Using debit card in USA

[Glenbren]

I am going to USA for holiday. I have my dollars, but can I use my debit card over there in the stores?

[MarkRae]

Yes, so long as it's either a Visa or Mastercard.

[Tilly2]

Yes, you can but there is always a charge. Contact your card provider and ask them what the charges are

[woofgang]

Unlikely. Different states and different stores will have different rules which doesn't help. Also if there is fraudulent use, it will be way harder to deal with. My suggestion would be to use a credit card so that you have protection from the credit card and no one has direct access to your bank account.

[jno]

I've got a Saga credit card, which doesn't charge for foreign transactions (and doesn't appear to load the exchange rates). I think there are others with the same benefit.

[mike11111]

On the subject of debit cards, does Maestro, the successor to Switch, still exist? I had a Maestro card but my bank switched to Visa three years ago.

[kawakiri]

May be a good idea to let your provider know as when I was on NY I had my card declined and found out when I contacted my bank that they stopped the card because it had been used in NY which was not usual. I guess they were looking after my best interests.

[boxtops]

Like this maestro card, mike ?? http://www.maestrocard.com/uk/

[MarkRae]

As far as the person working behind the till is concerned, there is no difference whatsoever between a credit card or debit card from either Visa or Mastercard. They simply ask you to put it into the machine and enter your PIN. They will then receive a message on their screen telling them that the transaction is authorised, declined or (very occasionally) being referred to the card issuer.

[heathfield]

The card issuer's computer system may see an attempt to use the card as an 'unusual transaction' and automatically block a purchase. When this happens you've no alternative but to phone the card issuer to have the block lifted. Informing the card issuer that you'll be using the card abroad will make no difference, since it's the computer that does the automatic blocking. But if you've informed the issuer, when you phone they'll see that you've told them you'll be abroad, and that'll make it easier to have the block lifted. I go on holiday abroad to the same place at the same time every year, so spending on my card is hardly an 'unusual transaction', but it still gets blocked every time! Best to phone before you go, even if it's to check the helpline phone number is appropriate. When my bank changed to Visa, the helpline number on the new card simply put me through to a recording that told me my balance!!

[237SJ]

MarkRae - they don`t use the PIN system in the States (or indeed many other parts of the world). You still have to sign an electronic screen.

[jno]

for purchases below about $20, some American shops don't even bother to get you to sign. (No wonder - does a signature on an electronic screen ever resemble one on paper?)

[sitges]

I have traveled all over Europe from the USA and if I inform my card holder where I am going and what towns I will be in and the dates I will be gone, I have never had a problem using my debit or credit cards. The reason for using a debit card is that you can get cash out of a machine without being charged for a cash advance by your card holder.

[hc4361]

Nationwide doesn't charge either. :)

[zebo]

hc4361, I believe Nationwide do charge now although their charges are among the lowest, according to comparison sites. We used it in Hamburg at Christmas and got an excellent rate of exchange. We always let the card companies know when we are using them abroad, we had a problem in NZ once.
If you intend to use your card at check-in to cover hotel room extras but intend to pay cash on checkout as we usually do, a credit card is best, a debit card is debitted immediately.

[MarkRae]

> they don`t use the PIN system in the States.

Apologies, you're quite correct. I knew that chip and pin is in the process of being introduced in the US, but hadn't checked properly:
http://articles.busin...-cards-offering-cards
http://www.pcmag.com/...0,2817,2399772,00.asp

Anyway, I have just received a new Visa debit card today, and it mentions that it can be used anywhere displaying a Visa sign. It further mentions informing the bank of travel dates and destinations in advance to reduce the likelihood of transactions being refused, and further recommends paying for things in the local currency rather than sterling, if offered a choice, to falling foul of the store's own exchange rate, which may vary wildly from the "official" one.

[murraymints]

I would err on cautionary side and advise your providor of your intention as out of the ordinary spending pattern may lead to its suspension..happened to me in Portugal !!!

[Booldawg]

yes, always tell your bank/building society of any possible foriegn transactions you will be making ahead of getting over there.

[Glenbren]

Thanks everyone