I just called Commerce Bank to let them know that I will be using my card there, and was informed that the ATM machines in Italy are not working for cash now or for the foreseeable future; that however I can use my card to get cash advances from Western Union and for Visa Purchases. I am about to call other banks I deal with, but am wondering if anyone has any information. - gedlin

Wachovia says no problem and then goes on to list all the charges I will incur -- so I guess the deal is that the days of good access with Commerce are over.- gedlin

I do not think the country would function without ATM machines, we are very ATM dependent.
Not that it works very well with ATMs....

ATMs are fine here in Piemonte....

Gedlin, I guess that *their* cards do not work with Italian ATMs. But you can bet that Italian ATMs work as usual with their home cards.

?!?!? Is that a joke? It reminds me of the time a few years ago I wanted to send some roses to Crotia for Valentine's Day and FTD told me that they don't have any roses in Croatia!!! I was in shock. I ended up calling a friend in Croatia, sent her some money and she placed the order for me at a local florist for litteraly a fraction of the cost that FTD would of charged me. No roses? No, more like no clue! So ATM problem???? I doubt it! I have withdrawn money twice in the past few days and clients of mine withdrew money today and all with no problem at all.

Following is from Commerce Bank's website:

"ATM/Visa® Check Card

It's the card that works like a check, only better! Use your Commerce ATM/Visa Check Card at more than one million locations, world-wide. As always, there's never a fee from us... Plus, we'll refund all the ATM surcharges you incur.* You can use your card for everyday purchases too - at the grocery store, drug store, doctor's office, coffee shop, gas station - your transactions are immediately deducted from your checking account and detailed on your monthly statement.

* It's accepted worldwide - Your Commerce ATM/Visa Check Card is accepted at more than a million locations worldwide. Sign the receipt and get moving faster!"

Perhaps a talk with another person at Commerce Bank is in order.

Peter

Like most of you I have found that ATM offer the best rates of exchange with the least amount of hassel, but I often concider the possibility of an interuption in international ATM or credit card services that my occur for any number of reason. Besides bringing an ATM card and 2 credit cards,(one my wife carries and one I carry), I also bring at least $2,000 in traveler's checks just to have a back up if all else fails. My bank does not charge me a fee for traveler's checks and when I return home I simple redeposit the checks in the bank. It's not that much trouble and it makes you feel a bit more secure when your for from home.

ATMs functioning fine in Florence, although they were nearly all depleted of cash by Sunday afternoon (heavy weekend traffic, I presume), by Monday they were back in business.

I'm wondering if commerce has changed networks. You know, Star, Cirrus, etc. Those networks you see the symbols for on all the magic money machines here (ATMs)? There is one of the networks that doesn't work well in Italy. But I thought Commerce refunded ATM fees wherever you went? Course they don't have to refund them if the card just plain don't work. Can somebody spell RIP OFF?!

Commerce today verifies that their ATM system outside USA is not available. Their web site, as Peter points out, continues to advertize their worldwide benefits. - gedlin

And here's a pretty disturbing article about Citibank:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11714119/

It is apparently blocking ATM use in some countries for some customers for no discernible reason. "Some Citibank customers are currently carrying cards that will be useless for withdrawing funds in some foreign countries, but ... consumers won't find out there's a problem until they travel. Even calling ahead ... apparently won't head off trouble."

So ... it sounds like it would be a good idea to have at least one and maybe two backup cards for getting cash when traveling. We have all our credit cards set up so we can use them for cash advances in an ATM -- not a good idea if you can avoid it because the fees are high, but better than being stuck somewhere and unable to get cash.

After talking and emailing with a legion of Commerce Bank people, I've been told that there is a problem but that it is affecting places in Asia and South Africa -- not Italy. My guess is that I finally talked to somebody who knows a little geography. Anyhow, I'm going armed with multiple cards just in case. - gedlin

For what it's worth, Wachovia works, just used it today.

I talked to CitiBank today about using my card in Venice later this month. No one mentioned any trouble with the ATMs.