tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post1732750723193292410..comments2024-03-18T23:27:37.733+00:00Comments on Jean's Knitting: Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12038517988391228260noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-19781149914998736532017-12-19T13:06:26.297+00:002017-12-19T13:06:26.297+00:00Yes agreed - only use "real" bank ATMs i...Yes agreed - only use "real" bank ATMs in airports!<br />LisaRRAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-23421592756633433522017-12-19T09:23:40.619+00:002017-12-19T09:23:40.619+00:00Ugh, “charge you fees.” I attest that I DO know ho...Ugh, “charge you fees.” I attest that I DO know how to proofread, but in my phone, it feels like a lost cause. Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01432492923545133462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-20244584822026704652017-12-19T09:22:27.600+00:002017-12-19T09:22:27.600+00:00Jean, do be careful with ATMs. I realize that you ...Jean, do be careful with ATMs. I realize that you and your family have more than a little knowledge about world travel, so this advice may be redundant, but I will post it in case it is useful. My experience (at the close of my fourth month of this stint in Rome):<br /><br />Airport ATMs tend not to be “real” ones. They are more likely to be money-exchange machines masquerading as ATMs, and will change you feed accordingly, in addition to whatever your home bank charges. Avoid except for dire emergencies — and it sounds as if your time spent under the dome today will cover your immediate needs.<br /><br />Real ATMs, on the street and in banks: Overall, safe and fine. Will charge fees that, for me as a US bank customer, are on par with or less than what I would be charged for using an ATM in the States Owens by a bank other than my own. Do make sure to shield the keypad as you enter your PIN number. Our last time in Rome, my husband’s number was “skimmed” from an ATM in the heart of the city. All ended well, by we had 48 hours of stress. <br /><br />For whatever reason, we have not been able in Rome to use ATMs at BNP and DeutscheBank locations. Italian banks (Monte Paschi di Siena, Credit Agricola, etc.) have been fine. <br /><br />Also — just in case, because I do not know if British banks and credit card companies are quite so mercenary as US ones — do check to see if your credit cards accrue foreign transaction fees. Mine vary from 1.5% to zero. Guess which card I use?Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01432492923545133462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-56331030952198570642017-12-18T23:16:16.304+00:002017-12-18T23:16:16.304+00:00Late to the party, but you could consider a "...Late to the party, but you could consider a "cash card" for your Italian trip. They are available from many places, including Thomas Cook and, I think, the local post office. It is possible to transfer money onto the card where it sits in Euros until accessed through an Italian ATM. If you don't use it all up, you can transfer the money back out. There may be a fee, but it is probably less than the bank will charge. My bank charges a pound for each transaction in a foreign currency, plus a small percentage - which can all add up, very quickly - and the exchange rate is usually not very good. It is very convenient to be able to access your main bank account though, in case of suddenly needing to buy something, as can happen. LizMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17236147334939640291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8466385.post-8270066741794309842017-12-18T22:59:21.441+00:002017-12-18T22:59:21.441+00:00I feel for you Jean, on your excursions around Edi...I feel for you Jean, on your excursions around Edinburgh. I am having enough trouble arond here and this is South Lincolnshire, where the only thing flatter would be the surface of the sea!jeanfromcornwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10062674591619616456noreply@blogger.com