I have never been much of an ATM user, but will be traveling to Shanghai soon and have come to the conclusion that the best way to get money when traveling internationally is by using an ATM, so I signed up for a personal savings accounts with HSBC after reading that they had international no-fee ATM transactions. But since then I have read many conflicting remarks about HSBC ATM services, ranging from the horrible to the glorious. I am hoping there is someone out there with personal experience using HSBC ATMS who can clarify things.

Has anybody who has a personal savings account with HSBC had success using an HSBC ATM card in Shanghai?

In one place I have now read: "Some countries worldwide do not allow for withdrawal from a savings account at an ATM." Is this the case with China, or no?

I also read there is an "account statement update" charge of $1 per transaction, but I am assuming the account statement update is optional?

Thanks in advance to all repliers.