I have read Rick's comments about the growing movement to require credit/debit cards with the "new" electronic chips. In Italy and Spain, my chipless cards have been fine. Now I am planning on a few weeks in Austria. Do I need the chip, or will card usage run as smoothly as it does in Italy and Spain?? Thanks!
Posted by
Corvallis OR
7034 posts
Aside from some automated ticket machines and un-manned gas stations, a regular mag strip cc will be fine. I had no problems with my normal cc last summer in Austria.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5389 posts
I live here and I use my US credit card all the time. The chip thing is so overblown!
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Thanks so much, all. Emily, I'm glad to hear it...I wouldn't know how to update the cards before my trip.
ttt
Posted by
Algonquin, Ill, usa
51 posts
I have found it's the automated places such as train stations and bus stations , especially museums that I need a pin and chip. I got a chip in my Visa but I asked for a pin as well. The people at Chase kept telling me that I did not need a pin but I insisted. It's a good thing that I did as I would've been stuck with out it! Our traveling partners believed the Chase people and ended up having to use our Visa. Do yourself a favor and get a pin number.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5836 posts
My magnetic strip Capital One Visa worked fine in Salzburg and the Tyrol year ago January. That said, I didn't try to use it in any automated ticket machines. We bought same day tickets at the Salzburg train station, but used the staffed counter for the group ticket.
No problem with my mag strip bank ATM card either.