Any experience using Bluebird in foreign ATMs?
May 23, 2013, 8:46 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MCO
Programs: AA 1MM, BA, UA, HH Dia, CC Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 795
May 24, 2013, 8:27 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA, BA, CX, DL, EK, F9, GA, HA, IB, JL, KE, LH, MH, NH, OS, PG, QR, RJ, SA, TG, UA, VN, WN, ZH
Posts: 927
Couldn't get it to work with Vietcombank ATMs in Vietnam earlier this year. I didn't feel like calling them half-way rtw since I have other no-fee option to withdrawal cash.
May 24, 2013, 11:14 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), Star Alliance Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,194
May 24, 2013, 11:22 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Anaheim Hills, CA
Programs: UA 1K, 1.3mm
Posts: 918
Check with BB with regard to banks associated with their network. They gave me a list of ATM's to look for when I was in Italy.
Also be aware if you have accessed 10k from your account via bill pay or ATM you have reached your monthly limit.
Also be aware if you have accessed 10k from your account via bill pay or ATM you have reached your monthly limit.
May 24, 2013, 6:16 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Georgia
Programs: AA, UA, DL, BA, HH, IHG
Posts: 155
I just used it in a grocery store and in the SAQ (provincial wine store). I swiped it and it went through like a credit card,in that I didn't need to input my pin. This surprised me. BTW I am in Montreal.
May 30, 2013, 12:05 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: jax
Programs: AA Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 192
Has anyone determined which network(s) are officially supported by Bluebird?
Any idea if they use AMEX's exchange rates?
I called Bluebird and their first response was: any ATM where American Express is supported. They believed the exchange rate is the same as AMEX but I think they were guessing.
I was put on hold and they told me the network (for my trip to Europe) should be Equens. They also gave me the name of a local bank (ABN - AMRO). It's nice they'll look this up for customers in advance.
For those who could not use their cards at Foreign ATMs, I would imagine the ATM did not support American Express but instead supported the typical networks linked to Visa and MasterCard. Does anyone have a different experience?
AFAIK, the MoneyPass network is only available in the US. This is the only fee-free network. My understanding is that all other networks will incur a $2 fee but no additional foreign transaction fee.
Any idea if they use AMEX's exchange rates?
I called Bluebird and their first response was: any ATM where American Express is supported. They believed the exchange rate is the same as AMEX but I think they were guessing.
I was put on hold and they told me the network (for my trip to Europe) should be Equens. They also gave me the name of a local bank (ABN - AMRO). It's nice they'll look this up for customers in advance.
For those who could not use their cards at Foreign ATMs, I would imagine the ATM did not support American Express but instead supported the typical networks linked to Visa and MasterCard. Does anyone have a different experience?
AFAIK, the MoneyPass network is only available in the US. This is the only fee-free network. My understanding is that all other networks will incur a $2 fee but no additional foreign transaction fee.
May 31, 2013, 8:51 am
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Georgia
Programs: AA, UA, DL, BA, HH, IHG
Posts: 155
No fee added. They just converted Can $ to US $ at close to the official exchange rate.
No ATM love anywhere in Montreal. When I got home I called to see if there was a problem with my card or if I was just using the wrong kinds of ATM's. They had no record of my trying to use different ATMs. They did not tell me if any ATM's in Montreal accepted their card.
It is good to know that you can call them ahead of travel and they can let you know which ATM's to use. I will do this next time I am out of the country, but will take a back-up card just in case!
The Bluebird site has a way to search for ATM's in the US, but not overseas.
No ATM love anywhere in Montreal. When I got home I called to see if there was a problem with my card or if I was just using the wrong kinds of ATM's. They had no record of my trying to use different ATMs. They did not tell me if any ATM's in Montreal accepted their card.
It is good to know that you can call them ahead of travel and they can let you know which ATM's to use. I will do this next time I am out of the country, but will take a back-up card just in case!
The Bluebird site has a way to search for ATM's in the US, but not overseas.
May 31, 2013, 9:14 am
#28
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA, BA, CX, DL, EK, F9, GA, HA, IB, JL, KE, LH, MH, NH, OS, PG, QR, RJ, SA, TG, UA, VN, WN, ZH
Posts: 927
May 31, 2013, 9:22 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: jax
Programs: AA Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 192
When you change countries, the page will refresh and show the networks supported in that country near the bottom of the page.
Jun 1, 2013, 8:01 am
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Georgia
Programs: AA, UA, DL, BA, HH, IHG
Posts: 155
Please continue to post success/failure with your BB ATM overseas withdrawals. Thanks everyone.