Thread: Say no to ATM charges for life

Don't mean to beat a dead horse, but I've been attracted to free ATM surcharge machines, considering that before, I was using a local credit union and getting raped on ATM charges when using a debit card. I since defaulted back to my primary bank of years ago, Navy Federal Credit Union, and here is what is happening with the ATM's.

For starters, they now co-op with alot of places, such as Costco, Sams, Walmart, other credit unions, seven eleven stores, in my local area. I recently was in Miami and punched in their co-op locator ATM's and found plenty around such as PUBLIX, Walgreens and many more real close to my hotel. I have known other people that banked with local credit unions and their selection of co-op surcharge free atm's were either not present or you had to really go find these places, usually other credit unions.

I know other banks or credit unions offer better co-op atm's depending on which bank you belong to. Ever since I ditched a debit card and went with a visa check card, my ATM fee situation has dwindled, only used a non-co-op place one time, in the last six months or so, cost me total 2.75. I have since made up that fee in dividends since I use FLAGSHIP checking, which basically means that if I keep a certain amount in my checking, I get far better dividends than savings or checking offers. So how many banks do you know where you actually come out ahead in dividends versus ATM charges?

We may not be talking much in terms of convenience or gas money, or yearly amount but every little bit adds up and we all know paying ATM fees really suck don't they? Don't have to be a member of NFCU as I am to have that kind of good deal. I was searching SMARTFINANCIAL credit union which is up the street, and thei'r surcharge free co-ops are just as good as mine. But I see others that really stink, including PENTAGON, ALLIANT, or VYSTAR. Vystar is a local Jacksonville credit union, great if you live in Jacksonville, and lots of Vystar credit unions there, but once you leave town, your ATM's are zapped with fees due to the lack of co-ops. Pentagon was limited in Miami to DADE FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONS. So you couldn't use a fee ATM at the grocery store like Publix such as I could with NFCU.

So investigate your bank and see what kind of atm fees you are paying and understand your bank/credit union co-op situation. So to non-free ATM machines, take your ATM fees and shove it, I aint comin there no moah!