Credit Cards, Changing Money and Banks
Unusually, for such a consumer-oriented society, credit cards are little used in Germany, at least by British, American or Australian standards. Though they are growing in popularity, plenty of shops and restaurants still do not accept them. Where they do come into their own, however, is for obtaining cash advances , and this is now by far the quickest and most convenient means of changing money. Provided you have a Personal Identification Number (PIN), there's no longer any need to go to a bank counter to make this transaction, as ATM machines accepting a wide range of credit cards are now ubiquitous features of German shopping streets, even in quite small towns. Mostly, they are just holes-in-the-wall outside banks, though some are located in secure areas which require a swipe of the card to gain admission. The machines invariably offer the option of instructions in German or English, and sometimes other languages as well. Typically, you are offered a choice of sums of money which can be withdrawn; the upper limit is normally DM500/?250 or DM600/?300, though there is often the possibility of requesting more. American Express card holders can take advantage of the full range of that company's facilities in the major cities. In comparison to credit cards, travellers' cheques now seem a cumbersome option, though they remain a safe and reliable way of carrying money. Theoretically, they can be cashed in any bank or exchange office, though banks in small towns can be very choosy about which travellers' cheques they will accept, often refusing even some of the best-known names. In contrast to the United States, very few stores accept them in lieu of cash. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to noon and 1.30 to 3.30pm, with late opening on Thursday until 6pm. In the cities, these hours are often extended and you'll always find at least one bank open on a Saturday morning, as well as the Postbank in the main post office. If you're on a tight budget, it may be worth shopping around several banks (including the savings banks or Sparkassen ), as the amount of commission deducted varies. Commission tends to be charged at a flat rate, meaning that small-scale transactions are not cost-effective. Exchange facilities for cash and travellers' cheques can be found in virtually all high street banks as well as in commercial exchange shops called Wechselstuben , usually located near stations and airports, though often also in city centers, on the main shopping street. The Reisebank has branches in the train stations of most main cities; these are generally open seven days a week, and until quite late in the evening.
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