Dale,

USD based cards don’t typically earn you points. You’re better off using a card like the Scotiabank Passport Visa Card since it has no fx fees and earns you Scene+ points.

If you have a U.S. Address, it might be worthwhile applying for a U.S. credit card (from a U.S. Financial institution) that earns you points.

Hey Chris,

STACK does refund ATM fees if you meet their minimum monthly spend requirement.

In the case of the user, I was just saying it makes no difference in their situation since they’d be paying fees either way.

I personally use the EQ Bank card to avoid FX fees these days.

“I don’t think the no FX applies to ATMs.”

Interesting – I didn’t know that. I think STACK is refunding it, but I need to double-check that.
I’m also going to contact EQ and WealthSimple to see if they charge FX at ATMs.

“so you might as well just use your debit card.”

How does this allow me to avoid ATM fees?
Would I avoid a FX charge using a debit card? I think Tangerine would be the only debit card option, considering all of this. Agreed?

Thanks again!

Christopher, you’d have to read your cardholder agreement.

Note that unless you have prepaid your card an excess amount, an ATM withdrawal would be considered a cash advance which would come with high fees.

Also, I don’t think the no FX applies to ATMs, so you might as well just use your debit card or a no FX prepaid card like EQ Bank.

Can you clarify please: if I use a ScotiaBank credit card in Turkey, at a Scotia Bank Global ATM Alliance partner ATM (TEB in Turkey), does ScotiaBank still charge their $5 International ATM fee?

Does ScotiaBank’s Global ATM Alliance partner still charge there ATM fee?

Thanks again!

Hey Chris,

FX fees are charged but refunded if you meet the minimum monthly spend requirement. It’s likely easier for you to use Wealthsimple or EQ Bank since there’s no minimum spend requirement.

Do you know if STACK charges foreign transaction fees on ATM use?

Or on international purchases?

I suspect they do.

Thank you!

I never did end up with a physical card-even after repeated emails to support. BRIM stopped replying. I was also receiving messages that someone was trying to reset the password for my account. So, in January, after 3.5 months with no success at getting my physical card, I called BRIM, waited on hold for 30 minutes then closed the account.

Thanks for the explanation Barry. I went ahead and got the Wealthsimple card.

I signed up for the BRIM Mastercard, the one with no annual fee. I was approved, but it’s been 26 business days and I still don’t have the physical card. Their welcome email said “10 business days”.

I emailed customer service after waiting 14 business days. I was told to give them another 10 days “and you can use the card online in the meantime.” But I was planning to do shopping in stores while on a foreign trip, folks…..

Just an FYI. BRIM doesn’t seem to be a card to get if you’re leaving soon for a trip.