I believe the percentage is a currency exchange fee, not part of the atm fee. You have to read carefully during the transaction and select "no". Then it only charges the atm fee.
no not the exchange fee. hes being charged something others aren't. I cant believe only a few banks or investment places dont. I find it amazing. Is it really only schwab and fideliity that doesnt charge this ? No matter where you are in the world, zero atm fees with schwab. they refund you. And no. im not getting anything from schwab for saying this. crazy
@@joes8473 im told Union bank is the one to reach out too. But i haven't yet. Ive been using money transfers and my schwab card flawlessly. And using cash. Also The restaurants and stores that do have tap and pay, i use my virtual Wise card in my google wallet. yes cash is king , but more places including grocery stores you can tap and pay now. But obviously not your vegetable stands on the streets. Or small mom and pop stores.
I'm in Durres using a Capital One card. each time I take money out of the ATM there is a 6.50 Euro ATM fee that Capital One does not reimburse as it's an Albanian bank fee. I've tried serval different banks and the fees vary from bank to bank. I have not had a bank fee like this from any other countries. Then there is the currency conversion fee on top of the ATM fee. I try to take a large sum of money once month. My rent has to be paid in cash in Euros, then I exchange the Euro to Lek. I try to shop in stores that use cards and keep the cash for the paying the electric, water, veggie shops etc. I hadn't heard of the ATM fees before moving here either. Perhaps I should check into getting a Schwab account. Not sure if I can do that online and then I'd need to figure out how to get it here. I chalk it up as an expense to live here. A small price to pay for living in such a beautiful country.
go schwab or fidelity. My schwab always straight 8 bucks. given back at the end of the month. Heard fidelity does the same. Its odd some do differently. I dont know why
Why don't you open an Albanian bank that transfers the money from American bank card to Albanian bank and doesn't pay interest and use the Albanian card in Albania and pay no fees
@@patrickoverseas Yes, foreign citizens can open a bank account in Albania. The process is relatively simple, requiring individuals to be 18 years of age or older and present a valid passport.
@@user-bh4on8kp2o i could not get across im living here now. there was a communication problem. I was asked over and over why open a bank account as a tourist? I could not get across im living here now. I hear union bank is much easier but i havent had the Immedient need because im not charged fees thru my bank . But long term it is better for me. Im told by others to go to union bank. I just havent done so yet.
i very much am enjoying it here. The people are very kind to us. I became frustrated with trying to find out what banks dont charge % fees. I have never been charged this but i see others have. So im hoping we that are here can find out what banks to use besides opening one here as a option. thank you for you help.
@@tonyz9384I went to places that are well traveled and reviewed, such as Tirana, Berat and Vlore. For my personal situation (driver, dog owner, solo female traveler), it was a strange vibe overall. No need to feel sorry, I'm enjoying my life.
Let us all know when you open your Albanian bank account because you should be able to pull funds out if needed through your account. I was in Italy for 3 months and never used an ATM and having enough Euros to last me was petrifying because I didn't want to carry it with me but I also didn't want to leave it where I was staying. I have a lot of questions but I still see you don't have an Email established yet...
most say union bank is the way to go here. but a friend went to open and was told he has to have residency first. Imnot saying theres no crime here. But IMHO you will feel safer here then in Italy. Not trying to disrespect anyone. Just IMHO
Yes Sir. The ATM’s in Albania charge a % if you pull funds out from an ATM in Albania. Cheaper would be MONEY GRAM than WESTERN UNION. Unfortunately as of July 2023 ANY and ALL Banks in Albania charge 3-5 💶 per withdrawal 😕
I am confused, too. Not because of the %age, but what account u prefer to use. Do u prefer Charles Schwab or Wise for exchanging funds? And how do the two compare? Thanks!
i love wise. Cheap for transfer funds. No percentage charge when using card. But you cant transfer money using wise here yet. But you can use the card with no % charge here, just a straight fee of say 6 to 8 bucks depending on the ATM machine .I heard theres a way using a third party app. But i dont know of it. I prefer Schwab all the way. I hear fidelity is also great here with no charges. So for what i have been using. Wise card for atm, and schwab do NOT charge a % fee
