Best credit card to use in Spain?
May 1st, 2012, 12:56 PM
#21
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I am getting a bit anal about this, I know.
But just for clarification purposes: a drivers license from any US state is not a govt issued ID as it is no ID issued by the US government. It has become a surrogate as you don't have mandatory ID cards but it does not have any status outside the USA (and maybe neighboring countries which officially accept it as ID).
In Europe, your US drivers license is good for exactly one thing: to prove that you are allowed to drive a vehicle. Period.
Some merchants or hoteliers may or may not accept it out of courtesy or ignorance but whenever real ID is required this means passport or national ID card.
But just for clarification purposes: a drivers license from any US state is not a govt issued ID as it is no ID issued by the US government. It has become a surrogate as you don't have mandatory ID cards but it does not have any status outside the USA (and maybe neighboring countries which officially accept it as ID).
In Europe, your US drivers license is good for exactly one thing: to prove that you are allowed to drive a vehicle. Period.
Some merchants or hoteliers may or may not accept it out of courtesy or ignorance but whenever real ID is required this means passport or national ID card.
May 1st, 2012, 02:49 PM
#22
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What about the enhanced drivers licenses issued by Washington State and a few other border states? They are used in lieu of a passport when crossing into and returning from Canada. They are in fact officially recognized US Government IDs, as are the Nexus and Global Entry cards.
There is also the wallet size U.S. Passport Card (a national ID card if there ever was one) for use in Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry, and could, conceivably, be use in place of a passport for identification in the EU, as it is stamped United States of America Passport Card and has a passport number. It cannot be used for international air travel (no place to put the visa stamp).
There is also the wallet size U.S. Passport Card (a national ID card if there ever was one) for use in Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry, and could, conceivably, be use in place of a passport for identification in the EU, as it is stamped United States of America Passport Card and has a passport number. It cannot be used for international air travel (no place to put the visa stamp).
May 1st, 2012, 03:14 PM
#23
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The passport card would qualify. Though you may have another problems that merchants here may not be familiiar with them. But technically you are correct.
If the other cards you mentioned also are issued (and not only endorsed or accepted) by the federal government then those should qualify for ID purposes as well.
If it's any consolation, the British and Irish have the same problem. They also have to bring their clunky big ole passports with them. Though I have not seen many complaints here about it.
The reason for not accepting drivers licenses here is that many EU countries don't have any obligations that you have to renew your DL in regular intervals. For example, my DL got issued in 2000 (actually much earlier but I had to replace it), and still has the old picture, no info on residence etc. If I ran into a police control, I would have to show my DL and my ID card. The DL alone would be useless.
If the other cards you mentioned also are issued (and not only endorsed or accepted) by the federal government then those should qualify for ID purposes as well.
If it's any consolation, the British and Irish have the same problem. They also have to bring their clunky big ole passports with them. Though I have not seen many complaints here about it.
The reason for not accepting drivers licenses here is that many EU countries don't have any obligations that you have to renew your DL in regular intervals. For example, my DL got issued in 2000 (actually much earlier but I had to replace it), and still has the old picture, no info on residence etc. If I ran into a police control, I would have to show my DL and my ID card. The DL alone would be useless.
May 1st, 2012, 03:29 PM
#24
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I was just there in late March/early April of this year. I used my Capitol One credit card and I paid no fees. I used my ATM card to get €'s.
One caution, avoid the ATM's owned by a bank called Caixa. (sp?) The ATM charged me €3 for a withdrawal and this was the first time a European ATM ever charged a withdrawal fee. Another bank called BBVA did not charge me at all, however the ATM offered to charge the withdrawl in either USD or €. <b>Be sure to choose €.</b> If you choose to be charged in USD they will give you a terrible rate of exchange.
One caution, avoid the ATM's owned by a bank called Caixa. (sp?) The ATM charged me €3 for a withdrawal and this was the first time a European ATM ever charged a withdrawal fee. Another bank called BBVA did not charge me at all, however the ATM offered to charge the withdrawl in either USD or €. <b>Be sure to choose €.</b> If you choose to be charged in USD they will give you a terrible rate of exchange.
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