ATM Machines: Instant Cash In Hand

If you're a woman on the road, an ATM machine may well be one of the most practical ways of accessing your cash.

While a money transfer overseas allows you to pick up your cash in any city where the wiring company has an office, ATM machines - also known as cash machines, credit card machines and automated or automatic teller machines - let you withdraw smaller amounts of cash almost anywhere.

The 'smaller amount' is key. Traveling women carrying backpacks and leaving cash advance machines or wire service offices are often seen as easy prey, and targeted by unscrupulous thieves.

The best way we can protect our money is to hide it in a travel money belt, of course, but also to have as little as possible on us at any time. Using a cash machine allows you to withdraw small sums regularly, rather than a large sum all at once.

You can use a 'hole-in-the-wall' as they're called in Britain to draw money from your account at home, from your regular credit card (beware their extortionate rates though), from debit cards (much better) or from prepaid credit cards.

ATMs abroad: the good, and the bad

Few cities lack some kind of cash machine these days (apart from countries like Burma and North Korea), at least in major cities or at the airport.

In case you're not sure where you're headed on your travels (and that's usually the case with me), you'll find ATM locators online for both Visa and Mastercard, the two major international card networks. If you're in that income bracket, there's also American Express. Print out the addresses, and take them with you.

If you don't use an ATM locator and simply use any cash machine on the street, make sure it has international cash withdrawals - not all of them do!

There are several advantages to using an ATM or cash machine on the road: you don't have to carry huge wads of money because you can withdraw small amounts, your PIN code gives you a certain amount of security, and you can have immediate access to local currency - especially in small denominations.

Cash withdrawals aren't free - whether from an ATM card or a credit card. Expect to pay a flat fee - often around US$ 5 - or a percentage of between 1%-3% of the amount you are withdrawing. Often, banks waive these charges for their own bank's ATMs abroad - so make sure and check out the charges before you go, and compare the offerings. You might be able to avoid the charges if you do your homework well enough in advance!

Many financial websites advise you to withdraw larger sums of money to minimize the charges. I tend to disagree - as a woman traveling solo, I'd rather pay the charges than carry large sums on me - especially after I've been spotted leaving an ATM! The only exception is if you use the money to buy a prepaid credit card.

Tips for ATM machines abroad

• Many machines have an English setting - make sure you select it or you may have trouble with withdrawal instructions in Chinese or Russian.
• Withdraw smaller amounts - don't be a walking cash attraction.
• Check the operating hours - not all international ATMs are available round the clock.
• Always carry a second card - separate from your first one. Keep the main the main one in your travel money belt, along with your cash stash. But make sure you don't take it out in public - that's what the ladies' room is for. Have your card in your hand when you approach the ATM (not visible, of course!)
• Choose an ATM in as safe a location as possible - a hotel lobby, airport lounge or well-lit shopping area would be best.
• If it's night time, don't go alone. If anyone acts suspicious, head for the nearest police station or crowded area (you can call from there). In fact, I wouldn't advise going to an ATM machine alone at any time of day.
• Most ATMs work the same way: put in your card, enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN), choose your currency and amount, take your money, and take your receipt. In some countries, your card comes back first and in others, it is returned after your money is dispensed. Beware of this, and don't leave without your card!
• Shield your PIN number from everyone around you - just as you would do at home.
• Memorize your PIN - don't keep it on a piece of paper with your money, and don't keep it with your card, whatever you do!
• Write down the emergency phone number for stolen cards and keep it separately. If your card is eaten (by the ATM), lost or stolen, report it immediately.

And keep your receipts!