Hi there
Are currently in Bali and are having problems using our British Cirrus bank cards in ATMs on the island . As yet we have been unable to get any money out and are wondering if anyone can help out . Spoke to a German guy who was having the same problem , seeming the Aussie's are not having a problem, but yet to ask any other Brits .
We have tried various machines and the same problem occurs . After selecting an amount the machine gives us the option of - checking account , savings account , credit card account - as to which account we would like to take the money out of . We have tried all options but machine says not possible on this card. We both hold current accounts at different banks - NatWest and Bank of Scotland .
cheers for any advice !
I live in Bali and can easily help you out, however your "bio" tells me that your name is Ruby and that you come from Laos. This has got me confused.
Why would you want to ask "other Brits" ?
Is "Brit" a local expression for people from Laos ?
Are Nat West and Bank of Scotland two of the larger banks in Laos?
If I was not so confused, I would drive to you hotel tomorrow and help you out.
Obviously there is a serious question regarding whether the OPer is from or living in Laos.
Don't know, but maybe the amount You want to withdraw is too much.
That's what happened to me in Thailand. There the max is about 400 euro's.
Hope this helps
hah! That's why I ALWAYS say never rely on a bank card.
I had problems last year with BOTH of my Nationwide cards.
Neither the banks in Malaysia or the UK were able to explain it. Luckily I had Travellers Cheques and local currency on me as back up
Have had similar problems in the past and sadly the only solution was persistence and trying lots of different ATMs. But I also discovered on returning home that I was being charged loads for each withdrawl I could actually make.
In the past in SEA I have had to take an 'other' option prior to the account type menu the OP mentioned when using overseas cards. This leads to similar options but it worked for me -- It is some time ago now so I can't remember the details. (I don't remember having to do this the last time I was there.) If you ask for too much money it usually comes up with a message saying so -- not wrong type of card. BTW -- does it say Cirrus on the ATM? My card in Oz also says Cirrus and it works but I think the card is also linked to Mastercard.
Paul
I have never used an ATM Card anywhere in the World. I just don't trust the machines and don't want to pay the 3 percent surcharge for "international currency exchange transactions". It's CASH dollars, AM EX travelers checks which get almost as good as CASH on Bali in denominations of U.S. $ 100, and 2 credit cards to be used ONLY in case of emergencies. It works for me.
Don't you think there are hidden charges in TCs? Also I had a dealer slip some $20 TCs away in Bali a few years ago (plus had a rigged calculator) -- I was able to cancel the Cs and make enough fuss to get my money back so had no loss but it was unpleasant and inconvenient as I was leaving later that day. I still have some left for emergencies. ATMs are more convenient at odd hours. (Just my thoughts.)
The OP was asking about ATMS though so TCs are not relevant.
Paul
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