My uncle and aunt just returned from 3 weeks in the Netherlands. . .and my husband and I leave in 2 weeks. He commented that Europe has gone to using "chip and pin" credit cards. . .and that we might have troubles at times using our US credit cards. Can anyone give me any insights into this potential problem. We will have access to cash via atms, but we'd like to charge our hotels, gas, car rental, and any large souviner purchases on a credit card. Will we have troubles?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
All ATMs will accept our magnetic strip cards. Most all merchants that deal with tourists on a regular basis will also accept our magnetic strip credit cards for purchases. You will run into problems with automatic ticket machines, and some automatic gas pumps, they tend to only accept chip&pin cards. In the Netherlands specifically, Dutch Rail only accepts chip & pin cards, at both the machines and ticket counters. Some chain stores will accept magnetic strip credit cards, but will require a pin to finalize the transaction instead of a signature. Be sure to notify your bank of your travel plans so your card doesn't get blocked.
Posted by
Denver
53 posts
Make sure you're not looking for gas on a Sunday or a holiday. That's where we ran into trouble in Belgium recently; couldn't use the card in the machines, and the stations were closed so couldn't use cash. A few times in both Belgium and the Netherlands we had to explain that the card wasn't a chip card, but we were still able to use it. We did not have any problems at all in hotels.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32388 posts
Sheri, "He commented that Europe has gone to using "chip and pin" credit cards." "Chip & PIN" cards (also called "EMV") are not only used in Europe, but many other places in the world including Canada. The U.S. is one of few countries that seems to be "slow off the mark" in adopting this technology. Your magnetic stripe credit card should work fine at attended locations, such as Hotels, restaurants, etc. You may find that merchants request you to enter a PIN, so be sure you know the numbers for your cards. You shouldn't have any problems at ATM's, but be sure your travel funds are in a chequing account. Locations where you may have trouble are automated Fuel pumps, ticket Kiosks, etc. For example, the automated rail ticket Kiosks at Paris / CDG will ONLY accept "Chip & PIN" cards. If you'll be buying rail tickets at Amsterdam Central, the ticket windows there ONLY accept "Chip & PIN" cards. The Netherlands is perhaps a bit farther ahead of other countries with the implementation of "Chip & PIN" technology. I don't recall having any card problems in Belgium. Happy travels!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I'm not 100% certain, but I'm pretty sure that the Netherlands doesn't have pay-at-the-pump stations, so this particular issue should not be a problem.
Posted by
Portland, Maine
2916 posts
Just got back from a month in France, and had got a chip and pin card specifically for the trip. A high percentage of gas stations in France are now unattended, and chip and pin is required. Likewise automated train and metro kiosks. But from another post it seems that gas stations are less of a problem in Holland.