Banking Networks - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

HEWSINATOR · 04-10-2007, 09:27 PM

So everybody says that the best bet for getting cash is ATM withdrawl. OK, great. My card works on the Interac, Maestro and Cirrus networks. I see in my guidebooks directions to MC/V ATMs.

What network is usually used? Do you find you have to look for a network your card works on?

I ask, as here in Canada, you would be hard pressed to find anything that is not Interac. IDK if they are hooked to other networks, but this is the only sign I ever see.

Thank you,

Matt

**MeTurk** · 04-11-2007, 04:06 AM

I think cirrus is the big one but mine (Irish) has link and plus things on it. It worked everywhere though. In Ireland at least small town banks got shut down and replaced with atms so they can do allot with the machines.

**indierock05** · 04-11-2007, 10:56 AM

I think that you can use your ATM card at any ATM, it just depends on the fees that are added

HEWSINATOR · 04-11-2007, 04:09 PM

I do not think this is true. As I understand this is why they have the networks, your bank needs to be attached to it, so they know your info.

Has this been your experience? If you do not mind me asking then, what networks is your card attached to indierock?

Thanks all for the replies.

Matt

**omisan** · 04-11-2007, 05:30 PM

Maestro and Cirrus are pretty much everywhere. In the Americas, you'll often see STAR system, but I've found that that doesn't necessarily help, as some banks block foreign ATM transactions. (Learned this in Costa Rica, where I had to find specific banks to be able to withdraw.)

I've never had a problem with ATMs anywhere in Europe, nor in Australia or New Zealand.

One thing to do is CALL YOUR BANK before you head off overseas, and let them know where you'll be traveling and in what time frame. I had my card shut off while I was in Spain and it was a PAIN IN THE ASS, especially since it was over the holidays.

HEWSINATOR · 04-11-2007, 06:37 PM

OK, so I am sure I will not have a problem, but what the people all over the sight seem to say is that "they do not have a problem" but I am not sure what networks they are on.

Omisan, care to share what networks you are on?

Thank you

**Delaney** · 04-12-2007, 08:36 AM

I haven't tried my card in Europe but when I was in Australia I had no problem. My debit card is a Visa and the logos on the back are Plus, Star and Interlink. I think that is what you mean by networks

HEWSINATOR · 04-12-2007, 12:06 PM

Ya, this is what I am trying to get to. It seems most American cards are Visa. The networks you listed Delaney do not overlap with any of mine.

**Delaney** · 04-12-2007, 01:28 PM

Hewsinator, I think you will be ok with the Maestro/Cirrus networks. I believe that is very widely used. Have you called your bank to ask?

**omisan** · 04-12-2007, 03:04 PM

My card is on STAR and Maestro/Cirrus.

I have faith you will have no problems... Unless you go to Costa Rica

HEWSINATOR · 04-12-2007, 03:08 PM

I have called my bank, but all they knew was it would work with those networks.

Thank you for the help, I do not take my ATM card for granted after they shut it off on me (a BS story) while I was away a while ago.

**MeTurk** · 04-13-2007, 04:43 AM

Cirrus is definitely on all Irish pass machines, I would be very surprised if you found a pass machine in Europe that wouldn't accept an American network. You have to remember tourisim is a huge business in Europe so it's well set up for making sure you have money to spend when your there.

HEWSINATOR · 04-14-2007, 01:25 PM

Well this is just it, the Canadian networks are not necessarily the American networks. For example, my Dad's Visa brand debit from an American bank has different networks than mine.

I have no worries now, and the argument is more philosophical at this point I guess. Just curios now how it all works and is set up.

Thank you again all,

**MeTurk** · 04-16-2007, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Just curios now how it all works and is set up.

I just assumed they run on the devils magic like everything else in banks.

**simply_angelic** · 04-16-2007, 06:13 AM

Ok, I am from Canada...and I used a piece of shit (well ok AMAZING) brand of debit card: president's choice financial. I was expecting it to not work because it's not very well known and it's main branch is CIBC, but it did work! I brought a VISA card as well though as my back up "just in case", which I actually tended to use more, but long story short debit card worked. I have absolutely NO idea what networks it was on though....Haha naiive little laura's never realised that it was necessary to look before...

HEWSINATOR · 04-16-2007, 09:27 AM

Thanks Laura. I think pretty well all Canadian cards are on the same 3 networks: cirrus, interac, and maestro.

Loman · 04-17-2007, 07:29 PM

Used Maestro/Cirrius in about 5 different European countries and countless cities. Never once had a problem. ATM's abroad should be worshiped like a shrine.