ATM’s and fees

I don’t recall ever paying as much as I paid earlier this week to use my Cap1 ATM card here.

The machine by Carrefour express in Porto Cupecoy was $7.50 from them and $11 from Cap1. What the heck?!

Any less expensive options or banks?

TIA

Some banks have international partners that have lower fees. Just as an example, here's the way it works with Bank of America. We've used BNP Paribas in Martinique and got a better rate. I assume it would work the same way at a branch in St. Martin.

https://locators.bankofamerica.com/international.html

For our last trip to St. Martin in December, we just used USD and a credit card and never actually withdrew from an ATM. This was the first time we didn't use local currency, but it worked OK near Orient.

Only option that works for me is to bring plenty of cash from home and use credit card where ever they take it. Love racking up those miles.

Yup, that's the same for us. We don't carry an ATM card at home either..

Another who just brings enough cash and uses a credit card wherever we can. We generally have twice as much cash with us as we need.

I do use the ATM's on the island because I do not want to bring enough cash to last 6 or 7 weeks. As of February, RBC charged $6, CBIC charged $5 and WIB charged $7.50. There were no charges from my local bank.

Just re-read your note, Leona. You used an ATM that was NOT at a bank? It used to be that even here at home, ATMS not at a bank charged a lot more per transaction than ones at a bank. And I would be concerned about using an ATM not at a bank, concerned that there would be a higher probability of a skimmer or other shenanigans going on there.

I use my Schwab Bank ATM card and they always refund the local fees from any location...foreign or US

As was just said, check with your Bank, Credit Union or Card Issuer, many will refund fees(third party ATM) or give you a certain credit amount per billing cycle. No different than using your CC for your rental car contracts, know what is covered, what your benefits are per card or account.

You might try the credit mutuel atm at the hope estate near super U. It gave US cash last time we used it. Can't remember the fee.

Thanks, y'all! I brought down $1K, but it went fast in a week. lol

Need to pay a caterer tonight and wanted to have more cash on me. I will definitely plan better next time. Just too much happening at home before we left to think this through.

Hopefully it works out OK..