If it is becoming difficult to use Visa and Mastercard to purchase petrol, how about general shopping...?
Mar 25th, 2004, 08:32 AM
#21
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Mar 25th, 2004, 08:37 AM
#22
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Let me clarify the confusion over cards with a chip (smartcard). 'Chip and Pin' is being introduced in UK and many other European countries, so that with the right kind of terminal you enter your Pin instead of signing the voucher after a transaction. This is indeed to cut down on frauds. However, cards without a chip will continue to be useable as the terminal can also read the magnetic strip and you sign the chit as before.
Now in France, they have been using smartcard for a number of years (certainly since late-80's), but their system is incompatible with the newer international format being rolled out elsewhere. Their terminals only accept French cards, and reject smartcards from elsewhere. If there is an operator available, cards can be swiped and there's no problem. But at unmanned point-of-sale, whether it's fuel pump or metro station, you are out of luck.
Now in France, they have been using smartcard for a number of years (certainly since late-80's), but their system is incompatible with the newer international format being rolled out elsewhere. Their terminals only accept French cards, and reject smartcards from elsewhere. If there is an operator available, cards can be swiped and there's no problem. But at unmanned point-of-sale, whether it's fuel pump or metro station, you are out of luck.
Mar 25th, 2004, 08:49 AM
#23
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On our trip to Germany in June 2002, we managed to find 2 gas stations that did not take Visa or MC. These were not little mom and pop places--one was outside of Coberg and one was just off the autobahn between Schwaebisch Hall and Heidelberg. The second one had Visa and MC logos displayed. I asked about it and the attendent said that Visa/MC charges had become too high so they were only taking some European credit card. It was inconvenient to have to come up with the cash.
The other gas stations we used took MC or Visa, but it might not be true that all do so.
The other gas stations we used took MC or Visa, but it might not be true that all do so.
Mar 25th, 2004, 09:54 AM
#24
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That chip thing is becoming a bit of an issue. We've learned in the past couple of trips that our credit cards no longer work in a lot of metro ticket machines as well as the train ticket machines in a couple of cities. Our first discovery to that effect was in Amsterdam, and finally someone at one of the windows told us since we were from the US, that was the reason. "US credit cards aren't as up-to-date as ours here in the Netherlands". I guess he was right!!
Mar 25th, 2004, 12:20 PM
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The only U.S. card with a Smart Chip that I know of is American Express' Blue Card. Not sure if it even helps with using in Europe. But what others have said about automatic ticket machine not taking our regular cards is true.
