Can anyone recommend a bank/credit card for S/C/N Americas
 

Hi- not sure if this is the right place to find this out but I'm looking to open a second account and have a spare credit card to take on my trip to the Americas next month.

As I've got a current account mortgage, I don't want to bring that card with me so I'm planning on setting up a monthly standing order paid into a current account I have (Royal Bank of Scotland) in order to keep the balance fairly low but can transfer more if need be online and am also taking a Visa credit card.

I'm thinking it would be good to open a second account as a back-up in case I loose my cards so can anyone recommend a good bank that I can easily draw cash from ATMs etc.

Thanks

Visa and Visa Delta worked fine in Chile, Bolivia, and Peru.

Visa is fine everywhere I've been
 

I have a switch/Visa card (from Cahoot).

Everywhere I've been (central, north, south america, asia, north africa, middle east) I never had problems using it in ATM machines ... although sometimes it can be tricky finding the ATM machine!

Maybe if you're alone try get Cyrrus/Mastercard or something other than Visa so that if the Visa is refused the other will be ok? (just in case!) ... and a dash of travellers cheques as last resource (just in case again!) ... and some USD notes of course! :)

with all that I'm sure you'll be fine!

I am currently in Costa Rica, and I can tell you that in Mexico and Central America, I have used VISA credit cards and CIRRUS and PLUS ATM cards. The CIRRUS ATM did not work for me in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The PLUS card has worked everywhere, so far. Mastercard is also less widely accepted in those countries. Also be aware that in GT, HN, and Nica, some machines won´t accept a 6 digit PIN. Money has not been a hassle this trip at all. Ask me in 2 months about S. America.

Nationwide Visa & Egg

Nationwide are the mutts proverbials if you're away from the UK for any length of time. Their current account is one of the only ones that doesn't charge for taking out cash abroad, or making purchase. Same goes for their visa card. However if you do use the visa card to withdraw cash from an ATM, there are applicable charges, but they won't charge a commission like most other banks.

I've been away travelling for over 16 months now and I'd place them waaaay above any other banks I've been dealing with. :):thumbup1:

Nationwide deffo - but set everything up a couple of months in advance and use cards to check the DDs etc are working...bugger of a job to sort when over there (we know). Get a Maestro card too, Cochrane on the Austral didn't have a Visa ATM for instance. More cards is better, even as special reserves. Old ones in a fake wallet can be usful too in case of robbery - never happened though ;-)

Nice one people.

The application for the Nationwide a/c is filled in and away.

Thanks

Just be careful of the Foreign currency fees your credit card will charge you...

Foreign transaction fees for credit cards: Ask the Experts - Travelers' Tales

Any US banks that are recommended for travel throughout Central and South South America?

I see that Nationwide has been said to be good, but it appears that is from the UK?

Thanks

ING Direct. They have been great to work with and the card has work everywhere - so far.