Using Mcard for Banking vs. Chase Debit Card

<p>I already have an ATM card with Chase. Can I use this for expenses around campus as easily as the Mcard with the totally free banking option?</p>

<p>There are more TCF ATM’s on-campus than the other banks have. Chase has a location at East U and South U which is a convenient location but not as convenient as the dorm and classroom buildings. Also the TCF account is tied to your Mcard so it is one less card to carry around. The debit card and checks from Chase should be accepted by local merchants the same as TCF.</p>

<p>I didn’t use my mcard because I didn’t want to use TCF, and because if I lost my mcard (which I did with much more frequency than my debit card, for whatever reason), I wouldn’t be out my ID, my building key, and my debit card all at the same time. I had bank of america after I got rid of TCF, so I had to use the atm at east u and south u. It was not inconvenient, but it isn’t as though I had to go to the atm more than once a week or so-- when I had to go I just went when I’d be out that way anyway, which was all the time.</p>

<p>i recommend not using TCF – I’ve had terrible experiences with their service</p>

<p>I think you’ll be just fine with Chase. I’m an admitted transfer and I decided against signing up for the TCF checking.
I have two checking accounts with Chase and one is linked to my dad’s so that he can transfer money into my account if I need it…so that’s the main reason I decided against TCF, because my dad wouldn’t be able to transfer money so easily.</p>

<p>Realistically for me, it doesn’t make much sense to open a TCF account because all of the so-called ‘benefits’ don’t apply to me. I don’t care about a free sweatshirt and being the “official MCard bank” with “ATMs everywhere” doesn’t matter to me. I never carry cash, I use my debit card for everything so I have no need for an ATM anyway. I can use my card anywhere that accepts Visa (which…where wouldn’t?) and it’s a lot less hassle to get money from home. </p>

<p>If you’re a heavy ATM user then I guess I could see a point to switching but I don’t think you’ll have a hard time if you just keep your Chase card.</p>

<p>Thanks all. Very helpful.</p>

<p>Also, Chase is a national bank so if you’re not from Ann Arbor/Michigan or spend your summer some where else, you may not have access to TCF ATMs. Plus, Chase’s service is much better. I also want to repeat how bad of an idea it can be to have your um id/blue bucks/room key and debit card on a single card, it can be a real pain if you lose it.</p>