ATM/debit cards.....HELP !

I am sure the article refers to credit cards. Some automated ticket stations, gas stations, toll booths, etc. will not accept the standard Am credit card. However, most other places well. American debit cards at bank associated ATMs will work just fine. As I type, son and girl friend are in Europe beating the hell out of my credit union debit card with no problems.

We were throughout Western Europe last May/June. We didn't have a chip in any of our cards and they worked perfectly well in all ATMs we tried.

just notify your bank you will be in europe....because my bank stopped payment/could not use card, on any purchase over 50 dollars BECAUSE they were not sure it was me using it.(I could still get the equivalent of 200 to 300 dollars in euros at a bank tho) Just like you should tell them if you will be making a large purchase even here in USA...if I tried to use it for,say, $4000 in furniture I might have a hold put on it. Just talk to your bank manager - or call them before you leave.

Joanna,

The article is very likely referring the ATM/Debit cards which can be used for POS transactions or ATM withdrawals. ATM cards with older magnetic strip technology should still be fine for cash withdrawals.

As the others have mentioned, some automated ticket kiosks and similar units will probably only accept the newer "chip & PIN" cards. That's certainly the case with the automated ticket machines at Paris / CDG, which only accept the newer credit cards and Euro cash. I used a "chip & PIN" credit card there last year to buy RER tickets, and it worked great. Those without "chip & PIN" cards can still purchase tickets with a "regular" credit card at the staffed ticket office.

How were you planning to get from CDG to your Hotel in Paris? You may want to have a look at www.parisbytrain.com for an excellent description of the options.

Happy travels!

Joanna, make sure that you ATM card is connected to a checking account only and your pin is 4 digits. If your ATM card is connected to a savings it will not work.

In my experience, an atm card that is connected to a savings account will work if it is also connected to a checking account. It will take the money from the checking account, though.

You should ask your bank about this and all of your issues.

Adam, in all my travels in Europe the ATM card had to be connected to a checking account. I know that when my daughter and her friend was traveling thru Europe the friends card was connected to her savings and it DID NOT work. They were in the UK first, then over to France and many other counties, she tried to use it in every city, country and it would not work. Her parents deposited money into my daughters accountso she could get some money until they could get a new card to her that was connected to a checking.

I was in Finland in June and the problem was not ATM cards but credit cards. The handheld wireless card readers in restaurants rejected them, and even the Helsinki TI had to do some special approval process after multiple rejections by their handheld wireless devices. I read that only the UN credit union offers credit cards with the European security features. Can we get these?

Every time I've had a problem (and that's not always) with the portable hand-held readers, they always where able to get the card to work at the main register/cashier.

We just got back from France and only had a problem with non chip cards at an un- attended gas pump. That problem was solved by a very helpfull local who used his card in return for cash.

Credit and debit cards are protected by networks that look at your normal purchases and where you normally shop. If you livein NY and travel to LA you may get a call (if they have your cell phone number) asking if you made the purchase. If you do not respond, the card is blocked for use.

Anytime you are traveling, you should call the financial institutions and let them know when you are going and where you will be. This will help avoid the loss of card use.