Massachusetts Travel Answers

Typically MasterCard is accepted wherever Visa is, and vice versa, so it doesn't really matter. Banks will usually partner internationally with each other as far as ATMs go. It's generally not an issue of whether or not the international card will be accepted at an ATM, it's how much of a fee they'll charge you. When they partner, there's no fee. You have to check with the bank. The info should be on their web site. You should also be aware that, although the card will work in an ATM overseas, it may not work as debit. I know that my US debit card does not work as such outside of the US (including in Canada), and I'm unable to get the benefits of that, namely cash back on purchases. However, my debit card is accepted for purchases as a regular, Visa credit card overseas. Hope that makes sense.

Thanx for your reply Colin. So .... generally both Visa and Mastercard are accepted well all over USA, then that is good. Both these cards are very similar in their set-up, their fees and how they work. They are not a typical credt/debit card, but a card set up specifically for the purpose of travel, both with very low fees - only3.50AUD per atm withdrawal, which I am told is very very low for overseas withdrawals. If neither of these 2 cards are more widely accepted, then it will just be a flip of the coin as to which one he gets. I am also currently in the same dilemma about which of these 2 cards to take to China with me in September - however I am leaning towards the CBA Mastercard. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

No problem with cards that are linked with Visa and MasterCard. It would probably be a good idea to notify the card providers that the cards will be used in a different country. This will eliminate any slight chance that any ATM withdrawals will be denied because the provider suspects fraud. If he is going to be in the US for a while he can also open up a local checking account with a deposit and use a local ATM card with no fees attached! I travel overseas a lot and use a debit card linked with my checking accounts, Visa and MasterCard affiliations. When I use it in an ATM overseas my credit union pays for my ATM withdrawals. I have run across tourists from other countries who use debit cards from credit unions that also have free ATM withdrawals. I also can purchase travelers checks from my credit union without any fees too! Remind your sun to look left when crossing a street in the US or he will get run over! Good luck.

Thanxs Rich for your answer. HA HA I love the comment about reminding him to look left before he crosses the street!!! And that would even be before inebriation!!! He chose UMASS Amherst as it apparently had a good reputation - and Im thinking thats great son, well done. But then he said that the reputation was for being one of the best party schools in America!!!

As the others have said, either card will be recognized. However, don't forget, in addition to the 3.50AUD per atm withdrawal, the owner of the ATM machine (US Bank or whoever) may and most likely will charge an addition fee for using it's ATM machine. This could be 2 or more USD added to the 3.50AUD. Check if any ATM machines owner will waved the local fee for the card you pick.

Since your son is going to be in the US for a whole academic year, I think it would be simpler for him to open a checking account in Massachusetts and get an ATM card on that account. The withdrawal fees (in both countries) can add up. Plus, dealing with an out of country bank can be complicated. With a local account, he can go to the bank and resolve any problems in person, face to face.

LOL! Yes UMass Amherst does have a reputation as a party school but it does also have an excellent academic reputation. Congrats to you and your son!

A quick update to the "Ben and Joe go to America saga" Well, we have just discovered as of a few days ago that Joe is now 99% NOT GOING!!! I want to kill him, yes that is true, as he has had doubts about not going for months, but not had the guts to tell either Ben or me or the Uni. Anyway, so that then leads to the question "Will Ben still go?" In a nutshell, Ben is very angry and upset, he says he still wants to go, although he knows it will not be as good as if he had his best friend (no longer his best friend) by his side. My husband and I have given him many options, but at this stage he still chooses to go. One option is to change air ticket dates (there will be a fee to do this) and just go for a holiday, that way we will lose about1,500 but will not pay out an extra15,000 if he goes for 4 months of Uni and does NOT have a good time. To me, that would be the best option, but if he choses to go, then of course we support that as well. I am sure he will quickly make new friends at Uni, it will just be the 4 weeks from when Uni finishes to when he comes home that will be the difficult part, a few of his mates have been talking about going over for a few weeks then to meet up, so if that happened, well that would be great. WHAT SHOULD HE DO? Can anyone at UMASS Amherst give me an idea as to whether a lone traveller from Australia is going to have a great time there??? Ben has his final pre-departure meeting at UOW tomorrow, so a firm decision needs to be made before then. I just wonder if Joe will turn up to face them?

Studying abroad is a wonderful opportunity to stretch your limits and see how people in another country live. Much of the education takes place outside of the classroom :), and it's very different from a tourist experience. Both of my kids studied abroad -- one in France and one in Spain -- and it was life-changing for them. They returned home more centered and mature, with a global outlook, and after graduating from university, they both went back to Europe to live and work for a while. If Ben decides to study in Massachusetts without his best buddy, it can actually be an advantage. Often when you come as a "matched set," you don't make as many new friends...because you don't have to.

I agree with Rizie. Also, if he only goes for a short holiday, it is just a holiday. If he goes to school, he should make some life long friends from around the world.