ATM machines in Spain

[Mobilvetta]

Hi I have used the Halifax Clarity credit card as well as the Nationwide flex Plus card in the past to draw cash out of ATMs whilst abroad.

I was in Spain in June and used this method for drawing cash out of Bankia ATMs as it did not charge you a fee and it also allowed you to make the transaction in Euros for my own bank to do the conversion rate. I am back in Spain now and went to the Bankia ATM that I used in June, but this time it wanted to charge me €1.80 for the transaction and also do the dynamic conversion into pounds were the rate was €1.07 to the pound, very poor, usually you get the option to change this for my own bank to do the conversion, but it wouldn't allow this.

I cancelled the transaction. Does anyone know of any other banks in Spain that don't charge for using there ATMs with the UK cards that I have with me.

 

[iampatman]

We’ve also discovered this winter that the Spanish banks are charging a fee using ATMs for withdrawals with the Halifax clarity card. Strangely enough the only one we’ve found in the area which doesn’t charge is the Bankia machine in Puerto de Mazarron. Charges from other banks range between €2.49 and €5.40 per transaction.

Pat

 

[Jenrai]

We’ve also discovered this winter that the Spanish banks are charging a fee using ATMs for withdrawals with the Halifax clarity card. Strangely enough the only one we’ve found in the area which doesn’t charge is the Bankia machine in Puerto de Mazarron. Charges from other banks range between €2.49 and €5.40 per transaction.

Pat

You can always get a current account with the UK Metro bank. They charge no transaction fee for cash withdrawals or purchases in Europe. I have just swapped to there account.

https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/bank-accounts/products/current-account/

Also taking cash out using a credit card may affect your credit rating.

 

[Wooie1958]

Does anyone know if this applies to the Caxton FX card as well ?

We have the Halifax Clarity but only use it for fuel and never draw cash on it, all other purchases and ATM withdrawals come off the Caxton FX card.

 

[BKen2]

You can always get a current account with the UK Metro bank. They charge no transaction fee for cash withdrawals or purchases in Europe. I have just swapped to there account.

https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/bank-accounts/products/current-account/

Also taking cash out using a credit card may affect your credit rating.

Is it not the case that its the Spanish banks that are charging not your UK bank .???? Which ever card you use .

 

[antiquesam]

I was using a Caxton FX card in October in Seville and Granada without a charge. The card was loaded with Euro's.

 

[Deleted member 9237]

Well we got to earn some money from you ritch lot coming over here :lol-049::lol-049::lol-049:

 

[bilbao camper]

Spanish banks banks have started charging for a lot of services that used to be free due to the low Euro interest rate and low profits

 

[BKen2]

I was using a Caxton FX card in October in Seville and Granada without a charge. The card was loaded with Euro's.

Spanish banks have cottened on to these free transactions and started charging ---

 

[John H]

Used my Halifax Card at a Cajamar machine in Almeria last week - no charge.

 

[5andy]

We haven’t been charged using our Santander Select Card in Santander cash machines but for the first time ever were charged using our We Swap card. Luckily we don’t not use it much in Spain, we only have it loaded with 200€ as a plan B.

 

[Mobilvetta]

Used my Halifax Card at a Cajamar machine in Almeria last week - no charge.

Thanks for the heads up, there is one of these in the next town, I will give it a go.

 

[Mobilvetta]

We haven’t been charged using our Santander Select Card in Santander cash machines but for the first time ever were charged using our We Swap card. Luckily we don’t not use it much in Spain, we only have it loaded with 200€ as a plan B.

There is a Santander in our town, but I don't use Santander in the UK unfortunately and I don't get back to the UK until Xmas so it would be to.late to open an account before we head over to Europe again.

 

[Mobilvetta]

You can always get a current account with the UK Metro bank. They charge no transaction fee for cash withdrawals or purchases in Europe. I have just swapped to there account.

https://www.metrobankonline.co.uk/bank-accounts/products/current-account/

Also taking cash out using a credit card may affect your credit rating.

Thanks but the cards I use don't charge a fee for cash withdrawals, but it is the Spanish banks who seem to be imposing charges were they used to be free.

 

[Mobilvetta]

I was using a Caxton FX card in October in Seville and Granada without a charge. The card was loaded with Euro's.

What was the rate you were offered like compared to the interbank rate when you exchanged UK pounds for euros to load the card with.

 

[John H]

Thanks for the heads up, there is one of these in the next town, I will give it a go.

Update - used another Cajamar machine in Almeria today and there was no charge. In fact, since arriving in Spain in mid-October, we have not had any charges on cash withdrawals, though I can't remember how many different machines we have used from Barcelona to Almeria.

 

[Deleted member 58274]

....yeah cajamar good....bancamarch good too....Maja

 

[Mobilvetta]

....yeah cajamar good....bancamarch good too....Maja

I was in Alicante yesterday and withdrew money out of a BancaMarch cash machine and pleased to advise there was no charge and it gave me the option of being charged in Euros as opposed to them doing the conversion to pounds. Thank you

 

[Wooie1958]

What was the rate you were offered like compared to the interbank rate when you exchanged UK pounds for euros to load the card with.

With Caxton it is 0.03 € below the Interbank rate at the time of loading, the amount of euros loaded then stays on the card for as long as.

There after purchases and cash withdrawals have no fees unless the individual ATM charges a fee.

 

[Mobilvetta]

With Caxton it is 0.03 € below the Interbank rate at the time of loading, the amount of euros loaded then stays on the card for as long as.

There after purchases and cash withdrawals have no fees unless the individual ATM charges a fee.

My card has no fees,and gives you the Mastercard interbank rate, but unfortunately it is the foreign cash machines wanting to charge you a service charge for using them, I try to avoid the ones that charge and was successful thanks to the recommendation from another member who posted above. Bankia bank machines used to be free, now they want to charge you €1.75 which is cheaper than many others, the highest I've seen is a €5 service charge.