Mastercard Accepted in Europe
Aug 8th, 2006, 06:59 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mastercard Accepted in Europe
I am travelling for the first time to Europe, and will be in Germany, France and Spain. I have assumed that my MasterCard would be accepted anywhere, but my research is suggesting that this may not be the case. Does anyone know whether Visa is more widely accepted in Europe than Mastercard? I don't mind paying with cash or ATM if I have to, but I am mostly concerned that I may have difficulty making hotel reservations if they don't accept MasterCard. I don't want to apply for another credit card unless I have no other choice.
Aug 8th, 2006, 07:10 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I saw more signs for Mastercard than for Visa, but most places who showed the Mastercard sign also took Visa. However. most places we ate at did not take either, usually "cash" only. Also small hotels and guesthouses often took only cash. We had our ATM card withdrawel limit raised temporarily just in case we needed more cash to pay for both food and rooms.
Aug 8th, 2006, 07:18 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,305
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Europe, with Visa having a slight advantage. But, don't let that discourage you. MasterCard is indeed widely accepted.
Of course, if you want to have great assurance of credit-card acceptance, why don't you just get a Visa card as well. This will also mean that you'll have two cards to use, giving you more "security" in case one is lost, stolen or rejected.
Of course, if you want to have great assurance of credit-card acceptance, why don't you just get a Visa card as well. This will also mean that you'll have two cards to use, giving you more "security" in case one is lost, stolen or rejected.
Aug 8th, 2006, 07:22 AM
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My wife & I spend 2 months each year vacationing in Europe - mostly France & Italy. We have been doing this since '99.
This past June, one restaurant in Italy did not take MC, but they took Visa.
One very upscale restaurant in Tuscany said that their machine was broken & we would have to pay in cash.
We've charged hundreds of things - and these were the only two problems. About 1 in 30 restaurants only take cash. Of course, we pay cash for pizza by the slice, Panini for lunch, sandwiches, etc.
We stay in Gites (houses), so we don't use hotels that often & we've never stayed in a B&B.
Stu Dudley
This past June, one restaurant in Italy did not take MC, but they took Visa.
One very upscale restaurant in Tuscany said that their machine was broken & we would have to pay in cash.
We've charged hundreds of things - and these were the only two problems. About 1 in 30 restaurants only take cash. Of course, we pay cash for pizza by the slice, Panini for lunch, sandwiches, etc.
We stay in Gites (houses), so we don't use hotels that often & we've never stayed in a B&B.
Stu Dudley
Aug 8th, 2006, 07:34 AM
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Both MC and VISA are common as noted. Seriously consider raising your ATM limit and perhaps getting a debit card as well. Many hotels that accept cards will give a discount of up to 10% if you pay cash.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mp413
Africa & the Middle East
12
Mar 26th, 2007 12:34 PM
