Be aware of new credit cards required in Amsterdam!
Jun 1st, 2012, 04:02 PM
#42
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$50 is what it is. I get miles, and have no problem using it. It's convenient and worth the price for not being stranded in Europe with out cash. Sure I would like it free but since I don't carry a balance I guess Visa has to make money someway from me.
I also don't want to have to walk 2 miles to a bank just to avoid a bank fee of $3 after I just paid $1000 for a flight. (now airfare is something that gets me riled up)
I also don't want to have to walk 2 miles to a bank just to avoid a bank fee of $3 after I just paid $1000 for a flight. (now airfare is something that gets me riled up)
Jun 4th, 2012, 05:05 PM
#43
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Hi there Melanie- to answer your question, there are ATM machines to get Euros at the train stations. But let me chat a bit about our recent experience in Amsterdam. I have read for years on this forum about the chip and pin issue without really understanding what all the fuss was about. We have travelled to europe many times over the past few years-(England, France, Germany, Italy) with no trouble. But then in April we went to lovely Amsterdam-now comes trouble! We were at the train station at 6:30am trying to buy tickets to the aiport from the kiosk. None of our cards worked. We were panicking until a young man noticed our dilemma and offered to use his card to buy the tickets and we gave him the cash- our savior for sure! The windows where you can purchase tickets with cash didn't open until 7am.-who knew? So be aware that if you are leaving before 7am, chances are you are not going to find the cash windows manned. Now I understand the pin issue! It is mostly a problem at ticket kiosks not restaurants and hotels. As we were waiting for our train my hubbie struck up a conversation with an American gentleman who has worked in Netherlands for years who confirmed it is more of a problem there.So basically, just be aware and carry cash to purchase your train tickets and if you are leaving early in the morning, perhaps get your tickets in advance. Hope this has helped.
May 26th, 2013, 05:42 PM
#45
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Good points and interesting comments from travel gourmet and xyz. I would like to clear up a couple comments that were false:
1) Boeing exclusively uses the metric system: we do? I've worked for Boeing for 10 years working with both domestic and international customers and suppliers I'm all parts of airplanes, and while we may use the metric system from time to time, our common practice is to use the standard system.
2). The U.S. is not the only country to use fingerprinting and photographs at border control. I've had this required of me when visiting Japan. Didn't bother me since I'm a visitor and don't really have a right to complain to the, about that (now that would be arrogant of me).
1) Boeing exclusively uses the metric system: we do? I've worked for Boeing for 10 years working with both domestic and international customers and suppliers I'm all parts of airplanes, and while we may use the metric system from time to time, our common practice is to use the standard system.
2). The U.S. is not the only country to use fingerprinting and photographs at border control. I've had this required of me when visiting Japan. Didn't bother me since I'm a visitor and don't really have a right to complain to the, about that (now that would be arrogant of me).
May 26th, 2013, 06:16 PM
#46
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jbk - I know you are very new to this site. It is always good practice to check the dates of the prior posting. You responded to a year old posting. You might want to start a new posting with current information.
May 26th, 2013, 06:49 PM
#47
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...and things haven't changed that much in a year except a few more banks issue cards with emv chips. A few FCU's issue cards that are supposed to be chip and pin if the terminal they are inserted in doesn't accept chip and signature. No annual fees. No foreign transaction fees. Some degree of rewards programs.
Bank of America issues a free, no foreign transaction fee card called the travel rewards card. But it's exclusively chip and signature.
USAA apparently issues a true chip and pin mastercard albeit with a 1% foreign transacton fee which might be a foreign currency exchange fee. I'm not sure.
Of course the USA has made no progress in converting to metric systems but that's not going to happen in any of our lifetimes I suppose.
But yes this thread is about a year old and I enjoyed reading my wonderful comments again. <g>
Bank of America issues a free, no foreign transaction fee card called the travel rewards card. But it's exclusively chip and signature.
USAA apparently issues a true chip and pin mastercard albeit with a 1% foreign transacton fee which might be a foreign currency exchange fee. I'm not sure.
Of course the USA has made no progress in converting to metric systems but that's not going to happen in any of our lifetimes I suppose.
But yes this thread is about a year old and I enjoyed reading my wonderful comments again. <g>
