Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 22 Jul 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 619
Which card for Morocco?

I have read that some UK debit cards are not recognized by Moroccan ATM's. Advice is to take at least two different ones and try them at once. How about feedback on which banks' cards have been OK and which unuseable? This could be useful for all visitors. Linzi.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 22 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Bristol UK
Posts: 454
LloydsTSB Visa debit card worked fine.

Even a Thomas Cook travelcard worked everytime we used it. I cant see you having any problems with a Visa card of some description.

G
__________________
Land Rover D90
www.Siroccoverland.com | Follow us on Facebook
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Hi Linzi,
From my experience, Visa is the way to go in North Africa. It wont work absolutely everywhere, but i believe it gives you a better chance than with Maestro.

Happy travels
Sam
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Jul 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 619
Take a chance.

Hi, as Abba sang, "Take a chance". I have an Alliance and Leicester account with VISA card. My concern is relying totally on this one card to access my account. I asked Alliance if they'd had any customers have trouble and they gave me a phone number to use which was no use--not comforting in the least! I'll have to head off with an emergency fund of £600 and either have the card work or negotiate to get money out to me. Far from ideal comes to mind. All other possible problems pale for me compared to this need to rely on plastic. Need to work harder on that proposed bank robbery then! Linzi.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 22 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hanoi, Vietnam
Posts: 360
Can you get a credit card.....plan not to use it, but if you do really need it for some unforseen event, it's there

Sam
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 549
Play your cards right!

Hi Linzi,

Lloyds Visa debit too. I think it also depends on whose cash machine you use. Credit Agricole are usually pretty good and I've never had a problem with the Attijariwafa (Bank of Squiggles)

To be honest, I have more problems in the UK. I can travel with my card all over North Africa without a hitch but at home I'll get a random "security block". Go figure...

Happy trails,

Jojo
__________________
Atlas Overland - Specialist adventure tour company providing off-road holidays for 4x4 enthusiasts in Europe and North Africa.
Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 Jul 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 619
Playing the joker.

Hi Niva, read all the small print on credit cards and let's say they and I have different agendas! If I have real problems and use a credit card I'd be scared of not being able to pay back card before millions of percentage interest cut in. I'll just have to take a big chance. I just thought that problems with different cards might depend on the bank rather than VISA versus Maestro. Linzi.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Jul 2009
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,078
Where did you read this? Please post a link.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live,"
Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23 Jul 2009
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 619
Concerns.

Hi Tim, I read it in Chris Scott's superb reference book, Morocco Overland. Most others will be able to take his advice of taking more than one card. My concerns are due to using a bike that's not properly prepared which I am fully aware of, having only the one debit card-from a company I don't trust and having had a card blocked or declined before. I simply don't have enough money to do this trip in a reponsible and safe way. I've postponed this trip too many times now but I can only do it if nothing goes wrong. I don't know if it's foolhardy or if we're too cautious these days. I can't forget the spirit of Thor Heyerdahl on his epic sea voyages on Kon-Tiki and Ra. This is nothing in comparison with the risks he took. Linzi.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 23 Jul 2009
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
You should always have different cards from different banks in case one stops working, you damage it, lose it etc etc.

This is common sense when you go overseas. Eggs all in one basket etc.

I have visa debt cards from 3 different UK banks and they all work fine in Morocco.

If you have no luck with a card, just find a ATM from a different bank.
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 23 Jul 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Crewkerne
Posts: 6
One thing I found with my Barclays Visa debit card is that certain ATMs can have a bad moment and not accept your card. I found this mostly with Credit Agricole/Credit du Maroc, but there were others.
Fortunately, this only happened in Marrakech and Taroudant, where there was always an alternative ATM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 23 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 194
The only issue I’ve had is that the ATM’s seem to limit the amount you were able to withdraw. From memory the equivalent to around £60 at a time. As there were 6 of us on the last trip I ended up having to use multiple cards (including credit cards) to draw money out when ever I found a working ATM.

I also thought it would be a good idea to take a couple of Post Office Travel money cards which are supposed to act like a Visa Debit card. They’ve ended up being a complete nightmare to load up with credit. You can’t do it online and the phone service is C**P. 70% of the time you end up going through all the security stuff only to be told that either their computer system is down and to call back later or the debit card you are attempting to use in order to load the card up has been declined


Seems like take a pile of Euro’s and or multiple cards.


Russ
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 24 Jul 2009
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 376
I personally use the Post Office credit card, as it is one of the cheapest for overseas use ( I travel a lot with work). Chosen because of this site:

Cheap Travel Money: Pick the right plastic to spend abroad...

No idea if its any use in Morocco - I'll find out in October!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 27 Jul 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 4
I was just in Morocco doing a loop of the country and used a Maestro card in several cities with no issues.

You definitely need cash as I struggled to find many places that would take credit card (my experience was large hotels and certain restaurants). And Visa and Mastercard more accepted then Diners / American Express.

So if you are planning to use your Maestro through ATMs, I would say no problems, it worked for me.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 4 Aug 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 21
we had total ATM chaos in Morocco this year

out of 8 people with 2 cards each, there were 4 cards that worked reliably, 4 cards that would work in some ATMs and 8 cards that never worked.

The issue seemed to be that a certain number of ATMs asked what type of account you wanted to draw money from, and no account type equalled the one that would release money!

some ATMs just said transactino declined and call to UK banks confirmed that there was no block on the cards!
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Green Card Morocco/Western Sahara Andy_C Trip Paperwork 1 22 Jul 2009 12:31
Bank Card and money in Morocco - Mauretania detnol North Africa 4 20 May 2008 18:53
Green card for Morocco - explain please men8ifr North Africa 8 20 Mar 2008 17:11
Green card required for Morocco ? Cbrpad North Africa 21 7 Nov 2003 02:12
Green card extended from Europe to Morocco? Abi Trip Transport 3 2 Aug 2001 19:13

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:55.