Bank Charges Abroad - I'm getting screwed

hallelujah

Hi all,

My bank balance says €x.xx but when I try to withdraw it says I do not have enough in my account. I am abroad in Thailand and my last few day's withdrawals have not yet been taken out. Still, I'd like to know what the real balanace is. Is there a way of finding this?

Also, when using my ATM card, I am charged by AIB €1.27 for every transaction but I am also being charged about €3 by each of the ATMs I use.

Do any of you know how to get around these fees?

Lastly, if I cannot waiver AIB's €1.27, do any of you know if Ulster Bank or Permanent TSB have cheaper fees? I don't see it on their sites.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

hallelujah

Anyone?

BuffyBot

7 hours is hardly a long time to wait..especially overnight here!

Anyway, to get the "real" balance, use online banking or call telephone banking and they can check the cleared balance for you.

All banks will charge you for accessing your cash outside the Eurozone, and I think that for the most part there is very little difference between them. Depending on how much you are taking out at a time an option for you may be Halifax, who charge 1.75% of the withdrawal amount (with no maximum cap though).

AIB and BOI's fees are roughly the same, while PTSB, UB and NIB can work out more expensive (AIB and BOI cap the commission charges at €6.35, while the others can be up to €11+)

Basically, there is no "cheap" way of doing it: just do it as rarely as possible, and take out as much as you can comfortably carry with you and feel safe.

hallelujah

Thanks BuffyBot.

The clearing balance is not available via internet or phone banking. Both show a balance before withdrawals have cleared.

I'll just have to do with guessing!

Thanks,
Jeff

BuffyBot

Speak to an live person on telephone banking, they should be able to see it

hallelujah

BuffyBot wrote: »

Speak to an live person on telephone banking, they should be able to see it

Speak to a live person? :eek: