Using Visa cards abroad. Traveler's finances: learning to pay with bank cards abroad
Two payment systems that set the tone for the plastic card market.
The bank, which is a member of the systems, usually conducts mutual settlements with them through two currencies. In the case of Visa, this is the US dollar, MasterCard is the euro (there are exceptions, so it is better to check this point with a specific bank).
Let's say you have Sberbank credit card Visa opened in Russian rubles... The payment procedure, for example, in shops in France (in common use the single European currency) looks like this: first, the payment system converts the payment currency (euros) into the currency of settlements with the bank (dollars, because you have a Visa card). And after that, your bank converts the received amount into rubles, blocking it on the card and giving permission to carry out the operation.
That is, there is a double conversion (the first - at the Visa rate of euro-dollar, the second - at the bank dollar-rubles). On each transfer, the client loses part of his hard earned money.
Similar examples can be found with various combinations of currencies. The attentive reader has probably already guessed that if the client had credit card Sberbank MasterCard or the situation would take place in the USA, then there would be one conversion (since the transaction currency and the settlement currency would coincide with the payment system).
The most profitable option- a card in the same currency as the payment is made in. In this case, you do not pay any conversion fees.
If you pay with a card in Turkey, for example, in the national currency, then there is no way to avoid double conversion. True, experienced travelers say that it is still more profitable to pay with a card than to use exchange offices.
Cash withdrawal fee
As for withdrawing cash abroad at an ATM, such an operation cannot be called profitable. But if you do cash out, then do it, as they say, in full. After all, banks charge high percent: for example, OTP Bank for Gold class cards takes 3% (but not less than 350 rubles / 12 $ / 12 € depending on the card currency). That is, with a $ 12 dollar card, you will pay in any case, no matter what amount you ask for.
Force majeure in another country
Now let's talk about emergency situations. What should I do if my card is lost or stolen? First of all, the payment instrument must be blocked by calling the bank's customer support.
Do not despair, as the emergency cash disbursement service is provided by almost all major banks.
If we talk about specific numbers, then Raiffeisenbank credit card gives its owner the opportunity to urgently receive up to $ 2000 for middle-class cards and up to $ 5000 for premium cards, OTP Bank- up to $ 5000. The amount cannot exceed the available account balance, and these banks provide the service free of charge.
The approach is different Sberbank... If the holder of the "gold" card receives money in an urgent mode without commission, then the owner of the "plastic" of the middle class will pay 6000 rubles for this pleasure.
Precautions
- Before the trip, call the bank and warn about departure, or rather name the specific countries in which you will stay. This way, the security system will not “riot” when it finds that a card, always used in one ATM, suddenly “popped up” in a shopping center in Barcelona.
- Subscribe to the SMS informing service. The developed countries that's why they are developed, that they have all the best. Including scammers who love to engage in skimming by reading data from the card. And with the help of SMS, you can stop criminal plans by quickly blocking the credit card.
- Any operations with the card should be performed ONLY in front of your eyes. If it is a restaurant, then the waiter is obliged to provide a portable terminal.
- Bank emergency numbers must be written down (or learned by heart). In addition, you can block the card by contacting the payment system directly.
- For a rainy day, have some cash or a spare card with you.
Payment by plastic cards abroad is convenient and often profitable, because credit card holders are offered to take advantage of numerous bonuses and discounts, and the imported funds do not have to be declared. You just need to follow certain rules and skillfully choose a payment instrument.
Are you interested in how the Sberbank Visa card will work abroad and can it be used to pay for purchases? We invite you to read our brief overview on this issue, as well as to familiarize yourself with the reviews of the bank's clients.
So, if you are planning a trip abroad, and do not want to burden yourself with a thick wad of money in a bag, for which you still have to pay a fee, it would be more logical to take your credit card with you. All bank cards of Sberbank are accepted for settlement abroad, with the exception of cards with the Maestro payment system.
This is convenient if most of your purchases will take place in large supermarkets and malls. If you plan to visit small tourist shops, then you better stock up on a small amount cash.
What are the advantages of the card?
In a non-cash payment, which will allow you to easily make purchases and control your expenses. In addition, you will not be charged a commission for currency conversion, the transfer will be carried out automatically at the current exchange rate at the time of purchase.
If you have a high-end card, i.e. from Gold and above, then it will have an emergency cash disbursement service in the event that the "plastic" has been lost. You can find out more about it in the branch or on the bank's website.
What are the disadvantages?
Let's list in order:
- If you lose or your card is stolen, then its urgent restoration will cost you a tidy sum;
- When withdrawing cash from an account, you will have to pay a commission from your bank and the ATM holder, and many ATMs have a fixed commission, say, at least $ 5.
- If the currency on your account is Russian, and the local currency is, say, dollars, you will have to pay separately for the conversion.
- It is imperative to warn the bank employee that you are going abroad. The security service may block your account if purchases are made from another country.
What is better to take with you - Visa or MasterCard?
These are two payment systems that are leaders in the plastic card market. Payments for Visa are made in US dollars, and for MC - in euros. This question needs to be clarified with your bank.
For example, if you have a Visa from Sberbank, the account of which is in Russian rubles, then when paying in the European Union, the payment system will first convert the euro into the settlement currency (dollars), and only then convert it into rubles. Thus, there will be a double conversion (first at the rate of the Visa - euros to dollars, and then from dollars to rubles).
Each transaction incurs some costs for customers. But it is worth noting that if the cardholder was in the United States and had a MasterCard with him, then only one conversion would take place (this is due to the fact that currency transaction and the calculated currency are the same).
It is desirable that the card account be in the currency in which the payment is made. In this case, conversion costs can be avoided.
According to travelers, it is still more profitable to use a card than to use the services of exchange offices.
What is the commission for cashing
Of course, withdrawing funds abroad presents certain costs for the borrower. As a rule, banks set a fairly high percentage for such operations. For example, OTP takes 3% (minimum 12 dollars or euros, regardless of the amount).
What kind Unexpected situations can happen abroad
If you have lost your card or stolen it, then immediately contact the support service of the bank in which it is served. So you will block the plastic from which you will no longer be able to withdraw money.
- Do not write down the pin code on the card or on a piece of paper that lies with it,
- Do not use a credit card in suspicious shops, especially if the terminal does not work correctly or does not issue a receipt,
- Pay close attention to what the seller indicates, especially the amount. If it differs from the price tag, immediately abandon the purchase,
- Keep a wallet with money and cards in the back of your bag or backpack, do not take it out unnecessarily.
- Have some cash with you for a rainy day.
- Subscribe to the SMS-informing service to block the account as soon as you see an operation that you have not performed.
- Any transactions should only be made in your presence. For example, in a restaurant, a waiter must bring a terminal.
- Make sure your card expires while you are out of the country.
Therefore, it is up to you to decide whether to take a Visa Sberbank card on a trip abroad or whether you need to limit yourself to cash. For information on how to use an ATM abroad correctly, see the video below:
Cons of using ruble cards abroad
As we said above, you will lose on conversion, that is, pay a certain commission for the operation. Moreover, this process is rather slow. Bank employees invert the issued foreign currency invoice into rubles. It is worth considering that moment, the course may change dramatically, and you will lose a little more from the card than you expected.
Sberbank allows customers to open a card in any currency, for example, in dollars or euros. Such plastic makes it possible to make purchases abroad without additional commissions. Multicurrency cards allow you to ignore the currency. It is especially beneficial to use them abroad.
Where is Sberbank represented outside of Russia?
About Maestro map a lot has been written on the Internet. For example, that it is unnamed, that it does not have a security code, etc. Is this really so? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Maestro cards, is it worth using them and which banks issue them? We will talk about all this below.
What is Maestro card, its features
Maestro is a debit card product of the IPS MasterCard. This is an entry-level card that is one of the most affordable and popular among customers. All transactions for such plastic in mandatory are electronically authorized by the issuing bank to confirm that there are enough funds on the card account. Maestro owners can perform almost the same operations as higher-level cardholders: pay for communal services and purchases, withdraw cash, make transfers, etc.
Maestros are available with a chip and magnetic stripe or with only a magnetic stripe. They are named and unnamed. The data on the Maestro (name, number, validity period) is most often not convex (i.e. not embossed), but simply printed.
Such cards are accepted in retail outlets where the Maestro mark is present (both in the Russian Federation and abroad). Although in fact, if an institution serves MasterCard cards, then, as a rule, it also takes Maestro. Previously, entry-level cards did not have the CVV2 / CVC2 code, which made it difficult to pay with them for purchases on the Internet. However, now many banks (including Sberbank) issue Maestro with a security code.
Benefits of Maestro cards
- Cheap service is a key advantage of the card. Usually, its maintenance costs a maximum of 300 rubles per year, and in some banks it can be used completely free of charge.
- Receiving speed. This plus will be only when you receive the unnamed Maestro, as it will be issued immediately. When ordering a card with a printed name and surname, you will have to wait for it n-th number of days, like all other card products.
- Discounts and privileges from MasterCard are available;
- Wide functionality;
- Additional cards can be issued.
Disadvantages of Maestro cards
- When used abroad:
In most countries, payment with a Maestro card is successful. But sometimes difficulties can still arise. In some places (for example, in Chile) there are points where only embossed cards are accepted, since they use an imprinter (the machine on which the card is imprinted). Naturally, in this case, the un-embossed Maestro (even if it is named) will not be able to pay off. If the card is unnamed, this may raise heightened suspicion among the cashiers of outlets. Be prepared to be asked to show your identity document. Theoretically, problems can arise when renting a car or paying for hotels.
As already mentioned, the Maestro card is accepted only in stores marked with the Maestro brand, that is, if there is no corresponding sticker on the door of the outlet, then service may be refused. As a rule, the emergency cash withdrawal service is not available for such plastic. This means that in case of loss or technical malfunction of the card abroad, money cannot be quickly received.
If you plan to withdraw cash in other countries, it is better to have one more card with a higher status with you. More often, it will not be possible to withdraw money from other people's ATMs from entry-level cards (especially unnamed ones). Let's take Sberbank as an example: no money can be issued in other banks at all with Maestro Momentum cards (that is, unnamed). And according to Maestro Social and Pension, it is allowed to receive money from ATMs of subsidiary banks of Sberbank both in Russia and abroad.
- When shopping on the Internet: the downside is that there are still stores that do not accept Maestro. Fortunately, there are fewer and fewer of them.
- Low transaction limits: monthly and daily cash withdrawal limits are usually much lower than for higher tier cards.
How Maestro differs from Visa Electron
Maestro is a product of the IPS MasterCard, and Electron is a payment Visa systems... Both cards can be used only in electronic terminals that work online. In Russian realities, they practically do not differ in functionality.
It is believed that Visa is more widespread and its cards, unlike MasterCard cards, are accepted everywhere. In fact, now both MPS are developed in about the same way. Although, when traveling abroad, it is still recommended to take at least 2 cards of different payment systems with you.
Maestro Sberbank card
At the moment, Sberbank issues only one entry-level card - Maestro Pension. It is issued to persons over 18 years of age who have a pension certificate.
Benefits of the Maestro Pension card:
- no service fee is taken;
- you can pay for goods in any store;
- it is possible to make payments in online stores (not using 3D-secure);
- 3.5% is charged on the amount on the card account;
- you can receive discounts and special offers from the MasterCard MPS;
- it is allowed to withdraw cash from subsidiary banks abroad;
- some partners give pensioners increased bonuses "Thank you"
- you can issue an additional card (150 rubles per year) not only for an adult, but also for a child (at least 7 years old);
- it is convenient to use Sberbank-online and the service “ Mobile bank»;
- you can translate
Disadvantages of the Maestro Pension card:
- there may be problems when paying in some online stores;
- you can withdraw money abroad only at ATMs of subsidiary banks of certain countries;
- emergency cash withdrawal is not available if the card is lost abroad.
How to get Maestro "Pension"?
To issue a card, you must come to the Sberbank branch with a pension certificate and a passport. After signing the contract, you will be given an account number, which must be reported to the Pension Fund. The card will be ready in 1-2 weeks.
Other cards of Maestro Sberbank
Previously, Sberbank also issued cards Maestro Social, Maestro Student and Maestro Momentum. Now their issue has been discontinued, although the cards already issued are still valid. Most likely, cheap plastic is simply unprofitable for a bank.
What other banks issue Maestro cards
Vanguard:
- three-year Maestro with a chip (300 rubles, $ 15, € 15 per year), any operations are available;
- 5-year Maestro with magnetic stripe (no chip), no annual maintenance, limited functionality.
Bashkomsnabbank:
- Maestro for individuals for a period of three years. Opening an account costs 190 rubles, you do not need to pay for service;
- Maestro for retirees for 3 years and free issue. There are 2 different tariff plan:
- with the accrual of 4% on the balance, but a commission will be charged for withdrawing money from other people's ATMs;
- with the accrual of 0.5% on the balance, but funds can be received free of charge from ATMs of other banks.
SMP Bank: offers a Maestro card at the "Standard" tariff with service of 150 rubles / $ 2 per year.
Rosenergobank: the cost of issuing a Maestro card in this bank is 220 rubles.
- Maestro for individuals: 300 rubles. in year;
- for pensioners: free, 4% per annum.
Should you open a Maestro card? If you are going to use the card in Russia, rarely make purchases via the Internet and do not want to pay a lot for service, then it is definitely worth it! Maestro is the cheapest option with the functionality you need. Although the number of banks issuing such cards is decreasing in Russia.
If you often visit other countries, constantly pay for goods on different (including foreign) sites, then we advise you to open a card at a higher level, at least MasterCard Standard.