Loree

I've seen some older posts on the CHIP card in Europe, any update information on using American debit or credit cards in France? We will be traveling in approximately a month and wanted to anticipate any issues. Specifically we are traveling to Paris, Normandy and Brittany areas of France.

Thanks!

Sarastro

You will have no problems using an ATM card. However if you are accustomed to choosing from which of your accounts a withdrawal should be made, French ATMs will only access what your bank designates as your primary account (it could be checking, it could be a savings account, you may want to confirm with your bank).

Magnetic strip credit cards will not be accepted at most ticket kiosks, many toll booths, and if you want to purchase fuel for a rental car, you must find a station with an attendant. Your credit card will not be accepted at ¨pay at the pump¨ locations.

Expect some processing delays when using a magnetic strip credit card as occasionally service personal will not be familiar with how to process them. On a rare occasion, your card might be refused by a vendor, particularly outside of Paris.

janisj

There are threads almost daily on this topic --several a week anyway.

Nothing has changed - your cards will work <u>most</u> of the time but probably won't in un-staffed petrol pumps or some ticket machines.

Not a biggie unless you need to get gas on a Sunday afternoon . . .

janisj

We were posting the same time . . .Sarastro's post starts out about ATM cards -- nothing to do w/ chip and PIN

The cc part is the same.

janisj

Meant to add -- I left out of my post that ATM cards are not an issue . . .