Question about Laser/ATM card abroad

PCros

Hey guys,

Quick question, I'm going travelling in January and will be visiting places such as Thailand, OZ, NZ, Fiji and USA.

I have a Laser/ATM card with the 'Link' logo on the back. Will this be accepted to withdraw cash from atm's in the above countries?

I know I wont be able to pay for goods with it.

Would be great to hear from people who have been in these places.

Cheers

JimiTime

Hey Pcros:) Laser or link are useless abroad. It needs to have 'Cirrus' or 'Maestro' on it. Be aware though, that you are charged for using Cirrus abroad. When I went away for a year, i opened up a credit card account. If you keep it in credit, you are sorted i.e. put your money into your credit card account. You can use it as an atm card and for purchases. once its kept in credit, you don't pay interest etc (obviously). If you are applying for one though, don't say you are going to be leaving the country for a year. Say you go away on business a bit or something and ask if you will be charged anything if you keep it in credit. almost positive you wont be, but good to make sure.

WexCan

Link only useful abroad.

Cirrus can be used in ATMs and Maestro in shops (not as widely accepted as Mastercard but the big places will take it) and ATMs.

I believe there's Irish banks doing Visa debit cards now? Maybe Halifax? I have a Visa Debit card with my UK bank and it's fantastic - works anywhere as an ATM card and as a Visa card, but it's a debit card so no bills.

susie05

my Laser Maestro card works in any atm in the world..very handy

BuffyBot

I really should make this thread a sticky.

Link = UK ATM Network.

Cirrus = A global ATM network connected to Mastercard. Any card with a Cirrus/Maestro/Mastercard logo will function within it.

PLUS = An global ATM network connected to Visa. Any card with a PLUS or Visa logo will work in it.

Most ATM's globally support both, but occasionally you'll find one that doesnt.

Using the card as a Maestro card for payment can be hit and miss depending on where you are.

Gran Hermano

JimiTime wrote: »

Hey Pcros:) Laser or link are useless abroad. It needs to have 'Cirrus' or 'Maestro' on it. Be aware though, that you are charged for using Cirrus abroad. When I went away for a year, i opened up a credit card account. If you keep it in credit, you are sorted i.e. put your money into your credit card account. You can use it as an atm card and for purchases. once its kept in credit, you don't pay interest etc (obviously). If you are applying for one though, don't say you are going to be leaving the country for a year. Say you go away on business a bit or something and ask if you will be charged anything if you keep it in credit. almost positive you wont be, but good to make sure.

Check with your card issuer as most will not cover you for fraud on your
account for credit balances - if your card is stolen and/or used fraudulently
you will loose any money you have lodged. With on-line banking it's just
easier and safer to use a credit card as normal and transfer from your
current account to pay off any transactions.

John R

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Check with your card issuer as most will not cover you for fraud on your
account for credit balances - if your card is stolen and/or used fraudulently
you will loose any money you have lodged. With on-line banking it's just
easier and safer to use a credit card as normal and transfer from your
current account to pay off any transactions.

If you use it for cash withdrawals you get charged interest instantly, no 30+day interest free period as with purchases.

PCros

JimiTime wrote: »

Hey Pcros:) Laser or link are useless abroad. It needs to have 'Cirrus' or 'Maestro' on it. Be aware though, that you are charged for using Cirrus abroad. When I went away for a year, i opened up a credit card account. If you keep it in credit, you are sorted i.e. put your money into your credit card account. You can use it as an atm card and for purchases. once its kept in credit, you don't pay interest etc (obviously). If you are applying for one though, don't say you are going to be leaving the country for a year. Say you go away on business a bit or something and ask if you will be charged anything if you keep it in credit. almost positive you wont be, but good to make sure.

It actually has the Maestro logo on the front so should I be able to use it abroad?

BuffyBot

Yes

jamesy mac

hello jimitime im travelling to thailand next wednesday and im looking to no if i could use a first trust banklink card with the link sign on the back of it i asked the bank and they said they didnt no so i rung custermer services and they said that i could im still not sure if ill b able to use it r not and ill b grateful if u could give me any advice thank u jamesymac

JimiTime wrote: »

Hey Pcros:) Laser or link are useless abroad. It needs to have 'Cirrus' or 'Maestro' on it. Be aware though, that you are charged for using Cirrus abroad. When I went away for a year, i opened up a credit card account. If you keep it in credit, you are sorted i.e. put your money into your credit card account. You can use it as an atm card and for purchases. once its kept in credit, you don't pay interest etc (obviously). If you are applying for one though, don't say you are going to be leaving the country for a year. Say you go away on business a bit or something and ask if you will be charged anything if you keep it in credit. almost positive you wont be, but good to make sure.

BuffyBot

Don't dig up old threads - and read the ones marked "Sticky" at the top of the forum