Credit and ATM Cards in UK and France
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2007
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Credit and ATM Cards in UK and France
I'm almost embarrassed to ask the question...but will anyway. We are traveling for 15 days in the UK (Scotland & England) and then 4 days in Paris.
Should standard issue Visa cards cover us for most significant transactions? Are U.S. ATM card usable in Europe.
The teller at our bank wasn't much help!
Thanks
Should standard issue Visa cards cover us for most significant transactions? Are U.S. ATM card usable in Europe.
The teller at our bank wasn't much help!
Thanks
#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
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There will be no problem. France and the UK use "chip and PIN" cards but the vast majority of machines allow you to still swipe your card and sign as before. If you get any trouble just demand that the card is swiped.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
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We used our ATM card for all our cash in France last year without any problems. Make sure you have 4 digit pin number. Also check with your bank as to what your limit is. We upped ours so we did not have to hit the ATM as often. Have a good trip.
#6
Join Date: Jun 2006
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My credit/debit/ATM cards worked great in the UK last year - although they are moving to chip and PIN, so you may have to hand your card to the cashier instead of swiping it yourself as they're used to. They should know what to do, though.
In case you weren't aware, if you have Bank of America, you can withdraw from Barclays ATMs in the UK for no fee. I know BOA has a similar arrangement with a French bank but am not sure which one it is.
In case you weren't aware, if you have Bank of America, you can withdraw from Barclays ATMs in the UK for no fee. I know BOA has a similar arrangement with a French bank but am not sure which one it is.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2006
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janisj said the one true thing that you must adhere to.
Banks and credit card companies are increasingly screwing up their security, and you will 'pay' for it by declines if you don't call ahead.
For those of you who did not call your bank and did not get a decline from your bank, consider yourself lucky.
Banks and credit card companies are increasingly screwing up their security, and you will 'pay' for it by declines if you don't call ahead.
For those of you who did not call your bank and did not get a decline from your bank, consider yourself lucky.