Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > All Miscellaneous questions > Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else
Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 Sep 2006
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Can anyone recommend a bank/credit card for S/C/N Americas

Hi- not sure if this is the right place to find this out but I'm looking to open a second account and have a spare credit card to take on my trip to the Americas next month.

As I've got a current account mortgage, I don't want to bring that card with me so I'm planning on setting up a monthly standing order paid into a current account I have (Royal Bank of Scotland) in order to keep the balance fairly low but can transfer more if need be online and am also taking a Visa credit card.

I'm thinking it would be good to open a second account as a back-up in case I loose my cards so can anyone recommend a good bank that I can easily draw cash from ATMs etc.

Thanks
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 Sep 2006
Atwoke's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Northumberland, UK
Posts: 219
Visa and Visa Delta worked fine in Chile, Bolivia, and Peru.
__________________
You can never have too many bikes......

BMW R100GS
Triumph Tiger 885
Yamaha XT600e

Jens is gone, but not forgotten.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 Sep 2006
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,175
Smile Visa is fine everywhere I've been

I have a switch/Visa card (from Cahoot).

Everywhere I've been (central, north, south america, asia, north africa, middle east) I never had problems using it in ATM machines ... although sometimes it can be tricky finding the ATM machine!

Maybe if you're alone try get Cyrrus/Mastercard or something other than Visa so that if the Visa is refused the other will be ok? (just in case!) ... and a dash of travellers cheques as last resource (just in case again!) ... and some USD notes of course!

with all that I'm sure you'll be fine!
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Sep 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Mimbres, New Mexico, USA
Posts: 510
I am currently in Costa Rica, and I can tell you that in Mexico and Central America, I have used VISA credit cards and CIRRUS and PLUS ATM cards. The CIRRUS ATM did not work for me in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The PLUS card has worked everywhere, so far. Mastercard is also less widely accepted in those countries. Also be aware that in GT, HN, and Nica, some machines won´t accept a 6 digit PIN. Money has not been a hassle this trip at all. Ask me in 2 months about S. America.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Sep 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Shropshire, Blighty
Posts: 346
Nationwide Visa & Egg
__________________
How much does a man live, after all?
Does he live a thousand days, or one only?
For a week, or several centuries?
How long does a man spend dying?
What does it mean to say “forever”? - Pablo Neruda
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 27 Sep 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: location, location.
Posts: 89
Nationwide are the mutts proverbials if you're away from the UK for any length of time. Their current account is one of the only ones that doesn't charge for taking out cash abroad, or making purchase. Same goes for their visa card. However if you do use the visa card to withdraw cash from an ATM, there are applicable charges, but they won't charge a commission like most other banks.

I've been away travelling for over 16 months now and I'd place them waaaay above any other banks I've been dealing with.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Sep 2006
Fritz's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 224
Nationwide deffo - but set everything up a couple of months in advance and use cards to check the DDs etc are working...bugger of a job to sort when over there (we know). Get a Maestro card too, Cochrane on the Austral didn't have a Visa ATM for instance. More cards is better, even as special reserves. Old ones in a fake wallet can be usful too in case of robbery - never happened though ;-)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Sep 2006
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Thumbs up

Nice one people.

The application for the Nationwide a/c is filled in and away.

Thanks
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 14 Apr 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Philadelphia, US
Posts: 646
Just be careful of the Foreign currency fees your credit card will charge you...

Foreign transaction fees for credit cards: Ask the Experts - Travelers' Tales
__________________
edde
93 BMW K75s
www.motoedde.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10 Nov 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Posts: 69
Any US banks that are recommended for travel throughout Central and South South America?

I see that Nationwide has been said to be good, but it appears that is from the UK?

Thanks
__________________
AtlasRider.com
Sport Touring Blog
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 25 Nov 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 75
ING Direct. They have been great to work with and the card has work everywhere - so far.
__________________
Left Seattle March '09 for RTW trip.
'02 BMW 1150 GSA
Reply With Quote
Reply


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

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
American Express Card Story Leavesley Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 1 18 Jul 2003 16:07

 
 

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 21:59.