Chip and Sign credit cards usage in europe
Jul 1st, 2017, 10:24 PM
#62
Join Date: Apr 2007
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<i>What's the difference between an online PIN and an offline PIN?</i>
An on-line PIN is one which is stored in an on-line database. When the user enters his PIN into the card machine, the entry is crosschecked real time using an internet connection to a central database. This slows the transaction noticeably and at locations without on-line capability, such as at many pay-at-the-pump stations, cards cannot be authorized. Card issuing banks can change a users PIN by simply changing the database information.
European cards, and some US issued cards, use off-line PINs, PINs which are burned into the chip. When the user enters a PIN into a card machine, the entry is compared with the PIN stored in the card. If a user wants to change his PIN, he must change his card.
US banks prefer on-line PINs because they can easily control PIN usage. As a consumer and visitor to Europe, you´ll have wider acceptance of your credit card if you have an off-line PIN.
An on-line PIN is one which is stored in an on-line database. When the user enters his PIN into the card machine, the entry is crosschecked real time using an internet connection to a central database. This slows the transaction noticeably and at locations without on-line capability, such as at many pay-at-the-pump stations, cards cannot be authorized. Card issuing banks can change a users PIN by simply changing the database information.
European cards, and some US issued cards, use off-line PINs, PINs which are burned into the chip. When the user enters a PIN into a card machine, the entry is compared with the PIN stored in the card. If a user wants to change his PIN, he must change his card.
US banks prefer on-line PINs because they can easily control PIN usage. As a consumer and visitor to Europe, you´ll have wider acceptance of your credit card if you have an off-line PIN.
Jul 3rd, 2017, 06:52 AM
#63
Join Date: May 2016
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The last week or so has been interesting using a MasterCard (Barclays) pin and signature card, some restaurants, and one shop today, didn't ask for a signature, something we didn't experience in March in Paris and Leon. Must be something new.
