So who is this Stam anyway?

Travel problems

If you're planning an extended stay overseas, and you have any idea that you'll need large amounts of money sent to you, be darn sure you have a proper way of getting it to you there...

And be real sure that it's going to work. And not cost you half the Earth to pull the cash out.

I thought I'd done all this.

You see, when I left Australia for Israel I didn't have a credit card I could use to pull out cash here. But this was when the international links were just getting better, and so by switching banks (to the Commonwealth Bank) I could get a keycard with access to the international Cirrus and Maestro systems. Their symbols look somewhat similar to the Visa or Mastercard twin circles, but they're just a different color. Cirrus is light blue/dark blue, and Maestro is light blue/red.

So that all seemed fine. Even the fees (AU$4 for a withdrawal, or AU$1 for a balance inquiry) didn't seem excessive, considering the service offered.

Then I get to Israel and find out that not only is there a per-withdrawal limit, but there is also a per-day limit.
Of approximately US$500.
For which I have to make two separate withdrawals.
And the Israel links (or the ATMs) aren't sophisticated enough for me to ask for a balance, either.

One word.

Posted by adam at July 29, 2003 11:08 AM