"If the advice is misused then there's a logical fallacy."

No - if MY advice is used, then there's no chance the traveler will be disappointed. Let's propose a hypothetical: on the day before returning to the U.S., normaparker goes out for a day trip to Dijon with no particular intent in mind. While there, she sees an antique table that is a <i>perfect</i> complement to her dining room decor. And it's a steal at 2.750&euro;. She whips out her trusty MasterCard, and hands it to the clerk.

&quot;May I see your passport, please?&quot;

&quot;I don't have it with me. Will a driver's license suffice?&quot;

&quot;I am terribly sorry, madame, but no. The owner is very strict about this, and we can't even ask her to make an exception, because she is on the beach at Le Havre for the week. Without so much as her mobile.&quot;

&quot;But everyone on the Fodor's board said I would never need it.&quot;

&quot;!!??&quot; &lt;Purses lips, shrugs.&gt;

And there went the buy of the century.

<b>There is only <u>one</u> fail-safe position</b> - one that will work whether one's passport is required for identification or not. And that is to bring it along any time having it on board is more convenient than returning to the hotel, or wherever one left it.

&quot;But everyone on the Fodor's board said I would never need it.&quot;

Actually, the majority of answers relate to their actual experiences.
While you are correct that the safest course is to carry ID. I venture to say, based on my trips to Italy (the country in question) that statistically there's a better possibility that one could lose or get their passport/ID stolen than being asked for an ID by a merchant.
Your logic says to always make the &quot;fail-safe&quot; decision..
The original poster could pretty sure figure that on there own.
It's safer to carry an umbrella, wear a money belt, not cross streets in Rome, never take bus # 64, carry a GPS, get your Euros before you leave (bank systems may be down), not drive in Italy, etc.

Actually &quot;There is only one fail-safe position” and that's to not travel. Oops, logically it’s been proven that most accidents happen at home. Maybe we should travel, non-stop!

Nothing wrong with your response, but your lesson in logic wasn't needed.
In the USA, if you buy a $12,000 watch with credit, you very well might be asked for siome identification.That's universally logical.I wouldn't expect Italy to be different.
You are addressing the exception. It's just as easy to say &quot;Odds are you won't need an ID for most purchases, but there are always exceptions. This may be especially true with high-ticket items&quot;.
More or less that what most people here said. No need for &quot;Wise up, people&quot;. Their advice seems plenty wise and and without a hint of arrogance.

I can't recall ever being asked for an ID Card when I use my credit card in the States -- ever, no matter what the cost of purchase. It goes thru electronically, I'm given the slip to sign, and it's done. Very rarely even match the card/CC slip signatures. ((b))

Statistically, it's also possible that the merchant's CC machine may break down, or there's a power failure. So, can't use CC at all, with or without ID.

If a sale is refused for lack of ID, it's not a big deal: you are just being thwarted from buying something you almost certainly do not need. It's not as though you are trying to pay for an emergency kidney transplant.

We were in Spain for 2 weeks last summer and I was often asked for ID when using a credit card. I showed my US driver's license. The digital licenses are very offician looking, so it wasn't a problem.

official, not offician

I've never been asked for an ID with CC in the US, either, but I have a US-issued credit card and am obviously American. I've never bought a $12K watch, anyway. My experience in Europe with being asked for ID when using a credit card was limited to a few stores, but it had nothing to do with a large purchase amount. It was just store policy and that they do this for foreign credit cards, not European ones. As I recall, I even read the rules at FNAC when they asked for it, as they were right next to the register or something where I could read them, and it told the clerks to ask for ID when they had a foreign credit card. I was only buying a few books and CDs, although the purchase was probably over 25 euro.

&quot;If a sale is refused for lack of ID, it's not a big deal&quot;

I know that my wife would disagree with you.

I have, only a few times, been asked for an ID using my credit card in the USA.
One was because the card I was using was one I rarely used. I used it on one of ny business trips for a number of charges and the credit card company requested it from the merchant.

My wife considers Italy her personal shopping center, but have never been asked for an ID using a card.
Doesn't mean it can't happen, but it's really rare.

I must confess that a memory has surfaced of having been asked for ID in Europe -- it was at a service station on the autopista between Barcelona and France. Naturally, the normal thing to show was a driver's license.

The VAT refund form you fill out to avoid paying taxes on purchases above a certain amount requires your passport number. This does NOT mean you have to have your passport. You merely have to know the number.

The last time I renewed my passport it came with a wallet-sized card with spaces to insert the number and date of issue. I carry this with me in lieu of carrying the passport.

I had to show my passport to use my CC at Corte Ingles department store in Spain. The purchase was over 200EU.

&quot;<i>I've never been asked for an ID with CC in the US, either</i>&quot;

&quot;<i>I have, only a few times, been asked for an ID using my credit card in the USA.</i>&quot;

I find that very odd - maybe it is a California thing or something -- but here more often than not one is asked for an ID when using a cc. In fact many sales clerks are berated if they forget to ask to see a picture ID.

My US experience with being asked for ID with a credit card was in Florida, but not in recent years. I have spent more time in California and New York and have never ever been asked for ID with my credit card.

Just back from the annual trip to Europe. I needed my passport to enter and depart (at Frankfurt Airport) and it was not required on any other occasion. I booked into twelve hotels, none of which wanted to SEE my passport, though some asked me to enter its number. I paid for all accommodation and most meals with a VISA credit card, and was never asked for ID on those occasions, nor, indeed, on any other. I always leave my passport in a locked case in my hotel room, and, in over twenty trips, neither the passport nor any of my luggage or other items has been stolen. I did so again this year for exactly the same result.
On the other hand, my wife carries her passport at all times in a 'secret' waist pouch. She wasn't asked for her passport either, but she feels 'better' for having the passport on her person. To each his/her own.

I almost always pay with a credit card and with one exception, no one has ever asked me for my ID. The one time that they did, I didn't have it because I was running out to grab a quick bite to bring back to my room - but guess what? I didn't need it then either! He asked me for it three times, I showed him my empty pockets and he said &quot;No papers, no problem - I trust you!&quot;

The one thing that did cause me some trouble was that my signature had worn off the back - someone at LHR almost called the cops on me for trying to use it to buy a bottle of water and he yelled at me profusely for trying to get him fired. Just in case you were wondering, I did try to write my name on the back by I could never find a pen that would stay put without wiping off!

ciaolaura

Last time I was in Europe, I was asked for ID every time I used my CC. I just kept my Calif DL handy.

CDGVAL is supposed to run 24 hours a day, so it won't matter if you're staying at the Sheraton or Hilton.

Oops. Sorry. Wrong thread. Please ignore last post.

Hint: use an indelible pen to sign your credit card (or write SEE PHOTO ID on it). A Sanford Ultra-fine Sharpie does it for me.