Private automatic box surveys have become increasingly common in tourist areas, especially in the Algarve, where demand for cash increases significantly during the summer months. Many users are unaware, however, that these machines work with their own rules, apply additional commissions in some cases and impose different survey operating limits from traditional multibanco terminals.
In this article stand out the ATM boxes where it is possible to raise up to 1,000 euros on the same day without any commission, in two distinct operations, provided that the card has been issued within the European Economic Space (EEE).
The case of ATM Express in Monte Gordo
At ATM Express installed next to the Royal Bread Bakery, in the Houses of the Audience (National Road 125-6, 8900-000 Monte Gordo), the POSTAL He found that it is possible to raise 500 euros per transaction. Two consecutive operations are authorized, allowing the user to access a total of 1,000 euros. The confirmation was made with a multibanco card issued by the agricultural credit.
Brand confirmation
Upon contacting by telephone with the ATM Express merchant support line, the SIBS Group brand responsible for the implementation and management of automatic boxes outside the traditional banking network (+351 214 201 996), the postcard obtained confirmation through a carrier that “raising 1,000 € in two distinct operations is a feature of all Orange ATM machines”.
Variable Limits
The amounts available on these terminals depend on two factors: the daily ceiling defined by the card issuing and the limit configured by the ATM operator. If both coincide, the operation is successfully completed. If the bank imposes lower restrictions, the transaction is refused with the exceeded daily limit message.
Applied commissions and exchange rates
In some cases, the ATM Express terminals apply a surcharge (fixed rate by lifting) to cards issued outside the EEE, with values that vary the place. The cost is always presented before the operation confirmation, and the user can cancel the transaction.
Foreign cards may be subject to dynamic currency conversion, an option that often results in a less advantageous exchange rate. In the case verified by POSTALno additional survey rate was applied.
Useful recommendations
Users should be aware of some care:
- Always read the information on the screen before confirming;
- Request the Talão to register the amount and eventual commissions;
- Refuse the conversion of currency into foreign cards, choosing to charge euros;
- Privilege traditional multibanco whenever available, to avoid unnecessary costs.
Bank and Operator Responsibility
Although the operator sets the machine boundaries, it is the issuing bank that defines the daily card of the card. If the customer needs values over 1,000 euros available in these terminals, they can request a temporary adjustment from the bank or choose to lift directly to the counter.
Clarity in the rules of use and transparency in commissions are fundamental aspects for consumers to make informed decisions and avoid surprises in their survey operations in both atm.
Curiosity
In addition to the ATM Express machines, there are also the Euronet orange boxes, very present in tourist destinations. These are known to apply commissions and, above all, to suggest dynamic currency conversions with unfavorable exchange rates. In some European countries, such as Croatia and Greece, they were the target of public criticism by tourists who complained of surveys with costs far above expected.
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