Each Friday, we feature a reader-submitted tip as our Travel Tip of the Day. This week’s tip comes from reader Morgan S., who wrote in to “get the word out about a potentially difficult issue for travelers who use Wells Fargo,” saying:
“After many years with no problems my Wells Fargo debit card no longer worked while in France and Spain. I finally got Wells Fargo to concede that ‘some international banks are not properly routing withdrawal requests to Wells Fargo.’ They don’t seem to be doing anything to remedy this and instead suggested that I get a check card and go into the foreign bank during their business hours to get cash, a complete rejection of the concept of a debit card that you can use 24 hours a day and without waiting in line in a bank. I’d like to get the word out that this is occurring, as a lot of future travelers could otherwise be in for an unpleasant surprise when they need cash.”
Thanks, Morgan!
Related: Tell Your Bank You’re Traveling
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When traveling overseas I go to my local AAA and purchase a visa travel card. It works just like a debit. you select a pin number and can withdraw funds from any ATM. in the local currency. This is good to know about Wells Fargo
Johnny, Thanks for the information regarding Wells Fargo Bank. My husband’s bank is Wells Fargo. However,I use Bank of America which claims to have “sister” banks in France. When in France, I always use my ATM debit card at “BNP Paribas” locations which seems to be all over France. In the UK, it is Barclays United Kingdom, in Canada it is Scotiabank, etc. As banks go, I like credit unions better, but I keep my account in BofA because they also sell foreign funds. (They claim that it is at the best rate.) I buy a small amount of foreign funds before I leave, but I usually use mostly credit cards. Also, Susan’s reply regarding the AAA Visa Travel Card sounds like a good resource. Thanks, Johnny for keeping people who love to travel, up to date with great advice!
Great info, thanks for sharing this!