Debit Card and TD Visa non-chip technology

As a general rule, merchants that deal with lots of tourists will have the hardware to read magnetic strip cards. Merchants that deal mostly with locals, may or may not. You'll have no problems using ATM machines.

I had one purchase in Germany where the merchant needed to call MasterCard to get approval, but of course they were willing to do that. Sure it is a bit of an inconvenience, but it only took me about an extra three-four minutes.

Marlene,

I doubt that you'll have any problems using magnetic strip credit cards in Europe for purchases. However, some automated ticket machines require "chip" cards (the ticket machines at Paris / CDG are one example). I requested a "chip" Visa card from TD and told them I'd be travelling to Europe, and they kindly provided one. That was a good move as the queue at the ticket office was enormous!!!

However, when I was at Milano Centrale a few weeks ago the ticket machines there were still accepting magnetic strip credit cards. One thing to note at Milano, is that the ticket machines on the main floor seem to be configured only for credit cards or European debit cards, while those downstairs next to the ticket office also accept Euro cash. The machines downstairs are often less busy, so I found it easier to get tickets there.

I'm not sure if you'll be able to make purchases with your debit card. I normally use my debit card strictly for ATM withdrawals, as I've been told that it won't work for purchases (I don't think electronic links have been established for these yet?). Note that for ATM withdrawals, funds must be in a chequing account with a four-number PIN.

I recently made ATM withdrawals with a magnetic strip debit card in France, Italy and Switzerland and no major problems.

Happy travels!

We are just finishing a month in Europe (England, Germany, France), and our American cc's almost always worked when there was a live person to deal with the transaction. They also worked last year in Spain and Italy. They usually don't work where there is just a machine; e.g., an unattended gasoline station or toll booth.

VISA requires that merchants accept non chip cards.

http://usa.visa.com/personal/using_visa/european_travel_tips.html

Even non-tourist places will have the ability accept the card (either by swiping or manually entering the numbers.) Your problem isn't that they can't accept the card but under trained staff don't know how to process it.

There are merchants in Europe that do refuse to accept magnetic strip cards even though they have the physical ability to scan the cards. I've found Holland to be the worst offender. With the exception of the Schipol Airport station, Dutch Rail stations will not accept magnetic strip cards. The machines on the counters have the ability to read them, but scotch tape has been placed over the slot with a note "do not swipe".
The Albert Hiejn Supermarket behind the Royal Palace in Amsterdam has a similar policy with a sign in English explaining that they only accept chip cards. If Dutch Rail and Ahold can get away with it, Visa's policy doesn't mean much.

If enough people report them to VISA it might change. Anyway, luckily the OP isn't going to Holland.

Ken - I noticed your comment that ATMS will only withdraw out of checking accounts? I have an ATM that's with a credit union that's a savings account. Now I'm concerned. Can you expand on that or point me to more info?

I'm really torn with how take my money with me for 4 of us for 2 weeks in August.

ATMs in Europe only withdraw funds from checking accounts. The machines don't give you the option of checking or savings like they do here.

Maureen,

As Michael mentioned, ATM's in Europe normally only access chequing accounts. I believe Rick mentions that in Europe Through The Back Door and that's certainly been my experience in various European countries. I use both Credit Union and Bank products, and there's no difference with either type.

Cheers!

Thanks to both of you for the info on withdrawals need to come from checking accounts. I must have missed that in ETTBD. But it's been a bit since I read it. I'll go re-read that section. And then head off to my credit union to open a checking!

You can get a chip card Visa from TD, you just have to phone and ask and they will send it to your local branch for you to pick up. I did that a few months ago for my Visa as well as debit card to ensure that both cards have the chip technology for my upcoming trip.