Maestro Debit Cards

[stevedo]

I hope to use my Maestro debit card in Morocco later this year. As a last resort I might also use my Mastercard credit card (want to avoid charges etc so hope to avoid this).

My question is, will my Maestro card (First Direct bank) work in Morocco?Would you advise opening another current account before we go?

Thanks
Steve

 

[Timolgra]

Use cash

 

[stevedo]

Hi,

we are going for nearly 5 weeks and I'm a bit reluctant to carry enough cash for that long. I will take quite a bit but not enough for the 5 weeks.

Cheers

 

[Fanum]

It should (and is in fact a very good way of doing it with a good exchange rate) but make sure you tell your bank prior to going (or they will stop the card).

There are some cards from some banks that our customers have problems with but it's very hit and miss- certainly make sure you have alternative means of getting money if things go tits up.

Also make sure you have a proper phone number (ie NOT an 0845 number or similar which won't be accessible from abroad) for your bank in case a card gets stopped.

 

[earthmover]

My maestro card worked in an ATM in Tenehir in April '07 without any problems at all. The instructions on the screen were in French though.
HTH
Mark

 

[digga]

i saw something a few days ago that maybe of interest....


... a 'travel card' much like a credit card ,mastercard endorsed etc.
apparently you 'load' it from you bank Acc and use as you would a credit/debit card.
you can't spend more than is loaded. i believe they also supply a spare card if one gets damaged etc...
don't know whether this is of use or not?

 

[davegs]

Cards

Whilst on a long six month trip I put a lot of credit onto two credit cards,
then you can withdraw money from ATMs with only the usual charge I.E no interest charged. If you run out you can run on a credit card as normal I've never had a debit card and I new that credit cards would work either visa or mastercard, founf Visa to most poular in South America lot of master card signs up but many places including atm's would not take them.
Dave GS. if yiou do this do it in the bank as half the twats on the "help line " say it can't be done.

 

[wessie]

Use a credit card for purchases that does not levy a currency conversion charge.

I have a Mastercard from the Post Office (Bank of Ireland). Cards from Nationwide are similar.

For cash, I use an Egg Money Mastercard. This pays 4% interest on credit balances and does not levy any charges when withdrawing the money from a credit balance. It's much cheaper than using the VISA debit card from my Alliance & Leicester current account which charges a minimum flat fee of £1.50. Using the Egg card means I can make as many small withdrawals as I like without incurring charges.

Note: this has to be the Egg Money card. Their VISA card is expensive for overseas use.

 

[Daffy]

I bank with First direct and can confirm that I was easily able to use ATM's in Morocco but would advise a spare card, the bank wont issue you two but if you tell them your old ones damaged but still working (i told then the 'chip' was loose) they will send you a replacement, hey presto 2 cards.

Kept 1 in the wallet 1 in the panniers so alwys a spare card in case of emergencies.

Had 2 cards for a year or more now, just make sure you use them both from time to time.

 

[stevedo]

Thanks for all the replies, most helpful.

Cheers
Steve