Any experience using Bluebird in foreign ATMs?
Mar 7, 2014, 7:55 am
#46
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: I'm not sure myself..
Programs: AA Plat, DL Silver, MR Plat, nobody everywhere else
Posts: 281
Where in HK? I was in HK in May of 2013 and could not find an ATM anywhere that would accept it (though hotels/restaurants did).
Mar 7, 2014, 8:00 am
#47
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 829
I don't follow this myself as amuse Schwab but this thread reports that ATM withdrawals through BNP now are hit with a 3% fee:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...a-anymore.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...a-anymore.html
I did not know that.
Closing BofA account shortly, no reason to keep it anymore.
Mar 7, 2014, 9:50 am
#48
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
I just used my BB card at a Westpac ATM in Sydney, Australia. The ATM charges a AU$2.00 fee (in addition to the US$2.00 fee charged by BB). The exchange rate was the best market rate that day.
In contrast, I also used my SunTrust Debit MasterCard at the same ATM. This time the ATM charged NO fee (and neither does my bank for the type of checking account I have). But SunTrust adds a 3% surcharge to the best market rate, so the net result was nearly identical. I ended up using my SunTrust Debit MasterCard for the remainder of my ATM withdrawals.
I checked the ATM fees in Sydney at several banks. All charge a AU$2.00 fee for BB withdrawals. All (except Westpac) charge a AU$2.00 fee for SunTrust Debit MC withdrawals. Westpac has agreements with several foreign banks to not charge a fee for ATM card withdrawals using the foreign bank's debit card. Apparently, SunTrust must be one of them (although it's not on the list posted at the ATM).
In contrast, I also used my SunTrust Debit MasterCard at the same ATM. This time the ATM charged NO fee (and neither does my bank for the type of checking account I have). But SunTrust adds a 3% surcharge to the best market rate, so the net result was nearly identical. I ended up using my SunTrust Debit MasterCard for the remainder of my ATM withdrawals.
I checked the ATM fees in Sydney at several banks. All charge a AU$2.00 fee for BB withdrawals. All (except Westpac) charge a AU$2.00 fee for SunTrust Debit MC withdrawals. Westpac has agreements with several foreign banks to not charge a fee for ATM card withdrawals using the foreign bank's debit card. Apparently, SunTrust must be one of them (although it's not on the list posted at the ATM).
Mar 7, 2014, 9:55 am
#49
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
Don't use the Post Office ATMS. The 7-ELEVEN stores all have fee-free ATMS that accept BB. The only fee you will pay is the $2.00 ATM fee from BB. I used BB successfully at those ATMS a year ago.
Mar 7, 2014, 10:04 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
There is absolutely no reason to use the actual physical BB card for anything other than cash withdrawals. By using it at a hotel or restaurant, you have chosen to decline the miles or points you could have earned using a no forex fee Rewards CC (like Amex Platinum, IHG Rewards Visa, Hyatt Visa, CitiAAdvantage Executive MasterCard, etc.).
Mar 10, 2014, 2:47 pm
#53
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 350
Mar 16, 2014, 2:39 pm
#56
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: Yes.
Posts: 516
In JP now, BB works great at 8-11 but hasn't worked at any other atm I've tried (incl citi and a few local)
Mar 17, 2014, 5:54 am
#57
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 5,015
Mar 17, 2014, 9:24 am
#58
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