spaarne

A chip and PIN card can be easily identified by the copper *spider* on the front.

Ackislander

There are three generations of ticket machines that I have seen in the Metro. All the newer ticket machines in the Paris Metro and at CDG accept both swiped and c-and-p cards. Older ones do not.

Point of sale fraud is not a big deal in the US. The number of Americans who even have passports is small; the number who actually go abroad is smaller. Those who post here and other travel sites are probably not even a basis point on their income statements. Why should our banks roll out an expensive new technology to please us?

Gardenrose

Since I don't have time to get a chip/pin card. As getting ready to leave next. If I have cash on hand for the transpportaion does that work for the trains , metros ext. Just buy a transportation card with the cash?? Thanks

xyz123

ackislander....it's only expensive in terms of having to change all terminals in the United States......it is hardly expensive at all for all banks to issue chip and pin cards which would also continue to contain the archaic magnetic strips to those at cost, perhaps a dime, who feel they need them. As it is, Europeans who come here with their chip and pin cards have no problems as the cards also contain the archaic magnetic strips.

However, there is a movement afoot, perhaps you don't know, within the eu to restrict credit card usage to chip and pin only. It might not happen next week, it might happen next June or it might not. Then what will happen?

Why would the banks want to put at risk their customers? I just don't understand the reluctance, at the very least, to issue chip and pin cards to those who feel they need them. Converting the whole system to chip and pin is not necessary, at east for the time being.

It's something I just simply don't get.

greg

Foreign travelers to the U.S. are also hit by U.S. merchants not using CHIP and PIN technology:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44820048...ence-security/

MaineGG

In some parts of the US, you are required to enter the zip code of your billing address to buy gas with a credit card. This hits Canadians hard since their alpha-numeric zip codes are not recognized.

xyz123

The last poster makes an interesting point....the metrocard vending machines in the NYC subway require, I believe, the entry of a zip code. So just use a manned (or womanned) window is the response you get. But in the NYC subway, you can only use plastic in the metrocard vending machines. Station agents do not take them at least they hadn't in the past. Another nice way the third world technology employed by the USA banks on credit cards hurts consumers.


Also if this article regarding the credit card theft ring isn't a wake up call to the US payment industry, I don't know what is. But one would suppose the USA will merrily continue to employ this archaic technology no matter how much grief it causes the customers.

Scooterr

We bought a Travelex chip and pin card for our recent trip to Germany. I know we paid a premium for it, but several of the garages we parked in were chip and pin pay only.

CarolA

I know this is an old thread, but...

Today I opened my mail and Diners Club has issued me a Chip/Pin card.

So I guess they are coming and while this card does not have the best fees, it's better then the Travelex card I looked into before my last trip.

TDudette

"AmEx chip cards are worthless. they are not accepted at automated ticket dispensers & are not widely accepted in europe except in major tourist hotels & restaurants."

I haven't had the opportunity to test out that statement. Hub and I were turned away from the automatic train ticket machines and it really messed up our ability to be spur of the moment and "run in and run out" for train tickets instead of standing in a long line. I haven't been back to France or Italy lately.

So, CarolA, have you tried out your card???

Jeff801

Just back from Portugal and Spain. I attempted to use Chase British Airways chip card in gas stations, one toll booth, and train station. It failed to work in any of them. As a replacement for the magnetic stripe only card, it is a waste!

I am at a loss to understand why any bank would go to the expense developing a chip card without adding the functionality that would make it useful in automated settings.