My card was taken by an ATM near my hotel in Luxembourg. Has this happened to anyone else? Solution?
When my Revolut Visa got taken by a BGL BNP Paribas ATM on a Saturday, the hotline told me it wouldn’t be retrievable until Monday. By then, they had already blocked and sent it back to my issuing bank for security. I had to cancel through the app and switch to my backup HSBC debit. Luckily Luxembourg is very card-friendly, so it wasn’t a disaster, but it’s a reminder: only use ATMs connected to branches during working hours if you want a chance of getting it back.
I had my Monzo Mastercard swallowed at a Spuerkeess ATM in Luxembourg City. I went into the branch first thing in the morning, and after showing my ID, they returned it within 20 minutes. Staff were helpful and spoke English, which made it stress-free. A friend had a similar experience with BGL BNP Paribas, so the process is generally straightforward if you act quickly. I was relieved not to cancel and could keep using my card during the rest of my trip.
In Luxembourg, the main ATMs are operated by BGL BNP Paribas, Spuerkeess (BCEE), and Raiffeisen. If your card is retained, head into the branch with your passport. Most banks here allow retrieval during weekday hours, but foreign cards may sometimes be sent back to the issuing bank for security. Call the hotline on the ATM immediately to confirm. Until you know whether you’ll get it back, it’s safest to freeze your card through your banking app to avoid any fraudulent use.
Yes, my card was swallowed at a BGL BNP Paribas ATM near Place d’Armes in Luxembourg City. The bank staff told me they never return foreign-issued cards due to fraud risks, and it would be destroyed. If this happens, cancel it immediately and switch to a backup. The safest machines to use are at Spuerkeess (BCEE) or Raiffeisen Bank branches during the day. Luxembourg is highly card-friendly, so once you have another working card, you’ll be fine for trains, cafés, and supermarkets like Cactus.