Chase ATM charges

[Bill4728]

We'll be visiting Europe soon and have been told to use an ATM to get Euros. ( making sure to use a Bank ATM not a generic one)

Checked with my two banks
Chase $3 fee and 3% surcharge
BECU $0 fee and no surcharge

Glad I checked

 

[dioxide45]

Best to use your credit card as much as you can. Cash (Euro) should mainly be used for tipping and street vendors. Your credit card will give the best converion rates. Just use one that has no currency conversion fees.

 

[Talent312]

I stayed in Amsterdam for 3 days last Summer.
Had -0- Euros and no need for any Euros.
One restaurant said it was CC only; no cash accepted.

 

[dioxide45]

I stayed in Amsterdam for 3 days last Summer.
Had -0- Euros and no need for any Euros.
One restaurant said it was CC only; no cash accepted.

What do you do about tipping? I am finding cashless is a pain and probably not good for those that rely on cash tips (bellhop, taxi).

 

[moonstone]

I stayed in Amsterdam for 3 days last Summer.
Had -0- Euros and no need for any Euros.
One restaurant said it was CC only; no cash accepted.

That was also our experience a year ago when we spent 10 days in Amsterdam and surrounding area. We had taken some Euros with us that we got at an Exchange place near home (Barrie ON) before we left and came home with most of them!

For tipping we added the tip onto the total of restaurant bills when using the credit card machine. We found even parking meters took our credit card, there was no option for paying with coins even for short stays. We didnt use any bellhops but did use an Uber and tipping was done in the app. We tried to tip the girl who pushed my dad in his wheelchair around the Amsterdam airport (pre-arranged) from the plane exit to the rental car desk, waited for almost an hour with us until we got to the front of the line, then to the rental car pick-up, but she wouldn't accept it saying she got paid by KLM and or the airport. My dad gave her his Canadian flag lapel pin which she happily accepted.

~Diane

 

[dioxide45]

That was also our experience a year ago when we spent 10 days in Amsterdam and surrounding area. We had taken some Euros with us that we got at an Exchange place near home (Barrie ON) before we left and came home with most of them!

For tipping we added the tip onto the total of restaurant bills when using the credit card machine. We found even parking meters took our credit card, there was no option for paying with coins even for short stays. We didnt use any bellhops but did use an Uber and tipping was done in the app. We tried to tip the girl who pushed my dad in his wheelchair around the Amsterdam airport (pre-arranged) from the plane exit to the rental car desk, waited for almost an hour with us until we got to the front of the line, then to the rental car pick-up, but she wouldn't accept it saying she got paid by KLM and or the airport. My dad gave her his Canadian flag lapel pin which she happily accepted.

~Diane

This was our experience in Germany with a wheelchair pusher. They woudln't accept tips. Though bellhops and valet still accept tips. I also find tipping for free breakfast (due to hotel elite status) isn't easy without cash.