ATM card versus debit card?

I don't know why it is supposed to be safer. I take two regular debit cards, one from my small local credit union and one from an online bank. I only use the debit cards to obtain cash from ATMs - I have never tried (or wanted) to use them for purchases. In both cases, they are tied to checking accounts that only contain my travel funds. Debit cards are just what my financial institutions offer, rather than ATM cards. I've never had a problem with their use. As long as you inform all involved that you will be traveling - where and when - you should be fine.

ATM cards are safer than debit cards because a debit card can be used to make purchases without having to use a PIN. So, in theory, someone who steals your debit card could clean out your checking account without knowing your PIN. An ATM card is of no use to a thief unless he knows your PIN.

As often as we read here about problems with trying to make purchases with debit cards, I never considered purchases. I just use mine in ATMs.

Lana: Per the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your liability is limited to $50 if you report your missing ATM or debit card within two business days after learning of the loss. Further, the FTC website indicates that VISA and Mastercard waive the deadline for reporting the loss in most cases and retain the overall liability ceiling of $50. All applies inside or outside the U.S. so your financial risk is the same whether or not you are traveling. My strategy, as with others, is to pack two cards from different financial institutions. Happy travels!

Your idea of the 2nd debit card is good. Last summer in Ireland I made 2 withdrawals from my debit card without incident. THE 3rd was rejected at several machines. My wife's card from the same bank was likewise rejected. Our backup card went through fine. It was the 4th of July week-end, so the bank was closed. I called the bank later and was told they put a hold on our cards because of fraud in (and I quote) "in some place called the UK.". I talked with another person that I knew. She got it straightened out and called me back that the cards were clear to use. We were glad for the backup card.

Oh, I had called and cleared the way before we left. It was blocked anyway.

I have and use a DEBIT card tied to my CHECKING ACCOUNT at a local credit union to use in ATMs in Europe for obtaining local currency. I did not know that there was such a thing as an ATM card or are they one in the same. I only use that debit card for cash withdrawals from ATMs and have never tried to purchase anything in Europe with it. I also have a second debit card as a back up from a different financial institution and have only had to use it once in ten years and that was due to the fault of Chase Bank which we no longer use.

I am so confused,, I think Americans must have different things,, we use Debit cards in ATM machines.. I have two different banks. Both issue me debit cards tied to my chequeing accounts, which as I said, are used in ATM ( which means Automated Teller Machine, right?) . Both have PINS of course. Of course in Canada we are all going chip too. I always bring two different cards and one or two different Credit cards too, so if one fails there is always back up.

Thank you so much for the replies! Tom, that makes sense--you can't sign for purchases with the ATM card--you have to have the pin. Got it. Thanks for all the advice to have two separate checking accounts available. I wasn't really sure what most people do!
Lana

ATM cards are the "original" bank cards used to withdraw cash from your account from bank machines. They have now been mostly replaced by debit cards (also called check cards)which have either the Visa or MC logo on the front. In addition to being able to withdraw funds at ATM machines, you can use them to purchase goods at any merchant that accepts credit cards. The funds for these purchases are immediately deducted from you checking account.

Bruce is right regarding your liability limit in regards to a lost/stolen card. However, 2 days is a long time in the electronic credit card age we live in. While by law, you are limited on your exposure, your bank/credit union bears more of the risk of loss on a stolen debit card and potentially can have its losses be the daily limit on the card for each day until notified/cancelled. Therefore, some financial institutions may be cautious when granting/setting your daily limit on the debit card in order to limit their exposure. Before traveling be sure you know this limit and have discussed it with your financial institution if you require a higher limit. Safe Travels.

When I was in Italy, I tried to use my ATM/Debit card at several machines, not related to my issuing bank in the US. At all of them, it treated my card as if I was asking for a cash advance, not a withdrawal. I pulled it out and didn't complete any of those transactions because I have heard that the charges are huge. I went to the ATM at a bank that does have a relationship with my home bank and the transaction was handled as a withdrawal. I am now going to Austria, Czech, and Poland and don't know what to do because my bank (BofA) doesn't have any connections in those countries. How can I get money that is not a cash advance? Also does anyone know how much those cash advances cost? Thanks........Nancy

My ATM card is also a debit card. In the U.S. I only use it to deposit and withdraw money from my bank's ATM. While abroad, however, I use it to withdraw funds in the local currency. Yes, there are charges, but not as many as you would have getting a cash advance from a credit card (which I never do anywhere). With a debit card, you can't get a cash advance. It's a withdrawal, no matter what terminology is used. I do take two credit cards for purchases and also for a backup in case the debit card is rejected for some reason. And yes, I've heard others complain that their credit cards are rejected when used overseas, even when people advise them in advance of their travel plans.

Nancy when you see the term "cash advance" on the screen of an overseas ATM machine it means your making an ordinary withdraw just like in the US...it just a translation mistake from the local language into english. It's impossible do a high-interest credit card style cash advance with a debit card as no interest rates are attached to these cards.