Hi - I have heard that with Americans not having access to chip & pin cards (except those who are members of the UNFCU) that we cannot rent bikes at the kiosks in Paris because they only take credit cards that include the chip & pin technology.

Has anyone had success with this? If you have a chip & pin card, what issuer did you use to acquire it?

Wasn't worried about merchants as much - you can always get cash, but since I heard about the kiosk problem, I thought I'd ask those in the know. Thanks in advance!

They also take chipless American Express cards, but you're out of luck with a chipless Visa or Master Card.

If you mean the velibs, then yes you need a chip card. Im not american so i dont know where you can get one, but in australia, pretty much all the banks now offer chip cards, just ask the bank?
You can still use your non chip card in the supermarkets, restos etc, but it might turn out to be a pain, french machines don't like swiping lol

As kerouac says, the velib machines do accept US American Express cards with no chip.

Have you already made your trip to VT and Canada?

My bank here (Toronto Dominion) tells me they are happy to open accounts for Americans... a passport and another piece of photo ID are all that are required.

You'd then have a chipped ATM card...

If you are unable to use the Vélib system but still want to bike in Paris there are a few companies from which you can rent bikes on an hourly, daily or weekly basis. Here are the links to a couple of places:

www.parisvelosympa.com

www.parisbiketour.net

Great information, thank you!

PA, we did do our northeast trip but never made it to Canada unfortunately due to catastrophic car problems en route. Good to konw about Toronto Dominion - perhaps I can open an account with them before I go.

Otherwise, I'll use FMT's links and just do rentals at an alternate location.

Thanks again.

Jenny

Have you decided not to use an American Express card for the velib rental? I don't see that as one of your options.