Atm?

X l ent I am considering bringing travellers checks this year as a precaution. They are not hard to cash in? I wanted to just bring my ATM but my bank charges fees and I can get travellers checks for ftee

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Originally Posted by Lola

ATM ATM ATM

Bring 2 debit cards if you have them, just in case. I once had a machine go dysfunctional and retain my card. A couple weeks ago I saw a pending bogus charge from The GAP in the USA on my account and the card was shut off when I reported it. In each case the bank express-shipped me a replacement card to JA for $15 postage.

Barb111, I was at that gas station on Monday. I used the one in the gas station building and got JA dollars. I don't recall if there was an option for US. There is also an ATM in its own building near the road (still by the gas station) next to the entrance for the Craft Market. I haven't used it for a couple years and I don't recall what it dispensed.

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Originally Posted by suzengrace

I always have some emergency cash on hand..Why?? sometimes the atm's are out of money or down..and if the current/electrcity is out that can also cause the atm machine to be down...(electricity going out is not an un-common occurence)

With that being said, i take 2 different atm cards...Just as Lola stated ,I've know a few people whos card got stuck-and its not as easy as going into the bank and retreiving it...Whole lotta hoops to jump through over many days and miles to get the atm card back...better to call your bank and shut it down and use your back -up....

I also have one credit card for ermgency/large exoenzes if necessary,,

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As do I because you never know if your bank will shut one down due to foreign transactions. Two different banks of course.

I always have USD but get Jamaican currency at the airport. Exchange rate is best if you pay in J.

I used to take traveler's cheques but there are now problems in the Cambios. They won't take them any more. The reason I was given is that they exchange them at the bank but the banks are refusing 3rd party cheques. So now I just take cash. I have an ATM card too but I'm lucky because it's a Scotia card from here with no charges at the Scotia bank.

You get a poor exchange rate at the airport.

the airport the worst for ex-change rates..go to a bank or cambio..and stat away from the hi-lo guys in the parking lot..they're very slight of the hand..lets say... (even if they give best rates-unless you know the con-game ...dont do) atm is the best way go..travelers cheques are becoming like the dinosaurs.....

ATMs worked well for us, but we never had them run out of money, no electricity, bank shutoff card, etc. This time I plan on bringing a fair amount more of USD (probably a day or two worth for some of you) and changing it all in Negril to JMD. I looked back at what we were charged to use the ATM, it was $3 for the local bank and $2.50 for my own bank plus 3%. That's $11.50 to pull out $200.

Hille141, most ATM's in Negril don't charge, but Scotia does, so try a different ATM and that will cut $3 for you.

Schwab offers a free checking account with a brokerage account (they will convert it to a sweep account if you don't trade) and they rebate ALL fees and don't charge foreign trx fees. Excellent service too.