM, and a low exchanage rate. Also Credit unions usually have low/no changes.

As for Credit cards, they have expanded the "foreign exchange" fees over the last few years. I've been charged the fee when buying over the internet, even when paying in US dollars. Cost is usually about 3%, plus a generally poor exchanage rate when paying in foreign dollars.

Absolutely! I make copies of Travellers Checks and credit cards, and also have toll-free numbers with me. I also call my credit card company before I travel, give them the dates of travel and destinations, and advise them that I might use this card for purchases during the trip. I rarely use it (emergencies only) and pay TC for purchases. If the venue won't accept TC, I don't need their product.

 

OLDLADYDRIVESFOURYEAROLDHONDAACCORD.

Most vendors will accept the TCs but there are times I'd rather just have spare cash to help with price negotiations.

We find it best to use a credit card that does not charge a "foreign exchange" fee for foreign purchases and a bank that does not charge fees for ATM transactions or traveler's checks.

The big advantage to using a major credit card is that you have protection if anything goes wrong. In addition, you get cash back (or points or miles) for every dollar you spend.

You get nothing back if you pay with cash or traveler's checks. Sometimes you can get a better price by paying cash, but sometimes you can get ripped off.

Most vendors will accept the TCs but there are times I'd rather just have spare cash to help with price negotiations.

Which is why I get TC in $20.00 denominations. Don't like to flash a lot of cash, but a number of twenties often does the trick. I'm not buying Rolexes or Tag Heuers, fake purses overpriced electronics, or bad jewelery. If I think it's worth it, I'll buy it.

BBDA - aren't you one of the posters who advised against carrying a lot of cash around?

If you are traveling to another country, check and see if they take travels checks or which credit cards are acceptable. Visa and Mastercard are accepted most places. American Express is not always accepted, or there may be an extra change. Discover are not accepted in most places outside of north america.

We are discussing getting cash onboard a cruise so instead of cashing your TC onshore just go to the purser's desk or the casino to cash USD traveler's checks. Even for foreign currency I have taken TCs and cashed them onboard at the guest services exchange desk. As long as you don't exchange currency there isn't a charge or service fee so you get 100 Euros for your 100 Euros TC. I did this on our last Dec. X Century TA cruise to get both Euros and GBP and have done the same on our other European cruises.

So there is a fee for the ATM or it depends on your bank??

So there is a fee for the ATM or it depends on your bank??

RCCL charges a "convenience charge" at the ATM for all customers. Some banks, like mine, refund these fees on their own.

Which is why I get TC in $20.00 denominations. Don't like to flash a lot of cash, but a number of twenties often does the trick. I'm not buying Rolexes or Tag Heuers, fake purses overpriced electronics, or bad jewelery. If I think it's worth it, I'll buy it.

 

BBDA - aren't you one of the posters who advised against carrying a lot of cash around?

Yes I am, and I made the comment based on security situations. I also suspect that there are varying opinions on what constitues "a lot of cash". Personally, while in the States, I'll have a few hundred on me in cash and my favorite credit card. When making purchases, I'll use the card - I rarely pay with cash. I suppose I just carry it for convenience as I've visited some burger joints that don't take credit cards. :confused: (are you serious?)

It's also "nice" if you have poor service at a restaurant (slooooooooooow server) because once you get the bill, you can just leave cash and split, rather than using the card and having to wait...and wait. And then there's the time when you stayed at a hotel downtown thinking you would walk to the office the next morning, only to wake up late and need to hail a cab quickly so you're not late for that big meeting. Having cash to give to the cabbie as I slide out the back is nice and efficient.

From my experience, having cash outside the States has helped me negotiate better deals while shopping. Don't ask me why; I could speculate over the merchant fees and such, but I just have an easier time with cash than the card. And it's cheaper for me too. Buuuuuuuut if I know I'm liable to spend $$$ on a particular trip, I'll get the traveler's checks and exchange them for cold, hard cash when needed.