credit card question

I always take all my cards. Period. You never know. Just don't keep them all in one place and use an under clothing travel pouch.

Carry on indeed. The Brits defeated Nazi's afterall.

Very little difference between Visa and MC acceptance in the UK. However, there can always be an unusual case where something is 'down' with one network and not the other.

Cards without embossing are pretty rare in the UK and can get confused with pre-paid cards or ones that need online authentication.

Hi Kathleen,
Granted this was not in England, but I don't recall seeing places throughout Europe that only took Master Card or Visa, but not the other. AMEX was the outlier and much less common. I only bring two cards max (more is overkill IMHO) and I've never had to resort to the one with no foreign exchange fees (the CapOne MC). If you have two cards to choose from, then I guess I would take one VISA and one MC, as opposed to two VISA cards (just for variety's sake, not because it's really necessary). There were times when my MC worked differently across different hand-held terminals but always managed to work somehow, if not by chip then by swiping. Have a great trip!

(EDIT: I got a bit confused...if your "go to" card is the one with no chip, then I'd bring another card that has a chip ...no matter what network it uses.)

Thanks to all for the quick responses! Marco, it's good to know that the non-embossed cards are rare in the UK. I do have an embossed version of that MasterCard, with a chip, so I'll tuck that in just in case of network problems somewhere. And of course my daughter will have a card as well.

This forum is the best - speedy, helpful answers to the oddest questions.

I've used my non-embossed VISA for the past 3 years with no problems in England and Scotland, but it does have a chip. We also carry a MasterCard as a back-up, but neither of them have foreign transaction fees. Remember, if your asked, have the charge put through in pounds not dollars - the "convenience" rate is a killer.

I used to worry so much about which CCs to take, but after living in Europe I started acting like I would "at home" in the U.S. We have 3 major credit card accounts (1 each Visa, MC and Amex) and 2 debit card bank accounts. We each take all 5 cards so we have what we need when we need it. Amex (gold) has occasionally been the only card to work when making a larger retail purchase. It has never failed me. Usually, the Visa and MC worked as well, but once-in-awhile the issuer would hold up a purchase because we were abroad. Never had trouble with Amex in almost 5 years.

I do stress that is important you and your spouse each have cards in case one is compromised or lost. My Master Card number (not the card) was stolen at a restaurant in London. Luckily my husband's card continued to work.