Charles Schwab ATM/Debit card?
Jul 2, 2016, 7:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 14
Charles Schwab ATM/Debit card?
I am looking to open a checking account simply to use in Italy to get cash from an ATM. I would like to not incur any ATM transactions fees. I have researched "The Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking® account" and it appears to be a great one to join.
Anyone have any other ideas? Thoughts? Experience with Schwab?
Thanks.
Anyone have any other ideas? Thoughts? Experience with Schwab?
Thanks.
Jul 2, 2016, 11:29 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Somewhere between N.A. and S.E.A.
Programs: HHonors / UA M+ / TK M&S Elite
Posts: 370
I am looking to open a checking account simply to use in Italy to get cash from an ATM. I would like to not incur any ATM transactions fees. I have researched "The Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking® account" and it appears to be a great one to join.
Anyone have any other ideas? Thoughts? Experience with Schwab?
Thanks.
Anyone have any other ideas? Thoughts? Experience with Schwab?
Thanks.
Overall, it's been a great experience.
Jul 2, 2016, 12:17 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
I've been an account holder for about 5 years now and even made them my primary bank after all the good experience I've had. I do keep my foreign ATM receipts (or at least a photo of them) to make sure the ATM fee gets refunded. The few times it didn't automatically all it took was a very quick phone call to resolve. Their customer service is all US based and very friendly yet professional.
Jul 2, 2016, 5:56 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 14
Charles Schwab
Thanks everyone. Definitely sounds like the company to use.
I have another question for you seasoned travelers (I do appreciate your responses) ... do you ever bring euros with you (from the US) so that you don't have to get to an ATM immediately (like at the airport)? If so, how much? Can I get euros from Schwab?
I have another question for you seasoned travelers (I do appreciate your responses) ... do you ever bring euros with you (from the US) so that you don't have to get to an ATM immediately (like at the airport)? If so, how much? Can I get euros from Schwab?
Jul 2, 2016, 10:20 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,504
Schwab is awesome even if your travel is mostly domestic. I got it a few years back after a trip to Ohio where I discovered that BofA doesn't really have a presence there. No problems getting fees reimbursed here either.
They do a hard pull though to open your account, but I'd imagine that's not a problem for most FTers.
They do a hard pull though to open your account, but I'd imagine that's not a problem for most FTers.
Jul 3, 2016, 7:44 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: TPA
Programs: WP
Posts: 372
Thanks everyone. Definitely sounds like the company to use.
I have another question for you seasoned travelers (I do appreciate your responses) ... do you ever bring euros with you (from the US) so that you don't have to get to an ATM immediately (like at the airport)? If so, how much? Can I get euros from Schwab?
I have another question for you seasoned travelers (I do appreciate your responses) ... do you ever bring euros with you (from the US) so that you don't have to get to an ATM immediately (like at the airport)? If so, how much? Can I get euros from Schwab?
The Schwab ATM card comes in handy when you need to buy train tickets, since most ticket machines requires a pin and chip card, it works out well, saved me in CPH with a late arrival and no DKR in hand.
Jul 4, 2016, 6:08 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
State Farm bank reimburses up to $10 ATM fee / month. Unlimited if you have direct deposit set up. These include all ATM fees - $3 fees from Chase, $5 fees from gas station, $20 fees from strip clubs, 180 baht fees from Bangkok ATM, you name it. If it's not automatically reimbursed, give them a call/message and it'll be taken care of. But personally I have never had to contact them, the fee rebate has worked perfectly. Your money would also be supporting a smaller start up bank rather than the relative giant Schwab is.
Jul 4, 2016, 6:59 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 228
I would also say Schwab is a great way to go. I travel extensively in Latin America and have had all of my fees reimbursed for the past ~2 years. They reimburse at the end of each quarter - just as an FYI.
Jul 4, 2016, 9:19 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,504
Jul 4, 2016, 9:25 am
#15
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Tokyo
Posts: 28
+1 for Schwab. In Japan, it works (and gets reimbursed) at more ATM's than my other bank card that also gets ATM fee reimbursements.
Their exchange rate is pretty darn close to the market rate, and better than exchanging cash at a bank IIRC.
Their exchange rate is pretty darn close to the market rate, and better than exchanging cash at a bank IIRC.