Chile Forum

chile-expat wrote:A Schwab checking account is also a solid option. Schwab will reimburse you for any ATM fees incurred and gives you parity on the exchange rate (rather than taking 1-2%).

I have a Schwab One International acct. I know in the past I sometimes would see weird ATM Fee reimbursements. Like if the amount I took out was US$202.45, they would refund US$2.05 even though I never saw anything about a fee being charged when taking out money from the ATM. This was when taking out money in Chile. I guess I should do a test to see if they refund this fee, although with more banks going over to the dark side, as greg put it, I probably will be foreced to soon anyways.

I have never been able to get my card to work at Banco Estado, despite the Redbank logo.

BCI switched to the dark side, 2,500 pesos a pop. Scotiabank still no charge as of today.

Are we talking of fees being charged on foreign ATM cards for withdrawal of USD (in cash) or fees being charged on foreign ATM for withdrawal of CLP (also in cash)?

PS; Does it anyone know if it also affects the Maestro system?
I've used Maestro card in many,many countries without ever being charged.

I've only been using VISA.

It applies to US card taking out CLP. There are no ATMs with USD.. at least that I've been able to find anywhere.

2,500 at BCI last night. I ended up taking money out at Santander (2,000 peso fee) and I will check my account today to see if Schwab refunded it or not.

gringalais wrote:. . . and I will check my account today to see if Schwab refunded it or not.

Schwab refunds these fees once a month (at month's end, I believe), so you'll probably have to wait a bit.

New breaking report that Argentina ATMs have begin charging a per use fee of USD $3.

Can you say coordinated?

I will open a Guaranty bank account on my next trip to the US. No exchange fee, reimbursement of all ATM per use fees, no minimum balance and you earn AA miles to boot.

Sounds like collusion to me. But it's banks, so move along, nothing to see here. Goldman Sachs is again hugely profitable while the whole economy is in the tank. Explain to me how that works.

Don' t all ATM's charge fees for withdrawals? Some more some less? Anyhoo...we don't bank in Chile. We have our monthly retirement check deposited in our US bank acct. and we use our bank VISA card to withdraw funds from ATM's here in CLP. Our bank has a policy of 'NO ATM charges anywhere in the world!' and they are true to their word. They immediately reverse the charges the day of the transaction. They have saved us countless dollars as we use our bank card often. These charges are a 'racket' as far as I am concerned. Consumers need to rise up and put a stop to them...if this is possible.

STORKLADY53 wrote:. . . . our US . . . . bank has a policy of 'NO ATM charges anywhere in the world!' and they are true to their word. They immediately reverse the charges the day of the transaction. . . .

Do, please, let us know which bank this is!

What are the current limits for one-time ATM withdrawals in Chile (and in Argentina) when using foreign VISA cards? I mean, one-time withdrawal limitations that are set by Chilean and Argentinean ATM networks (and not by your home bank). I believe: 350K pesos in Chile, and 600.oo pesos in Argentina.

We have only been able to take out 200,000 pesos at a time. Do you remember which bank allows 350,000?