ATMs in San Stefanos

[Jules]

Good news . Make a lot of peoples lives easier when on holiday and not have to travel to far for cash.

[tonyco1]

Brilliant news!!

[dibully]

Should take the pressure off the one at Thomas Bay

[DavidFid]

Hi All,

Just back from another great holiday.

Quick tip when using the ATM near the beach, as I did last week. The machine gives two options a guaranteed rate of 1.14 or the prevailing rate when the transaction goes through your bank. I took the later and having just checked my bank the rate was 1.251 !!! reduced by my banks fees to 1.219 on a withdrawal of 200 euros (so with a larger withdrawal the rate would have reduced by less).

Significantly better than the 1.14 guaranteed, not sure if my bank would have charged their fees on the 1.14 but I expect that they would so reducing the rate to 1.10.

Potentially £16 more expensive on my 200 euro withdrawal.
 

[tonyco1]

Thanks David - good tip everyone!!

[SanDavid]

A third ATM has appeared this June 2015 at Tasty Corner, remember never to take the guaranteed rate (ie charged in GBP) as this is over 10% less than the bank rate.
Tip...get yourself a Halifax Clarity Card, there's no charge for withdrawals, take out what you need each day or two it saves you carrying large amounts of cash around.

[Jimbo]

I'm afraid I can't agree with that. Using ATMs for cash still costs, even with a Clarity card. Getting cash on a credit card it not a good idea.

Far better - specially this year - is to take adequate cash with you.

[Waspman]

Correct Jim, although Halifax do not charge for overseas ATM withdrawals, some ATM providers do.

[SanDavid]

I use the Halifax Clarity credit card all the time, there are no charges for using the ATM.
The only cost is the interest which is about 1% a month, so if you pay it off 2 weeks later it will cost 50p per £100. changing cash in the resort will cost 2% (ie £2 per £100) and at a lower exchange rate. Martin Lewis (moneysavingexpert.com) says it the best way to get your Euros.
Also you are not carrying large amounts of cash around, just get what you need.
Don't use any other credit card or debit card as it will cost a lot more.
Having said that, with the Greek crisis, don't just rely on the ATM as the banks may turn them off if Greece defaults on its debt payment.

[Jimbo]

Having said that, with the Greek crisis, don't just rely on the ATM as the banks may turn them off if Greece defaults on its debt payment.

Wise advice. The ATMs have never been reliable anyway. At the moment the Greek banks are okay, despite the massive withdrawals by the population - over a billion Euros last week alone. In the increasingly likely event of a default the banks will have to be controlled by limiting withdrawals.