Using AIB card Abroad.

SNNUS

Hi,

I am going to the u.s next week for 2 weeks and I am wondering should I carry a good amount of cash or withdraw money from the atm. The only problem is that AIB have a €100 daily limit, I do not like to carry lots of cash but this daily limit is ridiculous...

mikedragon32

Get a prepaid Visa Card (02 Money perhaps?) or similar and load it up before you go. You can then use that anywhere that takes credit cards, negating the need to carry cash.

Dodge

SNNUS wrote: »

The only problem is that AIB have a €100 daily limit, I do not like to carry lots of cash but this daily limit is ridiculous...

Presume thats your own limit as it certainly isn't standard across all AIB customers (as I'm one of them have taken out up to about $600 a time)


Might be worth giving them call to clarify that, maybe lift it for you

SNNUS

No it is not my limit , It is a limit to all customers..

http://www.aib.ie/personal/current-accounts/AIB-Debit-Card?c_id=home&ad_id=ad10

starfish12

im just back from NYC and actually raised this complaint with Conor Pope last week, AIB have enforced this on all of their customers from February 18th, without any prior warning whatsoever.

I was in NYC from the 16th, and everything was grand, as you say I could withdraw $600, and then at midday on Friday the 18th they reduced the limit to €100 per 24 hour period, without giving anyone any notice.

Make sure you either bring cash or have credit cards! I did discover that some stores will accept your laser card at their tills, but this doesnt apply to all shops, so you can't really rely on this. For instance, Macys did, but our Hotel didnt.

H2G2

I used my AIB card twice in Amsterdam last weekend. 150 euro each time no problem. Small print seems to vary by location. Seems silly rule...

SNNUS

Yes it is very annoying and more hassle for my trip, Eurozone countries are ok though. They should have at least made it €200

oxysept

I'm just back from a trip to the US and got stung by this limit as well - nearly left me stranded.
But your Debit card "laser" will work in most stores and even in bars - reducing the need for cash that's how I survived.

Dodge

Wow, thanks for highlighting this SNNUS as I'd heard nothing.

SNNUS

Ye,p I think Credit card in credit is probably the best way now..

Lollymcd

oxysept wrote: »

I'm just back from a trip to the US and got stung by this limit as well - nearly left me stranded.
But your Debit card "laser" will work in most stores and even in bars - reducing the need for cash that's how I survived.

Laser card wont work for POS sales unless it is a Maestro or Visa debit card as well.

Stinicker

Laser Cards are totally useless for multiple reasons.

• You cannot use them online only certain Irish oriented websites.
• You will find it hard to use them to pay for stuff abroad as their Maestro facility is a disaster.
• When you use the BOI Laser card abroad in a non-Euro country you will get charged over €8 per transaction.
• The money is debited from your account instantly leaving less leeway if you are defrauded.
• The only use they have outside Ireland is that they are handy for withdrawing money when you are in the Eurozone as there is no fee and you if you withdraw €50 thats what you pay!

Having been abroad several times and had my fair share of ATM trouble my recommendation is this:

Get yourself a proper Bank issued Credit Card preferably Visa or Mastercard, forget about Pre-Paid Credit Cards, they cost alot of money and are a waste of time in general, with the execption of Wirecard and even using those would be for the sole purpose of avoiding Ryanair Credit Card fees.

When you have your Credit Card, load in money for spending, eg. €1000, then you have €1000 you can withdraw abroad outside the Eurozone and avoid all the large fees associated with Laser, so long as you are withdrawing from your positive balance and even when you dip into your credit line the charges are OK also compared to Laser.

Get a proper credit card and forget about Laser for anything other than ATM withdrawals in the Eurozone, and of course domestic use.

Dodge

Fees applicable in the US

Bank of Ireland Visa charge 1.75% for withdrawals in positive balance
AIB Visa charge 2.75% for withdrawals in positive balance
AIB Mastercard 2.14% for withdrawals in positive balance
PTSB Visa Debit 1.75%

And of course the AIB website states "(CLICK and 'be' credit cardholders please note the Cash Advance Fee will apply for accounts in debit and in credit.)"

The cash advance fee is 1.5% so if you have an AIB be mastercard you'll be charged €9.27 for withdrawing $300, compared with €7.56 with ptsb Visa Debit (based on rate of $1= €0.72)

So it isn't just as simple to say 'get a credit card'

Some Credit cards cost more than debit cards

Unshelved

When you have your Credit Card, load in money for spending, eg. €1000, then you have €1000 you can withdraw abroad outside the Eurozone and avoid all the large fees associated with Laser, so long as you are withdrawing from your positive balance and even when you dip into your credit line the charges are OK also compared to Laser.

Just a query, but I've heard that if you have a positive balance on your credit card, you are responsible for any losses should your card be stolen and used fraudelently.

Stinicker

Unshelved wrote: »

Just a query, but I've heard that if you have a positive balance on your credit card, you are responsible for any losses should your card be stolen and used fraudelently.

True as far as I know, however best bet speak to your specific bank to be sure.

cranfordmike

AIB absolute CNUT's

I'm in US at the moment and have just been caught out by the 100 limit

Does anybody know if Bank of Ireland laser has the same issue??

Have a laser with them so hopefully can get some funds put into it

SNNUS

Just AIB I believe, so put money onto your boi or credit card

daveyjoe

I am very confused by the different charges that are levied on me for withdrawing cash abroad. I'm travelling around South East Asia starting next week and I have 4 cards can somebody tell me which is the best for foreign ATM withdrawals? I can put money into a credit card to avoid the cash advance fee if necessary.

I currently have the following cards: AIB Lazer, AIB 'Click' Visa Credit, Ulster Bank Visa Debit, Ulster Bank 'Classic' Mastercard.

roundymac

Unshelved wrote: »

Just a query, but I've heard that if you have a positive balance on your credit card, you are responsible for any losses should your card be stolen and used fraudelently.

Spot on, I was told that by AIB a couple of years back.The reason given was that this was the way to stop us doing that so that they could then charge us interest when we debited our a/c with a cash withdrawal. Is there a limit on the ammount of cash that you can withdraw using your credit card?

adamski8

SNNUS wrote: »

Ye,p I think Credit card in credit is probably the best way now..

so that isnt restricted by withdraw limit? sure?

gerrowadat

I've used an AIB ATM card and credit card in the states dozens of times. They work in ATMs and at automated petrol pumps (chevron anyway). Just make sure you have cirrus or maestro. I've never gotten dollars from an irish ATM. The most I've been charged is $3 for taking out a few hundred in an ATM over there -- just make sure you go to a branch ATM, not in the airport or a dodgy looking standalone one.

Laser is Ireland-specific. VISA and Mastercard are not. Your cc should work everywhere.

I don't understand people taking giant wodges of cash -- I've done multi-week trips in the states without using cash, everywhere does card. I carry an emergency $100 in case I need to tip or a card machine is busted.

Oh, I also carry a spare credit card, in case AIB decide to cancel mine for no reason, which they have done several times. Best call them in advance, they get antsy if you show up in a foreign place and start buying stuff.

adamski8

gerrowadat wrote: »

I've used an AIB ATM card and credit card in the states dozens of times. They work in ATMs and at automated petrol pumps (chevron anyway). Just make sure you have cirrus or maestro. I've never gotten dollars from an irish ATM. The most I've been charged is $3 for taking out a few hundred in an ATM over there -- just make sure you go to a branch ATM, not in the airport or a dodgy looking standalone one.

Laser is Ireland-specific. VISA and Mastercard are not. Your cc should work everywhere.

I don't understand people taking giant wodges of cash -- I've done multi-week trips in the states without using cash, everywhere does card. I carry an emergency $100 in case I need to tip or a card machine is busted.

Oh, I also carry a spare credit card, in case AIB decide to cancel mine for no reason, which they have done several times. Best call them in advance, they get antsy if you show up in a foreign place and start buying stuff.

did you read the posts on the thread? we are complaining that u can only take out €100 per day now

gerrowadat

adamski8 wrote: »

did you read the posts on the thread? we are complaining that u can only take out €100 per day now

...and I was saying you don't need cash for 90% of stuff in the states.

adamski8

gerrowadat wrote: »

...and I was saying you don't need cash for 90% of stuff in the states.

sorry, i actually got it completely wrong. when i was reading this thread i thought it was using your cc for purchases not atm withdrawals! cant believe now that people use their cc for atm withdrawals. why not just use your card to buy things as they come up like you said!

gerrowadat

adamski8 wrote: »

sorry, i actually got it completely wrong. when i was reading this thread i thought it was using your cc for purchases not atm withdrawals! cant believe now that people use their cc for atm withdrawals. why not just use your card to buy things as they come up like you said!

Exactly mate! Using your CC in an ATM, even in Ireland, is a mug's game.

Lollymcd

adamski8 wrote: »

sorry, i actually got it completely wrong. when i was reading this thread i thought it was using your cc for purchases not atm withdrawals! cant believe now that people use their cc for atm withdrawals. why not just use your card to buy things as they come up like you said!

gerrowadat wrote: »

Exactly mate! Using your CC in an ATM, even in Ireland, is a mug's game.

I believe the restrictions are not only on credit cards but on ATM cards also. While I agree carrying large amounts of cash around is not a good idea some small business, B&B's for example, do not accept credit or debit cards. Being restricted to withdrawing €100 per day makes it very difficult in rural areas when paying for day to day expenses and accommodation.

One poster mentions going to south east Asia, a lot of smaller businesses here will only accept cash.

adamski8

Lollymcd wrote: »

adamski8 wrote: »

sorry, i actually got it completely wrong. when i was reading this thread i thought it was using your cc for purchases not atm withdrawals! cant believe now that people use their cc for atm withdrawals. why not just use your card to buy things as they come up like you said!

gerrowadat wrote: »

Exactly mate! Using your CC in an ATM, even in Ireland, is a mug's game.

I believe the restrictions are not only on credit cards but on ATM cards also. While I agree carrying large amounts of cash around is not a good idea some small business, B&B's for example, do not accept credit or debit cards. Being restricted to withdrawing €100 per day makes it very difficult in rural areas when paying for day to day expenses and accommodation.

One poster mentions going to south east Asia, a lot of smaller businesses here will only accept cash.

Not really, take some cash for those situations with you.

Lollymcd

adamski8 wrote: »

Not really, take some cash for those situations with you.

Not really what?

"some cash" wont really cover a months rent...

gerrowadat

Lollymcd wrote: »

Not really what?

"some cash" wont really cover a months rent...

When was the last time you paid a months rent in the US with cash?

Are we even still talking about travel here?

Lollymcd

gerrowadat wrote: »

When was the last time you paid a months rent in the US with cash?

Are we even still talking about travel here?

People travel to places other than the US! I was more thinking of the poster who was going to SE Asia, when I was there I paid predominantly with cash as it was the only option.

Long and short of it is, if you have an AIB account and would like to spend an extended amount of time outside the Euro zone, you will need to open a different account.

gerrowadat

Lollymcd wrote: »

Long and short of it is, if you have an AIB account , you will need to open a different account.

Fixed that for you.