No chip on credit or debit visa cards

Many of the ATMs in Europe are still set up to accept cards with a magnetic strip...if one doesn't work just go to another one around the corner. I just traveled in Europe in April with a magnetic strip card and it wasn't a problem. This summer, when I went to Europe again, my banks had already updated all of my cards to chip. I would see if your bank can get a chip card to you before you leave so you don't have to worry about it. Most of them are issuing them now.

Probably best to ask your own bank. My understanding is that ATM machines can read magnetic stripes -- but all of my ATM cards DO have chips.

Did you go to France? My husbands bank does not have debit or credit Visa card and he’s worried he won’t be able to get cash at ATM machines. We will be in Lyon do a big city. Do you think he’s right?
Thanks for any information you can share with me.
Mary

How about MasterCard? Forget trying to use AMEX or anything else.

I got cash this summer in Amsterdam, Stockholm and on Ærø (Denmark) with a BECU MC debit card. My BECU Visa credit card worked fine in Amsterdam, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

I mention this because you are in Seattle. It's a little close to your departure, but you might be able to join BECU, deposit money and get credit and debit cards before you go.

I have backup Visa credit and debit cards from a credit union here in Tucson. My local CU debit card doesn't have a chip, but it still works fine for getting cash in Europe.

Take a look at this RS travel tip on money for more detailed information -- www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money.

One of our two travel accounts is the old CapOne Hi-Yield Money Market account. As this is not a debit card account but checking only, we will never have a chip card issued to us to replace the magnetic stripe (per discussion with CapOne). In spite of this, we have never had any problem with this card not being accepted by any ATM we have put it in.

The card networks, Visa and MasterCard, have guaranteed acceptance of mag stripe cards at bank owned and operated ATMs through 2020. After that point ALL cards will need a chip to work at ATMs once the remaining mag stripe reading machines are replaced. Pre Paid cards will still not have a chip (costs too much for the limited life of a Pre Paid card), but that shouldn't be an issue ince most restrict their cards from ATM use anyway.

For now, you should be OK as long as whatever cards you use are labeled Visa or MasterCard.

Thanks Mark, you’ve calmed my nerves.

I thought everyone was required to issue chip and signature cards sometime during the previous administration? Maybe some financial institutions were exempted because they were really small? The logo on your card is what matters most. If your card doesn't have a MasterCard or Visa logo on it, I'd worry. If it has either of those logos, it will work virtually anywhere.

One thing the chip in the card changed was the requirement to call the bank and let them know you are traveling. If you don't have a chip, you will probably need to make sure your financial institution knows your travel plans so you don't get a fraud hold on your card. If you do get a fraud hold, most banks won't remove it until you contact them personally. Have a phone number to call (800 numbers won't work) and realize the card won't reset until after midnight at your bank's time zone.

Hi Mary / others. The confusion is that some people who responded are thinking of a debit or credit card, but it sounds like what you have is an ATM only card? I have two of these and they both work fine in Europe. Look on the back of your card for the ATM network logos (Plus, Interlink, and Star are common ones) - that is what the machine uses to validate your account. Note also that each machine has a withdrawal limit per transaction (around 300 Euro is typical), and your account also has a daily total limit (check with your bank and adjust if needed before you go). If your request exceeds either of these limits, you may get a generic message on the ATM like 'withdrawal not allowed'. If so, just try a smaller amount. Enjoy your trip!

I think Bob is right. I have a simple ATM card and it works just fine, sans chip.

I'm not aware of any US bank issuing non-chip credit cards anymore. Many banks are still updating debit cards so its possible to have a non-chip debit or ATM card.