My wife and I will be driving through parts of Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Czech Republic and Croatia. leaving at the end of September, 2017. For earlier trips through other European countries we had difficulty using American issued credit cards on toll roads and some gas stations. I have read that magnetic strip card might not work, but what about more up to date chip cards with and without using a PIN number? I plan on carrying cash but sometimes using a credit card is more convenient. I am already aware of the requirement for vignettes in each country. Thanks for any insights.
Posted by
Minneapolis
1259 posts
Hi Robert. In general, your card can be easily used wherever there is a person. e.g. at a gas station, go inside to pay; it will work fine. Anywhere there is a machine only, no person, it may not work. We were in six countries this summer and never had a problem using our card, which has a chip but no pin.. Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
OP
North Carolina, USA
4 posts
Thanks Bob. Last time we had difficulty with swipe cards on the toll roads in France where there was not a person. Also did not realize some places required a PIN number which I now have for the cards I carry. Cheers.
Robert
Posted by
Portland
3635 posts
An additional problem you may run into is that it can be hard to find a manned station, especially on Sundays; and we've run into unmanned stations where cash was not an option. It's prudent to keep your tank topped up.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina, USA
4 posts
Thanks, Rosalyn. I will keep your advice in mind as I travel.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7915 posts
You might want to ask your CC about the PIN. Most chip cards in the US are still Chip and Signature, better than just a Mag strip card, but will still not work at unmanned kiosks. Many times the PIN you are able to get is intended for cash advance at an ATM, not for Point of Sale (POS) transactions.
Sometimes, for low dollar transactions, your card will allow a transaction to go through with no PIN or Signature, or if you are asked for a Pin, punching in your issued PIN or any 4 digit number may work.
Otherwise, have cash for tolls and use a gas station with a person able to do the transaction.
Posted by
OP
North Carolina, USA
4 posts
Paul,
Thanks for the advice.
Robert