cash advances in nicaragua - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

skankthenightaway · 02-26-2009, 12:40 PM

i've been waiting for my bank card to arrive in the mail, but it's still not here, so i'm just gonna head to nicaragua.

is there a bank that gives cash advances on MASTERCARD?
i've had problems finding banks that will give them on mastercard, and my card won't work in the machines either.

**pinknic38** · 02-26-2009, 01:45 PM

honestly, without the card, I would try calling the bank the credit card is through directly... a 1800 number should be on the bill, they can better direct you, because a lot of foreign banks do things ass-backwards to what we're used to.

cash advances, as I'm sure you know, come along with a hefty interest rate which SUCKS, so maybe before you head out you could get some travelers checks or something. if you call the bank directly they might be able to get you some, and put it on your card.

also... I know there's a small fee, but what about getting your card overnighted to you before you leave? might be better than the cash advance interest rate.

good luck!

**jengt** · 02-26-2009, 07:20 PM

Wow, that's unusual for your Mastercard to be giving you issues. The times I've traveled in Central & South America I've had better luck with my Mastercard in ATMs & banks than my Visa.

In Costa Rica I had to go to several different banks in San Jose to finally find an ATM to take my Visa ATM card - even though they said they took the "Plus" cards. In Santa Elena there were no banks that took it. I eventually had to take a cash advance on my Mastercard credit card - ugh!

skankthenightaway · 02-27-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinknic38

honestly, without the card, I would try calling the bank the credit card is through directly... a 1800 number should be on the bill, they can better direct you, because a lot of foreign banks do things ass-backwards to what we're used to.

cash advances, as I'm sure you know, come along with a hefty interest rate which SUCKS, so maybe before you head out you could get some travelers checks or something. if you call the bank directly they might be able to get you some, and put it on your card.

also... I know there's a small fee, but what about getting your card overnighted to you before you leave? might be better than the cash advance interest rate.

good luck!

i just put a payment on my card so that i don't have to pay interest. if you pay it right away, they don't charge you.

**pinknic38** · 02-27-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skankthenightaway

i just put a payment on my card so that i don't have to pay interest. if you pay it right away, they don't charge you.

OHHHHH good call! I didn't know that! that is nice to know you can do that!!!