Good Evening Everyone!

I wanted to let you all know how comfortable it is to come to this online community and ALWAYS feel welcomed (even if our questions seem silly). A few weeks ago, I posted a question regarding WAMU's new debit card on another travel community board (I wanted to hear from as many WAMU customers as possible), and I couldn't believe how incredibly nasty some of these people were! Given this travel site's incredibly chilly tone, I will stick to the helpful and extremely nice people here.

I was reading some where that one needs to make sure to call his / her credit card company and bank prior to departure (I've checked this off my "to do" list) and to make sure that the debit (credit card(s)) have not been have de-magnetized. Without actually using your debit card / credit card, how do you know if the card has been de-magnetized?

By the way, I recently heard from a fellow traveler who just came back from Spain (Neirja) and had problems accessing money from the ATM machines (she believes it has a great deal to do with the new debit cards only having access to the STAR networks -- New WAMU card only has the STAR logo on the back). Oh god who knows?? I can tell you all that I have NEVER been this obsessed with concern over a stupid debit card until this year. IF anyone out there has been to any of the following countries in Spain WITHOUT problems, please let me know -- Madrid, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao, and Biarritz (I am most definitely bringing another debit card with me!).

Thanks all!

Bebe

Hey Bebe,

I have a new WAMU debit card (issued after their security breach this past year). I have yet to try it over in Spain or anywhere abroad for that matter, but I am not worrying too much. I had such a card in 1988 when I first livedin Spain andI used it in many (not all) atms without difficulty. Once in awhile you do find one that doesn't seem to take the card. Back on those days, ATms were fairly ne over there. It was funny because I had NO trouble whatesoever across the way in Morocco... just in Spain!

That being said, I once in a while had problems with my card in Germany,too...

Try to find the matching logos... remember that EC cards are differnt technology and so it won't work at an dEC card machine.

I will be finding out how well this works in Spain in just over two weeks. I can try to report back if there are problems, but I relaly am not worrying abotu this becuase WAMU is a HUGE consumer bank and I don't think they would have taken a step backwards when it comes to ATM technology... they want to charge youthat 3% for internationsl transactions!!!

I wish I could give you a more definitie answer... and I suppose when you call to alert them of your trip, you mght want to ask. But I would just say: try, try, try... If one fails, you can often turn a corner and find one that works!

Que lo pases bien en Espana!

Good Morning Sarah,

Thank you for your encouraging reply. Yes, I'm hoping that WAMU's card will work; especially since I cannot find a bank that will issue a check card without the ten day wait (I was told it would take 7 - 10 business days to receive my card!). It's my fault, I waited too long to open another account. So we'll have to see what happens and I just HOPE that everything works (thank you, I have already alerted WAMU re: my travel dates and changed my pin number to a four digit pin).

It sounds as if you may be leaving for Spain shortly after I am. Where will you be traveling in Spain?

I wish you safe travels and please let us know how WAMU treats you abroad!

Bebe