US Cards Might Not Work Overseas

Not too long ago I stumbled upon this headline in another blog: "Why Your Credit Card Might Be Useless Overseas". I clicked through to the cited Los Angeles Times Article that highlights several portions of one man's trip through Europe where his American-issued credit cards just didn't work.

While this is unlikely to affect any of us during our tours in Poland, it does raise a good point. In Europe, many banks issue a credit card with a “pin” number and a security chip that is supposed to make using your credit card safe. This is not the same as our US-based credit cards and the cash advance PIN that some of us have on them.

This "pin card" really isn't an emerging problem in Warsaw, but there is an automated kiosk in the movie theater in Galeria Mokotow that allows you to skip the really long lines (most recently I noticed at the premiere of Mamma Mia) and buy your tickets right at the little kiosk. The problem with that kiosk is that you need that magic credit card with pin. As I was creating a line back-up, I tried two US-based credit cards with pins as well as my debit charge card that also has a pin. Nothing worked – I had to go stand in the long line.

You need that same pin card to use the automated check-out line (where the line is a thousand times shorter) at the Carrefour in Arkadia. Otherwise, and I know from personal experience, the people behind you will hate you and be tempted to throw things at the back of your head.

You'll notice everywhere else you shop, they have a little place that you can have your card swiped, or that little strange device where you put your card in and enter a pin. I think we are a very long way away from not being able to use our credit cards overseas.

Why Netflix Stinks... And Free Netlix!!

So many of us Americans overseas have some access to the U.S. Mail and most of us have DVD players.



Some of us have Netflix, and some of us are curious about it.



For those curious about it - Its worth a second look.

I pay for three DVDs at a time, and for the most part, I end up watching three movies a month. That averages out to like 5 bucks a movie - which although at first I thought ridiculous, actually is probably better than paying $27.99 (for BluRays) for a movie that I'll watch once the first night and then again a year later when there's nothing on AFN.



The only reason I signed up for the service in the first place is to get BluRay DVDs. That was it.

So I've had the service for a couple of months and while the videos are exactly what we want, the transit times are just painfully slow. What also drives me nuts is they offer a service to subscribers that streams movies to your computer... If you live in the States. And the biggest scam? I just got an email that says - and I am not making this up:



" Dear Dylan,



As you may know, Blu-ray movies are more expensive than standard definition movies. As a result, we're going to start charging $1 a month (plus applicable taxes), in addition to your monthly membership charge, for unlimited access to Blu-ray movies.



The additional charge for unlimited Blu-ray access will be automatically added to your next billing statement on or after November 5th, 2008 and will be referenced in your Membership Terms and Details. If you wish to continue getting Blu-ray movies for $1 a month more, you don't need to do anything. If not, you can remove Blu-ray access anytime by visiting Your Account at the Netflix website.



If you have questions about this change or need any assistance, please call us anytime at 1-888-638-3549.



-The Netflix Team"



So there you have it - If you watch BluRay DVDs - which is the only thing I actually use the service for - you are going to get screwed because they can squeeze an extra buck out of you.



But if you're interested - let me know -I have some free codes for the first month of service.

Free Cable!

In our little housing area down here in Konstancin, we get free cable TV - kind of.

Now I'm talking about like 8 channels with only one channel (BBC) in English (two if you count MTV2) and for the most part it's useless, but its free none-the-less.

Do you get free cable? The reason I ask is that I'm still meeting other expats in the neighborhood that have lived here for awhile and had no idea. This revolutionary information is not changing anyone's lives out here in Konstancin, but it is nice to see the local channels with a clear reception.

I've got to imagine if you live in an apartment, it's worth asking the question to the building management staff (assuming you're not enjoying it already). I would reason the same would hold true for other small gated communities.

All I'm saying is it might be worth a shot. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to watching the latest Madonna Video on MTV2 - I think its from 1987...

Ethnic Food On-Line

Sometimes you just can't get the things you're used to, locally.

There is a chain around Warsaw called Kuchnie Swiata that sells food fro everywhere. I can't read the website, but there's one in Zloty Terasy, Arkadia and one in Konstancin at the least. I had dismissed this chain until I found my favorite jalapeños from Mexico sitting on their shelf. Now I'm a fan.

Locally there are at least a couple of good Middle Eastern Markets (Samira Rocks!) and I've been told of some good Aisan markets, but have no idea where they are.

I'm also told that for mail-ordering Asian grocery items Hmart.com has a good selection of items. This is a large company based in the U.S., and since they ship via UPS (to the pouch), their shipping cost is very reasonable. For selected dry and canned goods, this is a good option.

And as long as we're talking about food websites, for those like me from the South who don't consider the Blue Cactus as real Mexican food, I use MexGrocer for buying authentic jalapeños. They're also the best source I've found for shipping out masa harina economically (if you don't know what it is- you don't need it).

Calling All USAA Members!!

This is really targeted to USAA members, but if your bank charges you fees for ATM withdrawals in different currencies, you might be interested.

I sent a short note to USAA via the message link within the site, asking them to consider reimbursing USAA Members overseas the foreign currency transaction fees up to $15 per month - the same way they reimburse ATM surcharge fees to people in the US.

The next day I received a very cordial email from USAA politely blowing me off saying they would consider my suggestion. I didn't expect anything else - it's just me complaining.

If you happen to have USAA, the next time you log in please consider hitting that little button in the top right portion of the screen that says messages and a very short email asking them to waive the first $15 in foreign currency transaction fees the same way they waive the first $15 in ATM surcharge fees? If enough people sent a short email, surely they would notice it's not just one lunatic in Poland that this affects - and I know I'm not the only one using my ATM card overseas.

Just Say No to Being Charged in USD!

I mentioned it before but was reminded again – never select a currency other than the local currency when making purchases overseas. Trust me on this!

‘Oh Sushi charged my credit card in USD the last time I went at an ROE of 2.24 (the exchange rate that day was actually 2.44!). When I became irritated, the waitress told me that the computer did it by itself; however the time before that they did ask me what currency I wanted to pay in.

I fully concede that maybe it wasn’t her fault, but we went ahead and found a new Sushi place.

Better than putting money in a mattress

Given the uncertianty of the stock market if you're looking to sock your money away somwhere safe, the Pentagon Federal Credit Union is offering 5% APY on Money Market certificates starting at three years with a minimum deposit of $1,000.00.

5% is not too shabby. You have to be a member of the PFCU but there are several ways to become a member if you're interested. The easiest way of course is to join the military :)