credit-card-problems-abroad
 

How prevailing really is this problem?
I do see Europeans having trouble with their bank cards in the US though.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/06/12...me&ref=general

The problem is really restricted to unmanned kiosks in train stations, gas stations, or toll booths. I travel to various countries in Europe 2-3 times a year and have never encountered a problem using my credit card anywhere a real person can swipe the card. It doesn't mean there aren't waiters or clerks that can't figure out how to swipe a card, but I've not encountered that level of incompetence yet in my travels, thankfully.

Having access to cash is always a good backup. The article mentions having to trek back to the hotel to get cash then exchange currency, which is a really stupid idea. I'm sure there was an ATM machine right near at the train station he could have used in the blink of an eye to get cash.

Also read that article and thought that either the author was incredibly uninformed or it was a very thinly veiled promotional piece for the preloaded debit cards. It is misleading in that the train station scenario depicted in the article is clearly about using a kiosk/vending machine, which is not the only option as there are also human beings staffing the traditional windows.
While I do wish US banks would adopt the chip and pin format, other than unattended kiosks I have never had a single problem using a card with a mag stripe. The clerk either swipes or manually enters the digits.

I am in europe several times a year- granted mostly business - but still need an sopoending money/buying things constantly. I have NEVER had a problem using my US credit cards in any hotel, restaurant, shop or tourist sight.

I can understand this might be an issue in a gas station or toll both - a good reason always to carry some amount of cash in the local currency with you. I typically pull about $300 from ATMs and when it gets down to about $100 pull another $300.

Sorry - as for going back to a hotel to get US$ to change at a Bureau de change - that;s simply ridiculous. There is an ATM on practically any corner from which you can easily pull cash with your debit card.

No problem at all. My credit US card worked just fine, and for cash used a debit to my account in ATM machine.

I'd read that article and thought this person did not do their homework. We travel to Europe twice a year for 3 week s to a month each year and charge everything. I go to a ticket window at train, metro or tube stations and since we no longer rent a car don't have toll or gas problems.

We have always found it useful to use a cc for tolls, and had no problems in France last fall. I think we'll be prepared with enough cash for our long drives where we may use the Autostrada in Italy this year, but we're also considering opening an account with a local credit union that promotes their use of chip & pin cards before we leave.

Even in the NY Times, I've found that major publications often have goofy travel articles like this one. It's amazing to me how many freelance travel writers there are around who get paid for stuff like that.

But that article claims (who knows if it is true) that the original anecdote was a guy who couldn't use his CC after waiting in line to by train tickets and doesn't say where -- I guess it could well be that he was waiting at an automated machine, I immediately thought of a ticket window just because I've never waited in lines that long for a ticket machine in a train station. I guess you could, though.

But I was curious where the OP (Pomah) is observing Europeans having trouble using their CCs in the US? Why are they having trouble and where are you that you are observing Europeans a lot using CCs? I live in Wash DC where we have more international visitors than most cities (and I actually know an international community more than many people, so I'm around foreigners visiting here), and yet I rarely am standing around observing them using their CCs to notice problems.

Who writes this BS, anyway? More to the point, how does someone so ill-informed get published by the NYT?

We only had some random issues with our CC... In Frankfurt, in more than one place I was asked for my PIN number, which, of course, I don't have, but they accepted my payment.

The other issues we had which was more common, was driving thru southern France's toll roads, when those automatic machines repeatedly would not accept my Visa, nor my MasterCard, but accepted ONLY AMEX (which luckily enough I carried with me too)...

In one restaurant in Provence the waitress kept telling me my CC are all denied, all 5 of them that she tried to swipe... But I suspect they simply wanted our cash...

That's why it's always smart to carry SEVERAL cards, of different kinds...

I agree with the criticisms of the article, but after reading the 90+ comments after the article, some themes emerge from peoples' reported experiences:

1) There were quite a few people who had problems using the Travelex chip and pin stored money cards.

2) More than a few people reported problems with American magnetic strip cards while trying to make purchases in places other than unattended ticket machines, etc. (On my last visit to Paris, a Franprix grocery store in the 4th refused to take my Visa, saying they didn't accept magnetic strip cards. That was the only incident we encountered.)

3) Many people reported problems with authorization even though they had notified the CC issuer of their travel plans.

4) Some Europeans reported difficulties using their cards in automated machines (NY subway ticket machines, gasoline pumps) that require a zip code to be entered before completing the transaction.

Wouldn't you think that in this day and age that these problems could be solved. Why can't US CC issuers give us a card with chip and pin AND a magnetic strip that could be used everywhere?

"For backup, also consider carrying a preloaded debit MasterCard from Travelex" - this is where I stopped reading, sorry!

But then, I don't make large purchases that I wouldn't be able to cover with cash. Never had a problem with ATM cards, of course I call in advance to make sure which card will work in which country.

But I never had a problem with my MasterCard also! Except in some small places it was cash only, so what?

It is the unmanned machines that caused the problem for us-never places with people. Hub and I first experienced it at the ticket machines in train stations in France. Some of the ticket lines for a person kept us from just grabbing a ticket and hopping on a train.

Not mentioned in the NYT article is the American Express card we got with what we were assured has chip tech (supposedly-hub got ill so we didn't get to try it out).

uhoh_busted, where are you located? I'd sign up.

Except for the debit card the author mentioned (I just didn't know about it), my initial response to the article was "Finally!"

I DON"T travel to Europe several times a year or decade for that matter. However, I did my homework and knew well before I left for our trip this spring to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Paris what I had to do for seamless use of my cards.

I planned ahead and opened Capital One accounts for banking[to get ATM card] and credit card. In fact, I opened one for myself and a separate one for DH. I also took my AMEX card just in case.

I notified them where and when we would be traveling, got 4 digit PINs for the credit cards and had some US dollars for when we returned home.

We used are credit cards for almost all purchases and got cash from ATMs for smaller purchases. I wasn't going to us the credit card for incidentals, but I did see everyone doing so and figured why not?

The issue of having to much cash in foreign currency at the end of each stay in Sweden, Denmark and Norway was solved by using what ever cash we had for our last meal and putting the balance on the credit card. It was hard having 3 different currencies with similar names and just slightly different exchange rates, but it all worked out fine.

FWIW - We stayed in the 4th in Paris, and had no problem using our credit card at Franprix.

Christina, Maine GG explains where Europeans can't use ccs. It's almost the reverse of the US problem with automated machines. Any gas station near a Canadian border can illustrate the problem: you have to have an American zip code to use the machines.

Cristina , why do you say even in the NYT.....I believe times have changed and not only regarding travel articules, sadly,

I used to love the Times while living in NY, now I lost faith in it.....I cancelled my suscription , frankly I do not trust it anylonger. Sad.

>>>The problem is really restricted to unmanned kiosks in train stations<<<

The kiosks in Rome accept US credit cards.

You might have a few random problems, but I never have.

>>>The problem is really restricted to unmanned kiosks in train stations<<<

√and the auto bicycle rentals and unmanned gas stations.

We had no troubles in Italy in 2008 but the next year had woes in France in 2009 for the first time. What year were you there, kybourbon?

Again, the unmanned machines were the problem for us.

DebitNM - The Franprix store where my Visa card was refused is located at 16 rue de la Cerisaie. When this happened, the cashier summoned the store manager who was apologetic, but reasserted that they would not accept a card without the chip.

Again, even though the article was flawed in many respects, it was pretty stunning to see over 90 comments from all over the world, many of which reported difficulties with CC use even after making careful preparation prior to travel to avoid problems. The CC issuers need to do more to make international usage seamless.

At Roma Termini I have found that the older kiosks don't accept US CC's but the newer ones in the front do. I have only had three problems and we travel to Europe a couple of times a year. Once at a kiosk in Caen train station...but the clerk...put it through, once in Roma Termini....but it went through with the newer machines, and once in Ischia renting a car....and quite frankly, I think it was a act so we would pay cash.

I went to the one on Rue de la Verrerie;that must be why we had different experiences.

uhoh - Just curious about which autoroutes accepted your credit card for tolls. We'll be driving Lyon-Chambéry-Annecy-Beaune-Dijon-around Burgundy area-Troyes-Reims in September.

I'm also interested in which credit union offers chip and pin cards.

DebitNM - I'm sure my Franprix experience was just an isolated thing in one store, and it was no big deal at the time. Just hoping that incidents like this continue to be rare.

One major thing for new people traveling outside of cities in Europe....Don't expect to use your American Express much. You will also find that some places in and out of cities don't even like credit cards. I think from previous posters you will see the best bet is to always have enough cash. Basically, don't expect to always use your credit cards and especially AMEX. We have been to stores who have the Amex sign up and still don't accept it.

A friend of mine went to a restaurant in Florence just on the other side of the Arno but still in the tourist area and they tried to use a CC. The wife had to sit there while her husband went to get cash from the ATM.

What I just posted had nothing to do with my previous post on CC's in machines. It had to do with retailers and restaurants. It's not that they don't work at retailers and restaurants, some just don't accept them.

<i>I travel to various countries in Europe 2-3 times a year and have never encountered a problem using my credit card anywhere a real person can swipe the card</i>

I did run into a problem in France this June. I do not recall exactly where, but one place had a <b>new</b> hand held machine where it was not possible to swipe the card. I am positive about it because we discussed the issue in French.

Now I recall where it was: it was in the pottery exhibition hall of La Borne where we purchased a piece of pottery. The sales person was very apologetic about it.

U.S. Bank is offering cards with chip and pin, in addition to magnetic strip and contactless modes.


http://www.pymnts.com/u-s-bank-first...-travelers-br/

MaineGG,
Thanks for the link. I received a new USBank Visa FlexPerks travel rewards card a couple of weeks ago. When I noticed that it includes the Visa PayWave feature I decided not to activate it because of that. Even though the terms say that I have zero fraud liability for unauthorized transactions if the card is lost or stolen, the small print also says that USBank must be notified promptly in that event. The problem is that it is possible for criminals to read the card without stealing it due to the radio frequency identification (RFID) chip in the card and I would not know it had been compromised until I received my statement. Before I validate the card I am going to buy an RFID proof wallet. This will also be helpful in protecting my passport information. All USA passports now have the RFID chip.

After reading the USBank release I peeled off the activation sticker. Viola! There is the *spider* as I call it, more commonly known as the chip. This is a breakthrough for American banks.

I've had an account at ABN-AMRO in NL for decades. The ATM card has had a spider for many years. It is handy at times for paying when CCs are not accepted. However I rarely use a credit card in Europe. I use my ATM card at a bank cash machine and pay for everything with cash. People who use CCs for everything are usually paying a minimum 3% premium (foreign transaction fee) and probably more since merchants who accept cards have jacked up their prices to cover the cost of doing business with A, V, and MC. Cash is always welcome. In Europe I stay in 2* hotels and B&Bs and these places rarely accept plastic. Restaurants may or may not accept plastic. I always carry a few hundred euros with me. Losing that would be less traumatic than losing a credit card, though losing that is virtually impossible since I keep it in a pocket of my undershirt.

Back to the OP's link to the NYT article. True to form the NYT has published travel rubbish again. Look at the bio of the author and you'll read <i>Michelle graduated from the George Washington University with a degree in English and Dance. She has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and Lincoln Center Out of Doors in New York City.</i> She knows as much about travel and credit cards in Europe as I know about the other side of the moon. Does Michelle have a passport? Do people actually waste their time and money on the NYT?

spaarne...I beg to differ with you on several matters. I have a credit card that no only doesn't charge an additional foreign transaction fee, it eats the 1% visa foreign transaction fee and even gives me a 2% rebate on everything I buy. I use this credit card everywhere for EVERYTHIN G. I just got back from a week in London. I made a £20 cash withdrawal from an ATM the first day and came home with about £12 ot; everything else was credit carded whether it be topping up my si card, topping up my oyster card, buying theatre tickets, all meals, buying refreshments at groceries for half time at the theatre, my hotel bill, some stuff at a convenience store when I arrived back at the hotel each evening.

By far the best way to travel even if you don't have a card with the 2% rebate; cards from Capital One always waive the foreign traNSACTION FEE AND EAT THE VISA TRANSACTION FEE.

Capital One seems to be one of the best CC for not charging foreign transaction fees. However, we have a Starwood AX and a Chase Marriott Visa and the points we receive more that off set the transaction fees with free hotel nights. [Chase's foreigh fees are a nightmare]. This could be a repeat of previous comments, but we always inform the CC companies when on a trip. Also have two ATM visa cards with local banks and inform them of our whereabouts. Recently in Greece, AX was not well received except at major venues, but everywhere took Visa.