A nightmare in Chicago

Since I’ve been busy fixing some major credit card and cash card problems, I didn’t have much time to explore Chicago. So I’ll sum day 1 and 2 up in one post. Let me tell you the story!

The whole drama already took its course in Washington, D.C., when all my travel documents were stolen, unfortunately I had my e-banking device in the same map. Then in New York City I learned that the magnet strip of my cash card was damaged. Ok none of a big deal, I thought, I still have my master card. I just don’t like getting cash with my master card because the transaction charge can be very high. I then called my bank in Switzerland to order a new cash card, on the same call I asked if my master card is still safe to use and if the limit is ok. The lady on the phone then reassured me, that everything is fine, I should use my master card, till I’ll get my new cash card. I was relieved and enjoyed my stay in NYC. Little did I know, that the worst was yet to come.

Last Saturday I arrived in Chicago, did some groceries, wanted to pay with my master card, but could only pay half of the amount. I was wondering, what was going on. Luckily I still had some cash with me, even if that was only 25 dollars after paying the rest of the amount for my groceries. Back at the hostel I called the 24-hour customer service department of my bank. The lady on the phone then told me, that I’ve reached the limit. I wondered how that could be possible for heaven’s sake, a few days earlier everything was fine and since then I didn’t take cash with my master card. I asked her advice. Since it was Saturday, she answered me to call on Monday during day time in Switzerland, when the office would be open, she couldn’t help me unfortunately.

I was petrified, sitting in my hotel room with only 25 dollars cash, no working bank card. If only my cash card would work and if I only would have my e-banking device, it would have been so easy to transfer money on my credit card, I thought to myself. I called home, hoping someone was still up since it was almost midnight in Switzerland. I just needed to talk to my parents. Luckily my dad picked up the phone. I explained my situation. And we decided to both get information how to get out of that situation. He sent me some money via Western Union, so that I would at least have some cash. But unfortunately the next day was a Sunday and every Western Union store was closed. It was an absolute nightmare, I’ve been incredibly desperate. You know, in the USA there’s no chance to book a hotel or rent a car, without a valid credit card. I felt lost.

I though tried to distract myself from all my worries and tried to make the most out of the first days in Chicago. It’s an amazing city.

Then finally it was Monday 1 o’clock in the morning in Chicago and 8 o’clock in the morning in Switzerland, and I did several calls with several employees. Everyone told me something different, of what I could do to get my credit card to work again. Finally there was a lady on the phone who told me, the right thing to do. I did what I’ve been told. Finally went to bed at 4, totally exhausted. I woke up to an email from my bank, confirming me that my master card is now ready to use again.

Can you imagine how glad and thankful I was? Most of all I was thankful for my family, for their help and effort. In the past days I’ve learned that family is the most important thing, they showed me that I can count on them no matter what. It already helped, to hear their voices, to talk to them, it calmed me down and gave me hope. Finally after I’ve been sent from one Western Union store to another, because obviously not every store is allowed to give money, as long as you're not owning a bank account in the USA, I got the cash from my father.

Now that this nightmare is over, here’s to better days of travelling…