I've read the articles and seen some of the posts about the Discover card not being widely accepted. Does anyone have recent experience with this? We are heading there this fall. We do have other cards, I just like Discover because the interest rate is way less!
Posted by
Los Angeles
5338 posts
Don't try it, Europe is not set up to accept Discover. MC and Visa are it, sometimes Amex. The Jennifer Coolidge ads are fun but they are only referencing the US.
If your Discover card has a substantially lower rate than MC or Visa, you need new cards. Everyone with good credit can get good rates these days.
Alternatively you could put your vacation money into a Charles Schwab account and their debit/credit card (Visa I believe) has all fees refunded to you.
I recently tried to pay for my British railpass renewal with my Discover, it was immediately rejected. Just like my Visa was immediately accepted. YMMV as they say.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8875 posts
You will just have a headache trying to use Discover in Europe, accepted here and there, but nowhere near common or dependably.
Just make sure your other cards have no Foreign Transaction Fee, that usually adds 3%, and interest fees can be avoided by paying the balance in total.
Also be aware of DCC, always opt to do the transaction in euros (in France and Germany) and decline any offer for conversion.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7991 posts
I’ve seldom seen a place that accepts it. Actually, I’ve never seen a place that accepts it, although a very few do.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23910 posts
It is not the card name as much as it the network that processes the card. The two big ones in Europe and US are PLUS and CIRRUS -- that translated to primarily VISA and MASTERCARD. My Discover card uses the PULSE network. Years ago I did see some places that took the Diner Club card along with Discover. BUT --- not frequent. I would leave it home and carry at least two or three VISA or Mastercards. And get their pin numbers so that you can use them as an emergency back up cash debit card at an ATM. Cash advances on a credit card is expensive but great if that is the only card working. Be sure to have a couple of debit cards.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
3025 posts
. My diners club card is now affiliated with MasterCard network, not Discover. I think they changed that years ago.
Personally, I would just leave the discover at home. It’s really useless once you leave the United States.