Fish and chips--yes! Chip and Pin--??

Old Feb 19th, 2013, 08:21 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fish and chips--yes! Chip and Pin--??

I am heading to England this summer and I have been looking at currency and the best credit cards to use. I have read that travel is difficult without the chip and pin card. Does anyone have experience with this? Will a regular credit card work okay or do I need to get a new card . . . And does anyone have a recommendation for a cc company that does the chip and pin in the US?
gogogriff is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2013, 08:30 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,549
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
"I have read that travel is difficult without the chip and pin card."

No it isn't.

There are the odd places where a magnetic strip card doesn't work, but not enough to put any sort of crimp in your trip. Just use your current credit and ATM cards. The place you probably won't be able to use them are train/tube ticket machines (but there is always a staffed window so no problem) and the occasional automated petrol pump.
janisj is online now  
Old Feb 19th, 2013, 08:44 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh, good! Thanks so much!
gogogriff is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2013, 09:52 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where did you read this?
alanRow is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2013, 10:14 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In the UK, as noted above, there is almost no problem with this at present. Long threads exist about this whole thing but the bottom line, in almost all places you might go in the UK, your antiquated American credit card will most assuredly work fine.

At least for now and the foreseeable uture.
xyz123 is offline  
Old Feb 19th, 2013, 10:49 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I got the information from a couple of random travel blogs which is why I wanted to verify. There was an interesting article (nerd wallets? I think) about the system and why it probably won't be implemented in US--at least any time soon.

I am glad that my current card will still work.
gogogriff is offline  
Old Feb 20th, 2013, 05:32 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,902
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I live in the UK and use my American credit and debit cards all the time. Instead of you entering the PIN, the cashier swipes the card. Personally I prefer to pay cash for small transactions, so never run into the problem janisj describes (though I am sure she is correct).
Heimdall is online now  
Old Feb 22nd, 2013, 06:09 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 640
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Some US credit cards--like the Chase BA Visa--have embedded chips now that help when using them in Europe. There's no PIN, but the card at least seems to work everywhere without issue. Typically, cards are read at sales point and register automatically prints out receipt for signature (these cards are also called "chip and sign" by some)
KidsToLondon is offline  
Old Feb 23rd, 2013, 02:42 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I agree with all of the above. You will have no problems using your card in the UK. I would advise you to make sure that the back of your card is signed though. I often find that American visitors have not signed their cards, or prefer to show a drivers license rather than having a signature on the credit card itself. This is unusual in the UK and might confuse your server.
Miguel1892 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
scdreamer
Europe
28
Aug 20th, 2014 01:24 PM
TPAYT
Europe
9
Aug 10th, 2011 01:11 PM
Cadgirl
Europe
23
Nov 2nd, 2009 10:09 PM
skibumette
Europe
9
Jul 2nd, 2009 09:23 AM
gracejoan3
Europe
5
Mar 14th, 2006 05:50 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -