Brits Using ATMs Abroad Must Do This First

With peak travel season underway, many Brits will be heading to resorts where cash is essential for tipping, taxis, and market shopping.

This week, Martin Lewis warned that Brits £6 ATM withdrawal fees throughout Europe, however as nearly 40% of Brits have experienced being caught short of cash while abroad, this advice isn’t ideal. 

Thankfully, SCS Chauffuers have a FREE, simple hack to stop Brits wasting hundreds withdrawing their cash on their next holiday 

According to the luxury transfer service SCS Chauffeurs,searching for “Bank ATM” on Google Maps will help find a free ATM – often with a much better exchange rate.

“We see it all the time,” says Hadleigh Diamond, Commercial Director at SCS Chauffeurs. “People land, head straight to the first ATM they see, and get charged eye-watering fees without realising it. Searching ‘Bank ATM’ on Google Maps takes seconds – and it could save both on fee and exhcnages rates on your very first withdrawal.”

Cash machines in airport and city-centre ATMs are more likely to be operated by third-party providers, not real banks, meaning higher charges and worse rates – and Many machines offer “conversion to GBP” – known as Dynamic Currency Conversion – which often uses poor exchange rates and adds hidden fees.

This simple search will often find machines inside or next to established banks like Santander, ING, or HSBC. These typically use fairer interbank rates, fewer fees, and don’t auto-convert your currency, as well as often having CCTV and private atms away from prying eyes. 

“Travellers often overprepare for airport delays, baggage issues and flight changes,” says Diamond, “but forget about something as simple as where they withdraw their money. This is an easy win – and one of the first things we recommend before a trip.”

“If your driver’s waiting for you at the terminal and you need cash, ask them to stop at a bank branch ATM on the route. We do this regularly for clients – it’s safer, faster, and far cheaper than using random machines in arrivals,” adds Diamond.

Other Top tips for withdrawing – and keeping – more of your money

• Never accept conversion to GBP and always choose local currency when prompted.
• Withdraw larger amounts less often in order t o reduce per-use charges

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