Last year when I traveled throughout Italy, I took my WAMU VISA Checkcard and my Capital One credit card with (thank god) no problems. This year I have discovered that WAMU has switched from VISA Checkcards to Mastercard. I understand that with a Mastercard one is able to access the Cirrus network, and this is why I found it strange that my new MC Check card only displays the STAR logo on the back. My WAMU Visa Checkcard had the STAR, PLUS and Interlink logos.

I talked to a STAR Network representative and was told that a card with this logo cannot be used abroad, as it is only for domestic use. I also spoke to a MC Global Assistance representative who seemed a bit shocked that I would have a MC without a Cirrus logo on the back. She told me that if my card displayed the STAR logo, I may not have any luck at the ATM machine while I was abroad, but I could go into a bank and try there. I spoke to several representatives at WAMU who seemed to only gloss over the information that I recently received, and assured me that I would have "no problem" accessing my account while I was in Spain this summer. For some reason, this does not make me feel terribly secure.

I was always under the impression that one's Checkcard was only good at the ATM machines that displayed the logo (the given network) that is on the back of the card. Is this true? I'm really frustrated and confused because of all the conflicting information. I'm not leaving for Spain (Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao and Madrid) until the beginning of July (I'm a planner .... don't like to leave important details for the last minute!) If someone could help me out here and offer some peace of mind I would really appreciate it.

Thank you all in advance.
Bebe

If WAMU is Washington Mutual, see Palma's thread in the "Everything Else" section. She says she was not able to use her Washington Mutual card (not sure which one) in any Italian Bancomats.

M

Here's Palma's comments. I am going to be following this pretty closely. My bank is also WaMu and I was a bit concerned when they switched. I never checked the back and sure enough, there is no Maestro logo on the back. If this is true, I may be looking for a new bank.

Good Morning All!

Thank you (Marian and Marta) for directing me to Palma's post. Oh my god ........ I have a strong feeling that Washington Mutual's switching of vendors is going to cause lots of problems for those of us who travel abroad.

Has anyone had better luck with their Bank of America Checkcard? I was thinking of opening up a checking account with them just to ensure that I have a VISA Checkcard (and hopefully no problems). I know that Wells Fargo also uses VISA, but I know nothing about this bank ....?

In the mean time, if anyone else has had experience with Washington Mutual's Gold Mastercard abroad, please let us know!

Thanks again for your help everyone.

Bebe

I am worried now. I received a message from Chase that the MC Debit cards have been replaced with a VISA one and that very soon it will arrive in the mail. The current MC has NYCE, Pulse, Cirrus and Maestro logos on the back. I've been practically using only my MC during my recent trips overseas, since the AmEx is becoming obsolete in Italy and Germany, unless it is used in very expensive places.

I too am a WAMU Gold Mastercard Debit card holder and never gave it a thought until this thread.

I will check with my bank on Tuesday about it to see if this is true. Looks like B of A will be getting some business!

Doug

another wamu customer here.

i had an absolutely horrible experience as a B of A customer.... are there any other banks that don't charge conversion rates and have just a small atm fee??

this makes me so sad! i'll be practically living off of my american bank account for at least the first few months i'm in italy... this could really screw a lot of things up...

Piccolina,

Are you currently living in Italy? I'm assuming that you have had no problems thus far with the "new" MC checkcard?

I've also heard horror stories about B of A, and this is why I'm also wary about opening an account with them. The only reason I would do so, is to get their VISA Checkcard.

Please let us know if problems arise for you with the WAMU card (I hope not!).

Bebe

Hi Doug,

Yes, please talk to your WAMU representatives and see what's going on. I actually talked to four different representatives and each one assured me that the card will work internationally.

But who knows?

Bebe

Bebe,

I dont' know but I will check with them. Oddly enough, Judith has her accounts with a smaller bank in our area and, due to it's smaller size probably works with the larger network like Cirrus or Maestro.

Just goes to show you the big banks may not always be the best option?!

More to come on the saga...

Doug

quote:

are there any other banks that don't charge conversion rates and have just a small atm fee??

Yes--Capital One--which is being discussed on another thread right now--no conversion fee plus they reimburse the VISA fee. Automobile Association-no fee but there is the standard 1% VISA fee.

Well, I'm another WAMU customer. Used it last May and had no problems. I'm also wondering whether my new MC card will work in Europe.

Last year, I also took my Wells Fargo VISA Debit card as back up. Used it once and it worked fine. For my next trip, I may have to go with my Wells Fargo card as my primary and my Credit Union VISA Debit card as back up.

I'm still interested to hear what anyone is able to report back on this topic.

Hi Trekcapri,

I have a good suspicion that those of us who are WAMU customers may all be holding our breath until we hear positive (hopefully) or negative news regarding the new gold MC.

I was actually thinking about opening up an account with Wells Fargo so I could have a VISA Debit card to withdrawal funds this summer (I'm leaving July 4th) in Spain. Have you had a good experience with these folks?

Again, if anyone has used WAMU's new gold MC (debit card) abroad, please let us all know if there were any problems.

Thanks all.

Bebe

quote:

Originally posted by Bebe:
Piccolina,

Are you currently living in Italy? I'm assuming that you have had no problems thus far with the "new" MC checkcard?

I've also heard horror stories about B of A, and this is why I'm also wary about opening an account with them. The only reason I would do so, is to get their VISA Checkcard.

Please let us know if problems arise for you with the WAMU card (I hope not!).

Bebe

hi bebe,

i'm still in the US and actually haven't received my new MC. just a letter notifying me in the mail that i will be receiving it soon. i switched TO wamu last summer because of the money i'd save and it worked perfectly (it was visa, of course) for the three months i was there this fall.

i used wells fargo the year i studied abroad in italy and it worked fine. i think it had higher atm fees than wamu (plus a conversion fee) and that's why i switched.

maybe i'll try capitol one if we ever confirm that wamu's now worthless.... :O

Okay.. HERE IS THE "SKINNY" FROM WAMU...

I spoke to a representative at WAMU and though it does not say "Cirrus" on the card, the card is attached to the "Cirrus" network so it should work in Europe.

As an aside, when talking to the representative about a large group of travelers (I did not mention ST) are upset and thinking of changing accounts due to this, she stated "it would be their loss as they can always take travelers cheques". DID I LAUGH and I told her they were UNACCEPTED anywhere and I told her, "I assume you don't travel overseas?" and she responded "there is too much going on over there". Wow, did I get my laughter in this morning!!!

Well, according the closed minded person I had on the line, the card should work as it is attached to CIRRUS.

Doug

wow, i guess she doesn't know the value of her customer base... i'm sure if that call was recorded, she's getting a talking to by her manager....

well, that's good news. hopefully she's right.

thanks for steppin' up and making the call, doug!

Thanks Doug for the information from WaMu. Palma mentioned the following in her thread:

quote:

My ATM will not work anywhere in Italy.Mine is Washington Mutual, and they are having problems with CitiBank.(never had a problem before)

I looked up a thread from March when there were issues with Citibank. Sure enough it was with their Mastercard branded cards. This may be related to the MC issues instead of Wamu association with Cirrus. I'm just a bit surprised that this is still affecting MC ATM usages after 2 months. It does make me want to get both branded ATMs cards although most of the banks offering Visa does charge for ATM withdrawls.

Good Morning All!

Wow Doug, it sounds as if you spoke to the same person (and I spoke to FOUR WAMU people who echoed the same closed minded perspective) as I did last week! Unbelievable ....... Given this attitude that seems to be a common denominator among WAMU's telephone bankers (and in-house representatives); I am not 100% confident in their card. Let's just hope that these debit cards work when we are abroad (by the way, when are you all leaving for your trips? I'm leaving for Spain -- I feel like I'm cheating on "bella Italia" --on July 4th). In the mean time, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to play it safe, and open another account (maybe Wells Fargo -- thanks Piccolina for the info!) so I can have a back up.

In any case, thank you all so much for your valuable feedback (thanks Doug for making the call!).

Bebe

quote:

Have you had a good experience with these folks?

Hi Bebe:

Hope I did the quote right. If not, oh well.

I really like the customer service at Wells Fargo, but as Piccolina mentioned they do charge higher ATM fees.

You can try BofA, but I personally have not had a good experience with them either. As in Doug's case, my WAMU rep also assured me that my new MC will work in Europe! But I guess if I were in your shoes I would certainly feel a lot more confident if someone would post about their firsthand experience. Hopefully someone will post soon and they can put all of us at ease. But if not, all of our reps couldn't be wrong, could they? Anyway, I'll have to stay on top of your thread, thanks again for posting it.

Whatever you decide to do, hope it all works out for you and that you have a great trip!

Kathy

Ps. Marta, great pictures of your South Africa trip!

Sadly, as much as Bella Italia pulls at my heart, due to family obligations (fortunately good ones) we will be here this year but come next May... 3 weeks.

To safeguard on the WAMU issue, Judith has a different bank than I, so we will put enough funds in her account to cover it... she is definately on CIRRUS.

Prego!
Doug

I, too, am concerned about Washington Mutual's switch from Visa to MasterCard. I've been a customer of theirs for years, but I am now seriously thinking of switching.

Has anyone had any experience with First Republic Bank? Apparently their checking account reimburses all your ATM fees, so not only do they not charge you to use another bank's ATM, but they'll even cover the fee if the other bank charges you - anywhere in the world. Something to look into...

-Krista

Just got my new WAMU gold Mastercard debit card (bank based in Seattle) and it's worked every time I used it at the Italian bancomat. No problems! Let's face it - all the US banks are equally bad. Changing solves nothing.

Hi Kurberry:

Excellent! Thanks for the post.

Kathy

Thanks Kurberry. It is great to hear from someone that it does work.

I might still get a second account in another bank that has Visa mainly to be covered by both systems. When I was in Holland in 2004 I had difficulty getting train tickets. The purchasing of train tickets is now mostly automated. They take only debit cards or coins. Also there are now many smaller stations without a manned ticket booth. My Visa ATM would not work in the machines. I think it was because the machines were affilliated only with Cirrus. I ended up having to purchase a ticket from an agent which had a surcharge. I wished I also had a Mastercard ATM to see if that card would work. There is still a good chance that neither card would work but at least I would have known.

And I do agree, changing banks is pretty serious stuff. I doubt that I would fully leave WaMu after all these years but I may still give a local credit union a try.

One reason Americans sometimes cannot use their credit cards (MC and Visa) in Europe, especially at automated ticket vending machines, gas pumps, and highway tollstations is that European cards have a chip embedded that US card issuers do not use. The machines are unable to read the chipless US-issued cards; in shops, a human can still enter data manually but you are stuck when the only way to purchase a train ticket is the vending machine.

I do not know whether the same applies to debit cards with the Visa or MC logo.