ATM Fees?

[Seveen]

i use the ATM and just suck up the charges

the money changers charge a fee too - the bank usually gives the best exchange rate

using US dollars in Jamaica is like playing 3 card monte lol - pay in US, get your change in JA --- can you do the math? on Red Stripe?

[captaind & Linston]

i can you do the math? on Red Stripe?

Easy... it's statute miles to nautical miles 1.15 statute per nautical mile. Been doing it all my life!

I just got back back and I'm in a jocular mood.

Cap

[Lola]

Just making another plug for Schwab's free checking account/debit card. They refund ALL Atm fees and don't charge currency conversion.

[Babalew]

scotia is free if you have a bank of america card, otherwise its 5$ fee. also boa now charges foreign exchange fee on ja currency. i usually withdraw us and go to cambrio. ncr does not charge a fee for ja funds.

[Mike_D]

If interested, Capital One 360 checking account uses Allpoint ATM's, which are what are in Jamaica so there are no charges. I personally have never used the atm's, but am going to this year. Capital One checking is free so if your willing to open one, it is like Bank of America used to be.

Tell me more. Where are the Allpoint ATMs in Negril (Scotia, NCB or somewhere else)? My local bank in Philly is part of the Allpoint network, so this is good news to me!

[Captain Oil]

Find a way to cheaply convert your US dollars into Jamaican dollars (Bank or Cambio) and pay for most things in Jamaican dollars.

ATM's charge a service charge which can vary but $5US or more per transaction is not unheard of. Your bank may charge a ATM fee AND a foreign transaction fee which can run from zero to 15%.

The exchange rate you get at a restaurant or bar will always be less then a bank or cambio. For example, beers on the beach can cost $150 to $400 Jamaican. You only have US dollars? They may charge you $1.50 to $4.00US. Might not seem like much, but with an exchange rate of $115 JA to $1US you just paid $230JA for a $200JA beer.

Total those savings and it is a easy 15% - 25% savings just in simple currency management.

[Nurse Marcia]

NCB wasn't charging a fee in April. Many Credit Unions don't have ATM fees. So using an NCB ATM with the right card = no fees.