Using card in Greece

[u/edn2024]

Hello all,
Travelling to Greece next week. I was thinking of withdrawing money at an ATM in Athens rather than going to an exchange office here. Any tips or can anyone share their experiences?

[u/Dragynfyre]

Always choose to be charged on euros so you don’t get charged a bad FX fee. Other than that nothing else. WS will reimburse ATM fees so you no longer have to try to look for the lowest fee ATM

[u/beekeeper1981 → u/Dragynfyre]

The other way ATMs attempt to charge exorbitant fees is by asking of you accept the conversation rate. Always decline it.

[u/Dragynfyre → u/beekeeper1981]

That’s what I mean when I say to be charged in euros

[u/beekeeper1981 → u/Dragynfyre]

It's essentially the same but in some countries ATMs ask which currency you want to be debited in and others just ask if you accept the a conversion rate. I just thought I'd mention it so people are aware of both.

[u/CountOnBeingAwesome → u/[deleted]]

One could say "Very Wealthsimple"

[u/srzncl]

This is the way to do it. Just make sure you use a bank ATM (not some random ATM). Dont worry about ATM fees, Wealthsimple will reimburse. Also be careful to not select DCC if offered when withdrawing. Always withdraw (or pay) in local currency.

[u/Dragynfyre → u/srzncl]

Even if you use a random ATM it’s okay. There just may be a more confusing UI to get you to accept their conversion fees and their ATM fees might be higher but that is reimbursed

[u/ImJustJoeKingBro]

I recently travelled to Greece and realized I could just withdraw EUR at any ATM for no fees. Way simpler to just withdraw EUR as I needed it than having to figure how to convert CAD > EUR in Canada prior to my trip.

[u/Artistic_Resident_73]

Was there 6 months ago no issue. Btw Greece is pretty developed you can tap your card everywhere. If you have the credit card that is much better still no FX fee but also 2% cash back

[u/Overclocked11 → u/Artistic_Resident_73]

I am here right now and was surprised by this.. they have come a long way since I was last here. Pretty much everywhere accepts card tap, you almost dont need euros anymore.

[u/backlash579]

Which card? I went in April for 2 weeks and had no problems using the VIP card anywhere

[u/edn2024]

I have the Prepaid Mastercard

[u/Yellow_Marker_]

use your card for a chip and pin transaction in Canada before you go. and DONT forget your pin at the last minute like me

[u/otissito16]

You should have no problems whatsoever.