Moneys ???

So it goes like this. My mon, sissy and her husband will be joining me in Jamaica in march. My sister uses her debit card for everything. what is the best way for her to exchange money with her debit card. I normally do not use much CC in Jamaica. I exchange US at the cambio and good to go. So she can go to the ATM and get cash. Is this cash paid out in J or American $$$. If it pays out in American she would then need to go to a cambio to exchange. And how about any charges for using the ATM, is this only a charge from her bank if there is one. Any other tips or tricks would be appreciated

Thanks much

We have used our debit cards at the ATMs to get Jamaican Currency for the past few years. Using JA money is easier and the ATMs give a good exchange rate. Our Credit Union does not have a charge. I would suggest calling her bank to let them know that she is going so they don't flag her transactions as possible fraud.

Card charges for ATM use vary. The VISA network charges 1% of the transaction, called an "across the border" fee. Whatever! The ATM that is used will also charge a fee, usually $ 2 or $ 3 just like anywhere else. You can get either JA or US dollars from the ATMs by the Scotia Bank. Always call your financial institutions to let them know you are traveling outside the country so they won't deny your usage.

ATM, withdraw JA dollars. Scotia is the only ATM where I am charged by the machine for the transaction. However, Scotia has 2 ATM's that can dispense Either US or JA dollars.

I use my debit card in Ja. I did have one problem once when the Visa lines went down for about a day and ATM's couldn't complete Visa transactions. We had no money and only Visa cards so we eventualy ended up at the bank and they were able to process a paper transaction. We basically lost a whole afternoon running to different ATM's and waiting at the bank. My suggestion is take out as much as possible while can and don't rely on the ATM's being available 100% of the time.

If she has a Bank of America debit card, there are no transaction fees at Scotia ATMs...so I've read. I'm from Canada and use my Scotia card to withdraw JMD and have no fees.

I've never had a problem.

17 trips since my return in 2010. ATM every time

I even use it to send money.

Cap

Debit card is IMHO the best to use anywhere traveling internationally (but always have a little cash backup). Only use the bank ATM's or something at a store like Mega Mart, Hi Lo, etc. She will have the option to withdraw the money in JA or US. I always use the currency of the country I am in.
If they have large sum in their account just setup another account like through a credit union with the amount they expect to spend plus a little more. If they were to use the card some place like a gift shop, restaurant (NEVER DO IT) and someone did a digital copy they would only have access to that smaller amount not their whole bank account.
As someone else mentioned be sure they contact the bank to let the bank know the travel dates and where they will be otherwise they may have no access with the debit card.

I usually just bring cash and change it at Cambio, then use the bank machine to get out JA money when I need more. I always advise my bank and credit card before I'm in JA so there will be no holds on my accounts.

It's so nice to see the exchange rate up, it's so much easier to figure out what everything costs, basically $1 Canadian or US = $100 Jamaican.

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Originally Posted by Melody

If she has a Bank of America debit card, there are no transaction fees at Scotia ATMs...so I've read. I'm from Canada and use my Scotia card to withdraw JMD and have no fees.

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Unfortunately this recently changed. I was charged $8.77 when pulling out 30,000JMD each transaction, and I believe the ATM also had a fee. This was using my BofA debit card two weeks ago on several occasions.

Oh shoot, that's too bad. Thanks for sharing. Scotiabank was still good 3-4 weeks ago.