How do i get an international debit card for my trip to Germany?

Question

im going to Germany this summer with a group of other teenagers(im 15) and the company recommended we carry money in the forms of traverlers checks and debit cards. and have very little cash in our pockets. my father's bank offers Euros so thats not a problem. but what do i do about a debit card and travelers checks that would work in most places in Germany? i read about so many companies that offer these things but how do i know if they will work in most places in Germany? what bank should i get a debit card from for Germany? and travelers checks as well? for those of you who have went to Germany, how did you pay for things? where did you get your cards and checks?

Answer 1

You can use every debit card with a 'Visa or Mastercard or American Express or Maestro or Diner's Club' symbol on it. Most shops and hotels accept them and you also can get money from the cash machines. Travellers cheques are OK too but it's more comfortable to use debit cards.

Answer 2

First: take traveler cheques in Euro-Currency, only a few Euros for the first hrs here in Germany.

Then you must have a debit card with the MAESTRO Symbol on the card.

Then take a credit card.

Compare what the credit card company you charge and how much you must pay if you use the debit card.

The credit card is mostly cheaper for higher expenses.

Ask your bank !

Have a nice trip to Germany! Which part you will visit??

Answer 3

American Express traveller cheques are probably the most widely used. As the first poster said, make sure your bank gives you traveller cheques made out in Euros!

If you have traveller cheques made out in US dollars, things can get much more complicated, I've been told.

Make sure you understand which part of the cheques to sign IMMEDIATELY, and which places to sign only when using them. If you don't get this right, the whole security system is worthless.

American Express will give you a list of places were you can exchange your traveller cheques for cash, in case you find it too difficult to pay directly with the cheques. In case you want to look up such places via the internet, use the British website of American Express, their US website is c**p.

As for debit cards: I know that I can use German debit cards on British automatic cash points if they bear the international CIRRUS sign. I should also be able to use them to pay in British shops, if the cards bear the Maestro symbol, but I never tried that. So, those two symbols are the ones to look out for. Since both systems (Maestro, and Cirrus) are operated by MasterCard, you might want to try to contact them and ask them which debit card they recommend for Germany.

Many older automatic cash machines in Germany do bear neither the Maestro nor the CIRRUS logo, even thought they are part of the network. They will often bear the old Eurocheque logo (EC) instead.

As you are 15, it might be difficult for you to get hold of a credit card, but perhaps there is some pre-paid scheme your bank can offer you?

VISA and Master Card are the most common credit cards here in Germany. American Express, and especially Diners' Club are far less widely accepted.

Unfortunately almost all smaller stores, absolutely ALL supermarkets and many other major chains (such as MEDIA MARKT) don't accept any credit cards at all. So, if you can get a debit card that you know will work, maybe you don't need an extra credit card?

Citibank is the only major US bank with a local chain in Germany. Ask them if they can offer you any cards, or an account, which you can access from Germany as well.

Last tip:

Do discuss with your parents an emergency plan for a worst case scenario. Western Union does have some agencies in Germany, for example.