No surcharge ATMs in Calgary, Alberta?
In my experience, these surcharges do not apply to those from out of the country. My recent experience is different. Many non-US banks are charging fees now to US-banks. I specifically opened an account with BofA so I can get cash at Scotiabank in Canada, Barclays in the UK and Santander Serfin in Mexico. Between the forex fees (2%), the fees my bank charged ($5), and the fees the foreign bank charged (2€ in Italy and Germany), there was little money left over for me.
I’m in Calgary and I can’t ever recall seeing a no-fee ATM advertised as you’ve described. The independent ATMs are all (as far as I’ve encountered after living here for a few years) the ripoff $1.50/transaction variety. The best bet is probably to contact the major banks here directly and ask them if they’d charge you a fee. The Royal Bank of Canada TD Canada Trust First Calgary Savings CIBC The other option (one that’s especially useful abroad) is to load up a credit card with a surplus and then use that as much as possible. This is assuming, of course, that you’re a Zen master of finance and have a credit card in such a state.
Thanks, everyone. I don’t have a debit card for purchases, just the ATM card that allows me to take cash out of bank machines. I’m fine in the credit card department, but I’d like to be able to get some Canadian cash while I’m there, as needed. I just have to remember that the $1.50 Canadian fee is only about $1.36 U.S.
