Creidt card use in France
Jul 1st, 2012, 05:09 PM
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Visa and MC are accepted almost everywhere and AmEx is most moderate to upscale places. Discover is not supported in Europe and Diner's Club is moribund everywhere in the world.
Do not expect tobe able to charge small amounts in local shops (as in 10 or 15 euros).
Do not expect tobe able to charge small amounts in local shops (as in 10 or 15 euros).
Jul 1st, 2012, 06:18 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,514
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
nytraveler's info is right on, but if what you have heard is about the issue of US cards not working in some automated machines, that has to do with technology rather than the logo/brand of card. US cards (or at least the vast majority) do not have the embedded chip in common use throughout Europe. They still work OK using a swipe of the magnetic strip on the card, but many self service machines (e.g., ticker kiosks at some train stations, unattended toll booths or gas stations) do not have a mag strip reader. As long as there is a capability to swipe the card it should be fine.
We just returned from 2 weeks in UK and France and had no problem using our US cards (MC, Visa, Amex) anywhere.
We just returned from 2 weeks in UK and France and had no problem using our US cards (MC, Visa, Amex) anywhere.
Jul 1st, 2012, 06:25 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Where did you hear this and what did you hear? If you don't have a chip-and-pin card, yes, maybe you might encounter a problem with, say, automated train ticket machines or whatever, or if you don't notify your credit card company your card might be rejected. Otherwise, in 30 years of traveling to France and 20 years of owning a house there, I've never encountered a problem.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 12:02 AM
#6
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
With rare exception, you must have a credit card issued by a French bank to purchase fuel at an unmanned gas station. If your credit card does not have a chip, it will not work at ticket kiosks (the RER ticket machines at CDG being an exception) or many autoroute toll booths (except American Express cards are occasionally accepted).
I have had my credit card refused at restaurants (twice in fact) because it lacked a chip and at a minimum, expect delays as restaurant personal, unfamiliar with processing magnet strip credit cards, attempt to swipe your card in various ineffective ways.
I have read accounts that some newer card reading equipment is now manufactured without a slot to read magnetic strip cards though I have need seen this yet personally.
Generally, in well know tourist areas, your magnetic strip credit card will be accepted everywhere. It's traveling away from popular tourist areas where you might encounter inconvenience and possible embarrassment. I now carry more cash than I once did just to preclude any payment difficulties.
I have had my credit card refused at restaurants (twice in fact) because it lacked a chip and at a minimum, expect delays as restaurant personal, unfamiliar with processing magnet strip credit cards, attempt to swipe your card in various ineffective ways.
I have read accounts that some newer card reading equipment is now manufactured without a slot to read magnetic strip cards though I have need seen this yet personally.
Generally, in well know tourist areas, your magnetic strip credit card will be accepted everywhere. It's traveling away from popular tourist areas where you might encounter inconvenience and possible embarrassment. I now carry more cash than I once did just to preclude any payment difficulties.
Jul 2nd, 2012, 12:24 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>With rare exception, you must have a credit card issued by a <b>French</b> bank to purchase fuel at an unmanned gas station.</i>
Most European-spec (EMV) chip-and-pin cards will work in fuel pumps, which are now issued routinely throughout EU and beyond. As of last year, over 99% of eftpos terminals have been converted to take EMV standard. All newly-issued French cards are EMV standard.
Most European-spec (EMV) chip-and-pin cards will work in fuel pumps, which are now issued routinely throughout EU and beyond. As of last year, over 99% of eftpos terminals have been converted to take EMV standard. All newly-issued French cards are EMV standard.
Jul 3rd, 2012, 05:09 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is that Wells Fargo card a debit or credit card?? It's bad enough if it's a debit , used to get cash from ATM( they have big fees) but Do NOT use it if it is a Visa Credit card to get cash. That amounts to a cash advance that has all sorts of fees ( interest, advance fee, in addition to foreign trans fees).
Jul 3rd, 2012, 05:35 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,514
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DebitNM is bang on here. All cards with a Visa logo are not the same. Using a <u>credit card</u> (Visa or any brand) to obtain cash is probably the most expensive way to go, as there are near usurious charges that begin accumulating the moment you get the cash from the ATM. These cash advances are nigh on to payday loan schemes.
On the other hand, if what you have is a <u>debit/ATM</u> card with a Visa logo, you pay the lesser fees. Still irritating, but a lot less than a cash advance.
On the other hand, if what you have is a <u>debit/ATM</u> card with a Visa logo, you pay the lesser fees. Still irritating, but a lot less than a cash advance.
Jul 3rd, 2012, 07:16 AM
#12
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In my post, I meant to say that Wells Fargo specifically charges a lot to use a debit card to get cash from ATM but that they [and almost all bank issued credit cards] charge even more to use a CC to get cash from ATM.
