Madrid and London
Mar 27th, 2014, 05:45 AM
#22
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Right, stokebailey. That amex is for unmanned venues where, it is my understanding, that the chip and pin technology is now a necessity.
Good idea, yestravel.
Next stop, Philadelphia airport!
Good idea, yestravel.
Next stop, Philadelphia airport!
Apr 4th, 2014, 01:25 AM
#27
also, TD, you may know this but IME if you want to buy something with a credit card in a shop in Madrid, you need your passport - which was a bit of a surprise to me when I was buying my DD a present in El Corte Ingles, but fortunately it was our last day so i had it with me rather than its being in the hotel safe.
perhaps you could research that too!
perhaps you could research that too!
Apr 11th, 2014, 04:15 AM
#29
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Thanks to yestravel's suggestion that I double-check with U.S. Airways about my flight/global entry status, I was happy to find the airline reservation had been received but NOT the global entry information.
So, thanks yestravel.
So, thanks yestravel.
Apr 11th, 2014, 11:34 AM
#30
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Today I gave all my credit card companies a heads up for overseas use.
FYI, when I called my Capital One card folks, I asked if they'd be changing over to the chip and pin technology. Of course the guy didn't really know but he assured me that when one is dealing with a person who has problems swiping a U.S. Visa or Master card, that if they should try manually entering the card number and expiration date, and the card should go through. He said that Visa has an agreement with the European countries to that end.
I've got an appointment at the Tate Britain to see 2 pencil sketches of John Singer Sargent's.
I have 4 days to clean, rake leaves, check weather and pack.
FYI, when I called my Capital One card folks, I asked if they'd be changing over to the chip and pin technology. Of course the guy didn't really know but he assured me that when one is dealing with a person who has problems swiping a U.S. Visa or Master card, that if they should try manually entering the card number and expiration date, and the card should go through. He said that Visa has an agreement with the European countries to that end.
I've got an appointment at the Tate Britain to see 2 pencil sketches of John Singer Sargent's.
I have 4 days to clean, rake leaves, check weather and pack.
Apr 11th, 2014, 01:54 PM
#31
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Ah - the exciting countdown - I am envious!
BTW the bank rep told you true on the issue of using non chipped cards in Europe. There is indeed a mechanism for the merchant to manually enter the digits. My consistent experience (though it has not happened all that often) has been that if it comes down to either doing so or losing the sale the merchant miraculously remembers how to do the manual entry.
And as to being asked to show passport when using cc in Madrid - never happened once during our visit last summer and I used the card all over town, including El Corte Ingles. I still do carry a color copy of my passport when out and about, just in case.
BTW the bank rep told you true on the issue of using non chipped cards in Europe. There is indeed a mechanism for the merchant to manually enter the digits. My consistent experience (though it has not happened all that often) has been that if it comes down to either doing so or losing the sale the merchant miraculously remembers how to do the manual entry.
And as to being asked to show passport when using cc in Madrid - never happened once during our visit last summer and I used the card all over town, including El Corte Ingles. I still do carry a color copy of my passport when out and about, just in case.
Apr 13th, 2014, 12:02 PM
#33
And as to being asked to show passport when using cc in Madrid - never happened once during our visit last summer and I used the card all over town, including El Corte Ingles.>>
it was probably 5-6 years ago when we were in Madrid - so my information may be out of date.
or perhaps the assistant just felt suspicious of us!
it was probably 5-6 years ago when we were in Madrid - so my information may be out of date.
or perhaps the assistant just felt suspicious of us!
Apr 13th, 2014, 01:51 PM
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Scan your passport and another piece of photo ID and send it to yourself in an email so you have those docs in case you need to get a new passport for some reason.It really facilitates the process.
Apr 13th, 2014, 05:36 PM
#37
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lin - guess I must look too old to be using a stolen card 
Do agree with your advice to email a scan of passport and another ID to yourself, post in a cloud space like Google drive that can be accessed while traveling. I do that, and have traveling companions do the same. Also include copies of admission tickets purchased in advance, train/plane tickets, etc.
Do agree with your advice to email a scan of passport and another ID to yourself, post in a cloud space like Google drive that can be accessed while traveling. I do that, and have traveling companions do the same. Also include copies of admission tickets purchased in advance, train/plane tickets, etc.
Apr 13th, 2014, 06:08 PM
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So I'm only now realizing - after seeing your post on MaiTai's planning thread -- that this is a PLANNING thread and not a trip report. Sigh. I don't have time to read it now. But I am a fellow art enthusiast who has been to Madrid; I will try to make time to look through your plans when I can.
Given your response to Maitai, I can say this: If you are interested in art, 4 days is pretty much the minimum for Madrid IME. And yes, an art-lover is likely to want at least 2 full days in Toledo.
Do consider separating your planning threads from your trip reports in the future! You can always give a link to your planning thread once you post your trip report, but posting something as a trip report means you will forego comments from all of us who don't routinely scan trip reports. Just a thought.
Given your response to Maitai, I can say this: If you are interested in art, 4 days is pretty much the minimum for Madrid IME. And yes, an art-lover is likely to want at least 2 full days in Toledo.
Do consider separating your planning threads from your trip reports in the future! You can always give a link to your planning thread once you post your trip report, but posting something as a trip report means you will forego comments from all of us who don't routinely scan trip reports. Just a thought.
Apr 14th, 2014, 05:07 AM
#39
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lincasanova, that is a great idea. I've scanned my documents but didn't think to email them--does that make them vulnerable in any way?
Are you coming or going?>>>I often ask myself that question, cold!
Thanks, kja. Glad to read you agree about Madrid timing. The planning is an integral part of a trip report for me so I respectfully disagree. Some of the things I do ahead of time might be helpful to those who haven't traveled. And, those who have traveled often provide excellent hints I hadn't considered. Like lin's above.
Are you coming or going?>>>I often ask myself that question, cold!
Thanks, kja. Glad to read you agree about Madrid timing. The planning is an integral part of a trip report for me so I respectfully disagree. Some of the things I do ahead of time might be helpful to those who haven't traveled. And, those who have traveled often provide excellent hints I hadn't considered. Like lin's above.
