ATM on the Valor

[newbiecruiser2009]

I was wondering if the ATM on the Valor shows you your balance. DH will be getting his monthly overtime check while we're sailing. He works for the state of Illinois. Some months they get it right, most months they don't (shortchange). I'd like to see if they get it right this month.

[bigdaddyvoges]

Ugh....gov't jobs.....;)

[Essiesmom]

It won't be your local bank ATM, so probably not. But you can log on in the computer center and view your bank balance. EM

[newbiecruiser2009]

It won't be your local bank ATM, so probably not. But you can log on in the computer center and view your bank balance. EM

 

Do you have any idea how much they charge for internet access?

[TamLaiSang]

Just a couple of things of interest regarding ATMS:

 

1. Many people aren't aware that they are charged an arm an a leg to withdraw from an ATM that doesn't belong to their bank. Charges are often made twice...once by the ATM (could be between $2-6 dollars) and another time by their bank ($2) You could literally be charged $8 for making a $20 dollar withdraw, so make sure you check with your bank if you are unsure what the charges will be.

 

2. Many ATM cards have a MAXIMUM daily withdraw limit. Once you reach that limit..it doesn't matter how much money you have in the bank...unless you are able to call them for an increase...your out of luck. There are also POS limits (Point of sale) which are usually a little higher than your withdraw limit. Again...it doesn't matter if you have $2000 dollars in your account...the POS limit might only be $700. Again...if you aren't sure what your limit is...check with the bank.

 

3. In some Foreign countries...ATM cards that have more than a 4 digit pin, will NOT work! If you are concerned about this issue...check with your bank. PIN numbers are NOT changeable over the phone (at least in the past)...and It can be a pretty awful feeling knowing you have the balance in your bank account (or on your credit card) and NOT be able to access the money.

 

4. FRAUD ALERTS--- My bank frequently freezes my Credit Card, when they see me making purchase outside of my normal purchasing pattern, and they are unable to reach me. It can be VERY hard for your bank to reach you when you are at sea... so it might be advisable to call them and let them know where you are going BEFORE the trip. That way...when they start seeing charges popping up in Mexico and the Caribbean..they don't start getting trigger happy.

 

I spent several years working in a call center from one of this countries largest banks. I can't tell you how many people that called from the casino asking for just a couple hundred more dollars...or called stuck in Europe without the availability to access their checking account. Banks are loath to raise ATM limits or to wire money, unless it is an absolute emergency...and even then...for security reasons, they often require additional information about your account, that you might not even have with you on a cruise (ie. "Give us the date and exact amount of your last deposit"). A few minor precautions can save some major headaches should an emergency arise.

[jxkemerling]

the way to get cash is go to the casino and get some chips on your sain and sail the go to the cage and exchange chips for cash then it will be on your bill but no fees and it won't show on your CC as a cash advance and easy:rolleyes:

[TamLaiSang]

Just a couple more things about ATM Cards:

 

1.If you use your ATM card like a credit card (Check Card Transaction) to reserve a rental car or hotel...there will often be a $500 or more "security hold" on your card, which will prevent you from using that amount of money...even if it is already in your bank account. After you pay for your rental or reservation...the security hold will drop off, and you will again have access to that money...but it may not happen immediately. This same thing happens with credit cards, but is usually invisible to you. I would recommend using an actual credit card to make these kind of reservations or rentals...especially if you need access to the money in your account.

 

2. It IS possible to overdraw your account just using your ATM Card. The process is difficult to explain...but it basically works like this:

 

Suppose you have $100 in your account, and you use your Check Card (like a credit card) to pay $75 for dinner. Immediately after dinner, IF you were to call your bank, they would tell you there was $25 dollars "available balance" in your account. If you were to call the next day...they would tell you there was $100 dollars.

 

The reason why this happens is because Check Card purchases don't actually pull the money immediately from your account. The bank just issues a temporary hold on the funds, but the electronic hold is removed, until the paper or electronic receipt is received by the bank. It can sometimes take several days for this to happen...so unless you are really keeping track of your balance...you can over draw your account by spending more than you actually have to spend.

 

One way to avoid this issue is to make purchases with your card as a "Debit Card" where you enter your PIN number. The funds will be immediately deducted from your account, and will not be electronically returned.

[TamLaiSang]

the way to get cash is go to the casino and get some chips on your sain and sail the go to the cage and exchange chips for cash then it will be on your bill but no fees and it won't show on your CC as a cash advance and easy:rolleyes:

 

good advice...

[newbiecruiser2009]

Just a couple of things of interest regarding ATMS:

 

1. Many people aren't aware that they are charged an arm an a leg to withdraw from an ATM that doesn't belong to their bank. Charges are often made twice...once by the ATM (could be between $2-6 dollars) and another time by their bank ($2) You could literally be charged $8 for making a $20 dollar withdraw, so make sure you check with your bank if you are unsure what the charges will be.

 

2. Many ATM cards have a MAXIMUM daily withdraw limit. Once you reach that limit..it doesn't matter how much money you have in the bank...unless you are able to call them for an increase...your out of luck. There are also POS limits (Point of sale) which are usually a little higher than your withdraw limit. Again...it doesn't matter if you have $2000 dollars in your account...the POS limit might only be $700. Again...if you aren't sure what your limit is...check with the bank.

 

3. In some Foreign countries...ATM cards that have more than a 4 digit pin, will NOT work! If you are concerned about this issue...check with your bank. PIN numbers are NOT changeable over the phone (at least in the past)...and It can be a pretty awful feeling knowing you have the balance in your bank account (or on your credit card) and NOT be able to access the money.

 

4. FRAUD ALERTS--- My bank frequently freezes my Credit Card, when they see me making purchase outside of my normal purchasing pattern, and they are unable to reach me. It can be VERY hard for your bank to reach you when you are at sea... so it might be advisable to call them and let them know where you are going BEFORE the trip. That way...when they start seeing charges popping up in Mexico and the Caribbean..they don't start getting trigger happy.

 

I spent several years working in a call center from one of this countries largest banks. I can't tell you how many people that called from the casino asking for just a couple hundred more dollars...or called stuck in Europe without the availability to access their checking account. Banks are loath to raise ATM limits or to wire money, unless it is an absolute emergency...and even then...for security reasons, they often require additional information about your account, that you might not even have with you on a cruise (ie. "Give us the date and exact amount of your last deposit"). A few minor precautions can save some major headaches should an emergency arise.

 

Its unfortunate that people aren't aware of these rules. I however am aware of them. My OP asked a question if the ATM on board show a balance. I want to know this because of overtime on hubby's check. I like to know at all times how much is in our account. Not to know how much I can spend. I just want to know where my money is.

[klfrodo]

the way to get cash is go to the casino and get some chips on your sain and sail the go to the cage and exchange chips for cash then it will be on your bill but no fees and it won't show on your CC as a cash advance and easy:rolleyes:

 

Unless something has changed recently, you are charged 3% at the tables when you use your S&S card for chips.

[TamLaiSang]

Its unfortunate that people aren't aware of these rules. I however am aware of them. My OP asked a question if the ATM on board show a balance. I want to know this because of overtime on hubby's check. I like to know at all times how much is in our account. Not to know how much I can spend. I just want to know where my money is.

 

Sorry if I hijacked your thread...

 

:o

[Kcarp]

I want to know this because of overtime on hubby's check. I like to know at all times how much is in our account. Not to know how much I can spend. I just want to know where my money is.

To answer your question, I get direct deposit for my payroll check. When I was on the Valor, I made a withdrawal from the ATM and the balance was showing that my check had cleared. I think the fee was around $5.50 and I hope this helps.

[TamLaiSang]

To answer your question, I get direct deposit for my payroll check. When I was on the Valor, I made a withdrawal from the ATM and the balance was showing that my check had cleared. I think the fee was around $5.50 and I hope this helps.

 

Some ATMs will charge a fee just to check your balance ($.50-$2) Not sure if the one on Valor allows that or not.

[newbiecruiser2009]

Sorry if I hijacked your thread...

 

:o

 

No hijack - sorry if I came off as rude :o - I am in panic mode right now. We're leaving in 3 days and I am SOOOOO not prepared. I can do a week in WDW standing on my head, but for some reason I just can't wrap my head around cruising. LOL.

 

I like to kinda somewhat likebe in control of things and without internet access, my Blackberry, and being able to monitor daily our credit card account - I'm getting freaked.

 

Actually, I think what I need righ now is this cruise! Thanks for your input though!

[Egore]

I was wondering if the ATM on the Valor shows you your balance. DH will be getting his monthly overtime check while we're sailing. He works for the state of Illinois. Some months they get it right, most months they don't (shortchange). I'd like to see if they get it right this month.

 

 

The one on the Freedom did last week. I am sure they use the same atm system on all their ships.

[lollylew]

Do you have any idea how much they charge for internet access?

 

There is a one time set up fee of $3.95 and then you can choose several options:

 

1. Pay by the minute (I believe it was $.75)

2. Purchase an internet minute package (I know one was $55 for I think 100 minutes??)