Is it necessary to get a card with a "chip" for a trip to italy? Right now, I just have the regular magnetic stripe card, but I've been told I should get one with a "chip". Truly necessary?

No, unless Italy is radically different from the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany--all countries that I visited more recently than Italy.

We were able to use a regular US credit card during our three weeks in Italy last May. We did request chip and signature cards from two of the companies with whom we have credit cards but they were not required. I believe chip and signature credit cards are supposed to be issued routinely soon.

No, not necessary.

We never had any problems, but the credit card company recently switched us to a chip card. Just let your bank know you will be traveling.

Buon viaggio,

Non-chipped cards won't be accepted at unmanned gas pumps or unmanned autostrada toll stations. So if you are driving, fill up when the station is manned, and use manned toll booth.

As Alex says, on unmanned machines you could have a problem. If a person says they can't do your card, have them enter the numbers manually--that should work.