EMV Chip in Credit Cards

I had no problems in Spain last year. Every place I used it still had the old swipe mechanism for cards without the chip.

I was advised that might have been the problem I had at the unattended gas station--the machine did not recognize any of my cards--but I can't be sure. It didn't accept my cash either.

Regardless, until I know otherwise I won't rely on my CC card to fill up my tank before returning my rental.

Most all merchants that deal with tourists on a continual basis will accept non-chipped cards. ATMS will always accept them. You run into problems in places like gas stations, vending machines, and some supermarkets. On the whole it's not a big deal.

(this post contains no "negativity")

You can still use non-chipped cards at gas stations if you take them inside the station instead of trying to use them in the pump itself.

(no negativity here, either)