I am planning a trip next April so have been reading these boards frequently. There seems to be some conflicting information on a few of the discussions around ATM/Debit cards but my question today is on the American Express "Blue" card. I have read that this card has the "chip" that most American cards don't have and can be used in the machines for train stations, etc. Is this true because elsewhere I read it has a "chip" but not the "European type chip" whatever that means. I am just trying to find out which card is best to take as a credit card.
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
Visa
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Apparently AE has decided to remove the chip from their Blue card. At one time it did have the chip, and a picture of the card with the chip still appears on AEs website. But a couple of weeks ago someone PM me and said they called AE and they specifically said none of their cards in the US have chips.
Having said that, even if they still offered a chip card it's unlikely to help you out as AE isn't widely accepted as a form of payment in Europe (chip or no chip). If you really want a chip card in your travels, you should purchase a pre-paid (MC or Visa) debit card when you arrive in Europe; they will have the chip. They can easily be purchased at the currency exchange desks at the airport. The downside is that these cards have lot of fees attached to them:
Posted by
winston salem, nc, usa
1078 posts
About 4 years ago, I went down that path and it was probably the worst experience I have had using and dealing with an Amex product. Not only didn't it work in the EU where a chip was required, but the conversion charges, fees, etc, were totally obscene! When I returned home and received my "blue" bill, I turned blue along with my language. Needless to say, Amex and I came to an agreement that we split the fees, and I happily put that card through the shredder. Funny thing though, it still shows up as a canceled card on my e-statements, maybe to remind me that when it's too good to be true, it normally is.
Posted by
OP
Sedona
85 posts
Sounds like I will be using my Capital One card over there and save my Am Ex card for US purchases....thanks.
Posted by
Copenhagen, Denmark
265 posts
And funny enough, American Express cards are the only cards in Europe that come without chip.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
We just got back. Visa or Mastercard is widely accepted. The pin question caught us more than once. Most cashiers simply said, "no problem," when we didn't have a pin and processed the transaction with a signature on paper. Some didn't know what to do and we generally ended up paying cash in those instances.
Posted by
OP
Sedona
85 posts
So it sounds like you want to have a reliable ATM card to access cash and don't rely totally on your Credit cards like most Americans do.
Posted by
San Francisco, California, USA
446 posts
It is possible to get a green or gold AMEX card that has a European chip. They even have a card in Euros.
But, it's expensive (big annual fee). It's from AMEX in the UK, and they do accept applications from Americans.
However, as others have pointed out, AMEX is not very useful in Europe, except at big hotels and fancy restaurants. Most merchants don't want to pay AMEX's high merchant fees.
Posted by
York, PA
300 posts
Most cashiers simply said, "no problem," when we didn't have a pin and processed the transaction with a signature on paper. <<
I've found that saying "No PIN" while making a signing motion is about as universally understood as "Toilet."
Posted by
OP
Sedona
85 posts
Thanks everyone. Capitol One Visa it is for credit card usage.
Posted by
Yakima, WA, USA
14 posts
We took our Visa card and had no problem. We took 2 debit cards just in case one didn't work and again had no problems in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.
Notify all banks and card companies so they know you will be using them out of the US.