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BBVA cash machine commission free alternative

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 3:39 pm
by Paul Uden
We bank with BBVA and since the Quesada branch closed have withdrawn cash in Rojales. However, this is less convenient for us and recently, when we have gone down, it has been out of order a couple of times. Switching banks seems too much hassle. So does anyone know where we can withdraw cash commission free somewhere other than at a BBVA machine? Even other Servired machines want to charge €1,80 or so for the privilege.

Re: BBVA cash machine commission free alternative

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 3:53 pm
by maxiestaxi
I have the same problem and use the Rojales and Guardamar branches, but only if I happen to be going in that direction.
I've found the cheapest commission charge of €1. 50 at the bank just before the Arches and next to the Chinese on the corner in Quesada but just can't think of the name offhand.

Re: BBVA cash machine commission free alternative

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:31 pm
by Paul Uden
Thank you. We are so used to free cash withdrawals from more or less anywhere in the UK it is a culture shock. We even thought about switching to Sabadell because we've heard good comments, but it seemed such a rigmarole compared to what we have become used to that we decided to stick with the devil we know (we've been with them 16 years). Then the last two times we wanted cash the machine was out of order. So, yes, we got some out whilst in Guardamar.

Re: BBVA cash machine commission free alternative

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:46 pm
by Jan
We bank with Sabadel and cash machine withdrawals are always free. I hope this isn't a sign they are all changing!

Re: BBVA cash machine commission free alternative

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 4:58 pm
by Cornishbug
Usually if you withdraw from your "own " bank wherever it may be its free, as from a few months ago withdrawing from any other bank will cost between 1.50€-1.80€..we quiered this with our bank

Re: BBVA cash machine commission free alternative

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:09 pm
by Paul Uden
Correct. It's still free at your own bank. I'm asking if any other BBVA customers have found a nearby non BBVA machine which they can also use commission free. In the UK you can withdraw cash free almost anywhere because of the LINK system, but that seems not to be the case here.

Re: BBVA cash machine commission free alternative

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 7:35 pm
by marcliff
I think you'll find you only get free cash withdrawals from banks in the same group as yours.
Sabadell has a big group and took over CAM, they took over all the Lloyds associated banks and have recently acquired TSB in UK.
We bank with Bankia and can use 4 other banks for free withdrawals in the same group but if we use a different one then we get "you will be charged......." coming up. Caja Rural tried to charge me €10 at the L'Aljub centre in Elche for €200 which I declined.
BBVA is quite a small group in Spain so doesn't have the same amount of ATMs to choose from so you'd need to ask your bank which ones are part of the same group, if any.
You'd think this "ServiRed" thing would allow you to use any of their machines but it doesn't seem to work that way in Spain.

Re: BBVA cash machine commission free alternative

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2017 9:19 pm
by Paul Uden
Thank you Marcliff. I am sure you are right. And yes we could go in and ask, but it's the queues! I have asked a couple of Spaniards at the ATM when it was out of order at the weekend, but to no avail. I was hoping someone on here might have already done the leg work.

Re: BBVA cash machine commission free alternative

PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2017 11:28 am
by Nigel Taylor
Once upon a time in Spain all withdrawals from an ATM could be free of charge providing your bank and the ATM provider were both members of the 'servired' or another similar network. This included most of the major banks. Then they fell out and started charging non-customers a fee.
I recall the same thing happening in the UK some years ago but eventually they made up.
I guess eventually Spanish banks will realise there is sense in allowing non customers to make commission free withdrawals and come to a sensible arrangement. They might also find out it makes sense for large supermarkets to have ATM's or give cash back. This is Spain.