Charge Free ATM's in France & Spain

[Clickem]

We have three different cards that offer free cash withdrawals from ATM' when abroad. Is there a simple guide/rule as to which bank's ATM's to use, or to avoid, so as not to pay the local bank charges?

TIA

 

[Chrisvh]

Avoid "independent" ATMs, such as Travelex, Euronet, Moneybox, Your Cash, Cardpoint, and Cashzone. These have high fees and may try to trick users with "dynamic currency conversion." Note that these "independent" ATMs are often found next to bank ATMs in the hope that travelers will be too confused to notice the difference. Their machines may even have signs that scream "Free Cash Withdrawals" — don't believe it. Bank ATMs are your best bet. Even though you may have a card with free withdrawals, that will only apply to the card supplier. The independent machine owners will charge for a withdrawal and fleece you with a conversion. Get a Halifax Clarity card or similar.
Very good advice on Moneysaving Expert

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[Clickem]

We use the Halifax Clarity whenever we can, but find that we also need to draw cash occasionally

 

[ramsthom]

With a Santander 1-2-3 debit card in Spain you can withdraw from a Santander ATM ( not the bank ) commision free.

 

[Hagstrom]

Halifax Clarity Card for commercial rate of exchange, no commission, no bank ATM fees for fuel, meals out, supermarkets etc.
If you withdraw currency from a banl ATM but pay off the card at the end of the month there doesn't seem to be any charge.

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[Highfour]

Halifax Clarity Card and a Starling Bank debit card for cash withdrawals (no fees and conversion at the MasterCard rate.) Starling Card works worldwide including all over Southeast Asia. When you make a withdrawal at an ATM you get an immediate text confirming the transaction, even at 1.30 am in the middle of Hanoi! And you can switch it off should you loose your card via their app. Highly recommended.

 

[Scotch mist]

Halifax Clarity Card and a Starling Bank debit card for cash withdrawals (no fees and conversion at the MasterCard rate.) Starling Card works worldwide including all over Southeast Asia. When you make a withdrawal at an ATM you get an immediate text confirming the transaction, even at 1.30 am in the middle of Hanoi! And you can switch it off should you loose your card via their app. Highly recommended.

Me too

 

[2657]

Not had a problem in France but in Spain many banks are charging a fee if you don't take their exchange rate which is never a good option anywhere. Can't advise which banks don't charge but Santander certainly do except for cards from their associated banks.

 

[JockandRita]

We've not had any problem using a Nationwide CC for purchases, and a Metro Bank DC for cash withdrawals, ie, both fee free, (and declining the ATM's conversion rate), however, as in Chrisvh's post above, we avoid the ATMs that he listed.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[PeteH]

I have the older Santander "Zero" card. That gets me "free" cash withdrawals in Spain and the USA too.

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[philann]

We use a barclaycard platinum credit card, no charges for foreign currency purchases, no charges for foreign cash withdrawals and no interest if paid off at the end of each month. Easy to follow spending on their app too.

 

[Sheddy]

We have found that in Spain, the number of "fee free" ATMs are reducing year on year, we still manage to withdraw cash without charges and avoiding the bank exchange rate but the options are declining.
We use our Revolut card for most purchases and keep the cash spending down.
Cheers
Ed

 

[2657]

The OP has already stated that he has cards that are free of charges from the UK bank, what he is asking about is how to avoid charges from the ATM operator.

 

[Emmit]

Last time we were in Spain I found that 'some' banks were charging to use their ATM's
I'll be bu&&ered if I can remember which one I eventually found that didn't charge but I recall visiting several, right at the start of the hols, (and before I really needed to) so I could remember which one to look out for when the time arose.

 

[HarryML]

Monzo card, up to £200 every 30 days and then 3%. They use the interbank exchange rate.

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