Laser cards....do they work in US....please?!?!??!?!

Scruff101

Just wondering if laser cards work in US going at end of August for few weeks so need to know! Do they work in ATM machines and can you use them as payment?! Thanks!

rovers_runner

Have used a BOI laser in numerous ATMs over there.
Some shops may not accept them but all the ATMs will.

listermint

No the Debit option does not work abroad. Only the cash withdrawal works at ATM providing your card has cirrus or maestro logo on the backside.

Tooler

I'm off to the US on holliers next week and will probably end up spending a few grand over the few weeks (there'll be shopping...).
What's the advice for bringing cash?
- Change some cash in the bank in Ireland and bring that
- Get traveller's checks here
- Use a credit card there (do the banks charge a bad exchange rate then?)
- Use AIB Banklink card in ATM in US to take out cash

Thanks

robinph

The Laser will not work, but if there are some other symbols on the card as well then you may be able to use it in certain cash machines. Get a debit card with a Visa symbol on it and you'll be sorted everywhere.

Mygsy

yep they defo work in case machines, just check out d machine b4 ya use it some are free but some charge a couple of dollars to use em

lynchie

Mygsy wrote: »

yep they defo work in case machines, just check out d machine b4 ya use it some are free but some charge a couple of dollars to use em

as was said above, they will only work if they have either a cirrus or maestro logo on the back. I have seen laser cards that have neither on them that wont work abroad.

Random

Travellers checked are outdated and a lot of hassle these days imo. Credit card & ATM card with online banking to transfer money to someone to Wester Union to you if you need it somehow

babsbabs

Hi well I went to Boston last month with my boyfriend - he is with BOI and Im with AIB. My laser card worked everywhere (maybe it would have been better if it didnt :-)) but my bf's card would only work in some shops - but he was able to get money out from ATM's

So I think you should be ok

robinph

Laser is unique to Ireland and will not work anywhere else, for anything. If you have a card you have used abroard then it was via a different service such as Cirrus/ Maestro/ Visa and not the Laser service.

Fabio

Go and get yourself a credit card but be very very careful of yourself with it and make sure to use it in tandem with internet banking so you can pay things back as they are bought...never in debt and no interest then.

Laser cards work on the Laser system which is indeed unique to Ireland but they also work on the Maestro system which is the Mastercard system for debit cards. However the Maestro worldwide system seems patchy and the Irish issued Maestro cards have an extra digit or somehting like that so they don't always work abroad then but sometimes do. In other words it's hit or miss when it comes to paying with a Laser/Maestro card from an Irish bank for stuff abroad - from what I have read it's more often that not "miss".

If that same card has Cirrus or Plus written on the back of the card then you'll jave no problem using it abroad but beware that there are fee's for taking money out of an atm abroad. There's a service fee and Foreign Exchange fee too...minimum of €3 and max of €12 charge or soemthing like that I think for Ulster Bank at least. Just take out biggish amounts at a time.

As for cash versus other means - always other means! Once cash is lost it's gone forever but a credit, debit or ATM card can be cancelled and replaced in no time with no funds taken if you're quick.

Hope that helps (by the way, msot of the stuff I have written is simply from what I have read as I was in your predicament not so long ago too).

Benedict XVI

robinph wrote: »

The Laser will not work, but if there are some other symbols on the card as well then you may be able to use it in certain cash machines. Get a debit card with a Visa symbol on it and you'll be sorted everywhere.

how exactly can you get a debit card with the Visa symbol in Ireland ?, I had one when I lived in the US and it was very handy,

dogmatix

Tooler wrote: »

I'm off to the US on holliers next week and will probably end up spending a few grand over the few weeks (there'll be shopping...).
What's the advice for bringing cash?
- Change some cash in the bank in Ireland and bring that
- Get traveller's checks here
- Use a credit card there (do the banks charge a bad exchange rate then?)
- Use AIB Banklink card in ATM in US to take out cash

Thanks

Up until a few years ago I would always bring along a few 100 dollars in cash and the rest in travellers chq's. Nowadays I simply bring along a few 100's in the local currency and my credit card and debit card (debit card with the cirrus logo on it).

You can use both cards for cash withdrawals nearly anywhere but credit cards may be more expensive to use. Just know your pin's for both cards, and keep the card phone contact numbers handy with you in case they are stoeln and you have to cancel them.

Would any experienced travellers here recommend travellers chqeues anymore?

BuffyBot

Benedict XVI wrote: »

how exactly can you get a debit card with the Visa symbol in Ireland ?, I had one when I lived in the US and it was very handy,

Halifax are currently the only bank offering them.