I think you misunderstood me.
Remember, what a bank says it can do vs. what it actually does can sometimes
be two different things. My bank (Commerce Bank) is a very good bank in all
my day-to-day affairs. It's local, low/no fees & there is some level of a
relationship developed - but it was still hard to get things done easily
when I was stuck. In the end, they did help but it was hard let's say.
Having 2 or more separate accounts is not the solution. You have to *fund*
those accounts and it is not easy to transfer money between two different
U.S. banks - and definitely not fast.
The point is, when you travel, things have to work fast! When the machine
ate my ATM card, I had to pay cash to vendors with open mouths! I'm not
talking about a couple hundred dollars - it was more than that. Even if I
have two separate accounts, it is impractical to fund them with good size
bank balances.
Even 48 hours is ridiculously slow. I think whoever says that is acceptable
has not been in an actual situation. 48 hours is 2 days, an eternity when
one has no cash all of as sudden!
That's why Western Union exists so successfully alongside banks. Instant
access to money is really that: instantly. That means when you need money,
you should have it available to you within a couple of hours of asking or
maximum, the same day (if requested in normal business hours).
When you are in a situation that asks your bank to perform, you will see
that your bank may not be all that it says it is. That's what I found out.
In my comment that it is not easy to get access to your own money, I meant
*aside* from ATMs. Do a test next time you travel, ask your bank to send you
some money and see what happens. How they may respond could be very scary!
PS::: I wasn't too far from Slovenia where I got stuck -- and they and
Slovenia have hundreds of Western Union offices that give out money all the
time, even some of the remote Eastern European villages have a Western Union
office somewhere relatively near by.
That's why I originally asked about using Western Union to wire money to
*yourself*, so see if is an option or not.
I will try it and share my results. At least I'll know then if that is ever
and option or not.
-Brett
"John L" wrote in message
news:eb0a0b$pki$1@xuxa.iecc.com...
> >I tried the "extra" ATM card, but these are ATM cards with Visa logos on
>>them. They will not issue a duplicate ATM card to my name (i know it's
>>crazy). I can have a duplicate in a family member's name or any other
>>name,
>>but not an extra card. This is the policy with my bank at least.
>
> Perhaps your dog would like an ATM card. I have five ATM cards linked
> to five accounts at four different banks in two countries that I have
> for various purposes. I admit that's kind of extreme, but two accounts
> is quite manageable.
>
>>But what I have really learned is that it is very difficult and
>>costly to get access to your *own* money if you are not sitting in
>>front of a teller at you local branch!
>
> You must have an unusually dreadful bank. My experience has been that
> I stick my card into an ATM anywhere from New Zealand to Morocco to
> Canada, and money comes out, and except in North America the ATM owner
> doesn't charge you anything. If cost is an issue, you're going to
> hate Western Union who charge $43 to send $500 to Europe.
>
> For anyone looking for a US account with an ATM card, I have had very
> good experiences with HSBC's online savings account. No fees, no
> minimum balance, pays 5.05% interest, free online transfers to and
> from your accounts at other banks, and they give you an ATM card. You
> can use the card to make no-fee withdrawals at any ATM anywhere.
> (Well, if the ATM you use charges a fee, you have to pay that.) If
> you use it at an HSBC ATM, even outside the US, it will tell you your
> balance in US$. See www.hsbcdirect.com.
>
> R's,
> John
>
>
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