Recently I read that Europe is going to Chip and PIN technology on debit and credit cards. Our system in the U.S. only uses PIN technology and may be incompatible with many machines in Europe. 1.)Have any travelers experienced problems with their cards? 2.)If this technology becomes standardized throughout Europe how are U.S. travelers going to be able to use their cards?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9101 posts
Don't stress out about it, it's a minor problem. Most merchants that deal with tourists on a regular basis have the hardware to read our magnetic strip cards. Merchants that deal with mostly local may or may not, but usually do. All ATMs accept magnetic strip cards. The real problem is with automatic ticket machines at places like train stations, in this case the ticket window will usually take our cards.
I terms of future standardization, if a merchant wants our money (plastic) they will have the technology to accept our cards. For example Holland has had the chip/pin system for several years now, when they first made the switch it was very problematic using our cards at any merchant besides hotels. Nowadays I'd estimate that 90% of merchants have magnetic strip hardware.....so the situation has actually improved.
Posted by
OP
La Crescenta, California, USA
361 posts
Thank you Pam and Mike for the swift reply, no need then for me to take bags of Euros on the plane.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Hey Jerry, do a search on the helpline. This has been discussed a lot. I've run to occasional problems with this at non-tourist stores, but for the most part its not been a problem. They usually do have the ability to swipe a card. They sometimes just don't like to do it. I think where it can be a problem is buying gas at self-serve after hours. For those situations you are out of luck and had better purchase your gas during the day.
Pam
Posted by
Portlandia
3313 posts
As Michael and Pamela stated, it's not a huge problem where you'll be purchasing from people directly.
But do be aware it can be a problem at automated gas stations and toll booths where there isn't a human standing ready to swipe your card. If you rent a car, carry some extra Euros just in case - especially on Sundays and Mondays.
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
Also a problem if you want to use the self-serve automated ticket machines in France.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32219 posts
Jerry,
As the others have mentioned, magnetic stripe cards are accepted at ticket booths that are "staffed". However, automated ticket machines (ie: at CDG / Paris) will only accept "chip & PIN" credit cards and Euros (I believe there are change machines on the walls).
In the case of CDG, while you could buy a ticket at the ticket office with a credit card, the reality is that often there's a huge queue. When I was at Milano Centrale last June, the ticket machines there were still accepting magnetic stripe cards, however I suspect they'll be changing to "chip & PIN" at some point.
The "chip & PIN technology" still has a few "bugs" in it, as my "chip & PIN" card wouldn't work in the first machine I tried, but worked fine in the second machine.
Happy travels!