When traveling, either locally or overseas, one of the issues you are most likely to face aside from culture shock and language barrier is your money. The fastest and easiest solution to your financial dilemma would be the ATM in the airport where you landed. However, using teller machines in a foreign country can be confusing if not challenging. To help you out with your problem, here are some tips you can follow:
6 Useful Tips You Must Know When Using ATM Machine at Airport
1. Call or Inform your Local Bank in Advance of your Travel
By calling or informing your local bank in advance, you can be accommodated with the services provided by overseas or foreign banks that are in partnership with your local bank. You can also ask your bank some questions in advance with regards to your travel so you won’t have a hard time figuring out matters as you land in the airport. You can also ask if your bank has an actual ATM cash machine in the foreign country you will be flying to.
2. See if the Foreign ATM Machine is Affiliated with your Bank
If you are currently in the airport and find yourself in front of an ATM cash machine, don’t just whip out your card and start withdrawing cash. Always ask or know if the current ATM machine is affiliated with your local bank back home. Chances are, if both banks are not affiliated, your card might not get recognized, or you will be paying a hefty amount of service charge.
3. Be Aware of Fees or Charges
Since you will be flying to a foreign country, fees and service charges are inevitable, especially when you are at the airport. This is why it is very important to follow tip #1. If you are not familiar with the foreign country or you are not sure of the bank affiliations, you may get shocked or confused why your ATM cash machine deducts fees from your account. By being aware of the possible service fees or charges, you can budget your money wisely and can trace back your withdrawn money without wondering where your money went.
4. ATM Card Pin code Length Issue
ATM card pin codes can either be a 4-digit pin or a 6-digit pin. Each bank varies in this area. To be sure if a 4-digit pin ATM card can work in a 6-digit ATM cash machine and vice versa, ask your bank in advance. 4-digit pins should and would usually work on 6-digit pin ATM cash machines but if it doesn’t, there is a life-hack for that. All you have to do is add 2 zeroes before your 4-digit pin and that should do the trick.
5. Ask your Bank to Raise your Withdrawal Limit if Needed
If you are on a holiday, it is best to contact your bank a few weeks or days before your trip to adjust your withdrawal limit. This is because currency exchange policies or cash withdrawal policies in foreign countries can be drastically different from what you are used to. By doing so, you can lessen the hassle of your trip and ensure smooth sailing transactions every single time.
6. Use your ATM card with Caution
Anywhere you go, even in the airport, always be cautious with your ATM card. Always check the ATM for any bugs or attached gadgets that might be used to steal your ATM transaction information. Most likely, you should check the key (if the machine does not have a touchscreen feature) if it moves or rocks a bit. If it does, it could be bugged and it might be the best option to find another machine in the airport.
How to Find ATM Machines at Any Airports
Although most airports house many ATM machines, it might still be challenging to find one, especially if you are new to the place. Here are some tips you can follow to help you locate ATM cash machines in the airport.
1. Search or ask in advance online
Find any ATM machines inside airport by going to our homepage and simply typing your destination, airport name or code or going through the country lists. If your bank offers online banking or online chat customer service, asking in advance can help you a lot.
2. Typical locations inside airport
ATM cash machines at the airport are usually located at both the arrival area and the departure area. Teller machines are strategically placed on these areas as people are more likely to need to withdraw cash as they arrive at the airport for transportation budget or before they leave. In order to be sure, asking your bank in advance or confirming through ATM locators is a better way to go.
3. Ask the customer service at the airport
Apart from online help and asking your bank, you can always approach the friendly personnel at the customer service desks of the airport. Surely, they do know how to address your problem. Language won’t be a problem here since most customer service personnel in airports are adept in speaking English to accommodate people who speak the universal language.
Prepare for your next travels outside the country by following the tips mentioned above. It is best to always understand your bank rules and regulations when traveling in order to avoid confusion and unwanted charges. Bon voyage on your trip and have safe money transactions!