Is a Debit Card Recommended for Paris Accommodations?
Feb 18th, 2007, 07:09 PM
#1
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Is a Debit Card Recommended for Paris Accommodations?
I was just wondering if a debit card (say, one with a MasterCard or VISA logo and part of the STAR network) can be used to pay for hotel accommodations in Western Europe. Of course, in this scenario, I would guarantee the reservation in advance with a credit card. It has been a few years since I traveled to France. Thanks in advance for your responses.
Feb 19th, 2007, 04:14 AM
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I always pay for hotels in France (plus UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, wherever) with a debit card. Mine is a Maestro but if they take that, they'll take a Visa or Mastercard one. (I know Visa do debit cards but do Mastercard ?)
I get the impression that Europeans use debit cards more than Americans do ? IMO it's the normal way to pay for anything.
I get the impression that Europeans use debit cards more than Americans do ? IMO it's the normal way to pay for anything.
Feb 19th, 2007, 04:20 AM
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Hi G,
Why would you want to use a debit card, where the money is immediately taken from your bank account, instead of a credit card, where you have several weeks before you have to pay?
In addition, if you are improperly charged on your debit card, you will have more hassle to get the amount changed than if you use a CC.
Why would you want to use a debit card, where the money is immediately taken from your bank account, instead of a credit card, where you have several weeks before you have to pay?
In addition, if you are improperly charged on your debit card, you will have more hassle to get the amount changed than if you use a CC.
Feb 19th, 2007, 04:26 AM
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Maestro IS a debit card scheme run by Mastercard International.
In traditional cash-based society, such as Germany and Austria, the take-up of plastic has been quite slow until the last 10 years or so when EC-card (electronic cash), aligned to Maestro, became popular, automatically issued with most bank accounts and many people today routinely use it to pay for goods, esp in supermarkets, where credit cards are not normally taken. Plastic use has been more prevalent in Latin countries of France, Spain and Italy, as well as UK and Ireland.
In traditional cash-based society, such as Germany and Austria, the take-up of plastic has been quite slow until the last 10 years or so when EC-card (electronic cash), aligned to Maestro, became popular, automatically issued with most bank accounts and many people today routinely use it to pay for goods, esp in supermarkets, where credit cards are not normally taken. Plastic use has been more prevalent in Latin countries of France, Spain and Italy, as well as UK and Ireland.
Feb 19th, 2007, 04:31 AM
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I learned something there Alec ! Despite having had both a Maestro (formerly Switch) card & a Mastercard for more years than I can remember - and working for a bank - I didn't know Maestro was related to Mastercard. Now I come to look, the symbols on the two cards follow the same pattern.
