The Rupee Machine

When this Canadian arrives at the airport in Bombay, I'll have a credit card, two ATM cards and a few hundred dollars in American Express US dollars. Here's the questions: 1. When I use the ATM machine, does it really dispense Rupees? 2. Does it first ask me how many Canadian dollars I want to withdraw in the form of rupees? 3. If not, does it tell me how many Canadian dollars have been debited from my account? 4. Do I really need the Amex Dollars?

Getting really excited now

Hi Ken,
everything is in rupees dispensing, account balance, withdrawal amount

when are you leaving?

Ken, all machines dispense only rupees. If your daily withdrawl limit is $300(CDN) then you will be allowed to withdraw a maximum of 300x34 = Rs 10200($1cdn=approx34rupees).

Another thing to keep in mind is that most of the Canadian bank debit cards are compatible only with the Interac, Plus and a few use the Cirrus network. Almost all the ATM's in India use the Cirrus or Maestro network with a few ATM's using the PLUS network. I did not come across any Indian ATM which was compatible with the INTERAC network.

Your safest bet is to look for an ATM which belongs to HDFC(Indian private bank). Their machines accept cards from Royal bank, TD bank, CIBC and all the other major Canadian banks. The ICICI and UTI branded ATM's do not work with the Canadian debit cards from major Canadian banks since these ATM's are not hooked up to the INTERAC or PLUS networks. One card which works with almost all the ATM machines in India is the card issued by ING Direct Canada. This card uses the Maestro network which is very popular in Europe and India.

Thanks for the info. Does the "HDFC" bank have many ATM machines out there for us ATM challenged Canucks? For example, is there one at the Bombay airport do you think? How hard to find this bank branch on my travels?

HDFC banks are pretty well represented in India, for a list of HDFC ATMs see here ATMs
Carrying a few cash notes for emergencies is never a bad idea and no I doubt very much whether you'll get a HDFC ATM in the arrivals hall of Mumbai airport!!

I used my Mastercard on ICICI and UTI bank ATMs most of the time to get cash advances. I used my ScotiaCard on Citibank ATMS.

Were you expecting chocolate?

Sorry, Ken, I just couldn't resist that! Especially as all the useful information has been posted already...

I use cirrus and mastercard cards regularly with no problems in shops or ATMs. Just don't pacic if one machine plays up... try another.

Keep your withdrawal slips in case you want to change Rupees back to dollars when you leave.

Have a great trip