I've traveled quite a bit. The only time I had a problem I was in Russia. I notified my bank of the trip. Tickets were on the card (debit card), initial cash withdrawal there on the card, restaurants, street vendors, stores, online shopping, all on the card. Needed a bit more cash and the ATM ate the card. Luckily I had a credit card from a small credit union that had no such controls.
I've traveled quite a bit. The only time I had a problem I was in Russia. I notified my bank of the trip. Tickets were on the card (debit card), initial cash withdrawal there on the card, restaurants, street vendors, stores, online shopping, all on the card. Needed a bit more cash and the ATM ate the card. Luckily I had a credit card from a small credit union that had no such controls.
Were you in russia before or after... um you know...
The soviet union? It was 2009. Not in the last 17 months, no.