Hello
I'd really appreciate some advice please. We are to use a Pre-paid MasterCard whilst travelling.
- What is the maximum cash withdrawal allowed?
- Are most ATM's free to use, i.e., no fees?
Thanks
Hello
I'd really appreciate some advice please. We are to use a Pre-paid MasterCard whilst travelling.
- What is the maximum cash withdrawal allowed?
- Are most ATM's free to use, i.e., no fees?
Thanks
You can always do cash back to avoid charges. Best to call the # in back of your card
ATMs do have variable fees associated with them, unless your bank has made prior provisions with certain other banks or providers. Contact your provider and ask them these questions.
Edited: 9 years agoUsually you do better just using your regular ATM to get cash as you go rather than a prepaid card. But you have to ask your bank about their fees and if they have a partnership with a US bank, like Bank of America. That still doesn't mean there will be no fees.
And check the fine print about the exchange rate to see if it is the same as a regular ATM transaction.
Most ATM's (not belonging to your bank) are NOT free to use. There is likely to be 2 fees. 1 from the ATM owner and the other from your bank. Royal Farms ( a national convenience store chain) does not have a surcharge for using their atm machine (but that does not mean you won't have a fee from your bank).
ATM's often have a better exchange rate than walking into a bank, at least that is what I have found when I travel.
Most banks have a $300 limit but I have not used the RF ATM, so can't say if theirs is the same. You can also use the card to pay for most of your purchases and will often get a better rate than getting cash.
neslaw: I'd never heard of "Royal Farms" so I checked their locations. They seem to be exclusively in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. None here in MA or on the Vineyard - didn't want the OP to be looking for one while here on vacation!
Thanks all, appreciated.
Am using a FairFX card - no withdrawal fees from them. Loaded when GBP/Dollar rate was closest to highest so this is why chose this. Also have found their service to be excellent: emailed yesterday and there are limits on withdrawals to stop fraud.
All I want to do is to withdraw using an ATM that doesn't charge fees - realising that if there is a USD$300 max transaction, we'll rack up fees for each cash withdrawal.
I'll await to see if anyone can recommend a free ATM - in Marta's Vineyard or in Boston where we're landing.
I t ried to tell you earlier thatt there are no free ATM withdrawals unless your bank has already made those arrangements.
Alanm is correct. There are NO free ATMs unless your card has an arrangement with a specific bank. You need to inquire with your card about fees in the US and whether they have such an agreement.
OK,shall do. Many thanks!
Unfortunately, banks love to get their money and charge fees anyway they can, including at our ATMs.
The advice given above, to check with Master Card, is a good one. My bank offers free transactions at SUM & NYCE network ATMs but each bank is different and each bank charges are different from ATM to ATM.
The best way for "free ATM withdrawals" is to shop at a store that offers free cash back for debit purchases. CVS Pharmacy, as an example, allows $40 with a purchase but larger grocery stores offer higher withdrawals. Welcome to America!