magnetic chips in credit cards

Chris, As Nigel mentioned, the "Chip & PIN" credit cards are not magnetic and not RF devices. The Chip embedded in the card is "read" when it's innserted into a POS terminal. The Chip is both a "read & write" device, as the PIN can be re-programmed at ATM machines. All of my "Chip & PIN" cards also have a magnetic stripe on the back, for use at merchants that are still operating in the "dark ages" or at older ATM machines. To clarify the "RF" aspect, many credit cards issued here also have an embedded RFID chip, which is used for "proximity transactions". One system is called " Pay and Pass, and it should be noted that this is separate from the Chip functions. The statement from your colleague that it's "illegal to use my US issued credit card in Europe" and would be taken from you, is blatantly ridiculous and almost laughable. How much travelling in Europe has that co-worker done? In my experience, you should have no problems using your US credit card at Hotels, restaurants and other tourist faciities in Europe. However, if it's an AMEX card, these tend to be accepted at fewer places than Visa and MasterCard. Where you will have "issues" is at automated Kiosks, fuel pumps, etc. For example, the ticket Kiosks at Paris / CDG will ONLY accept "Chip & PIN" cards (and Euro coins). If buying rail tickets at the staffed ticket windows at Amsterdam Central, they ONLY accept "C & P" cards! When I was there in September, each window had a LARGE sign stating that they DO NOT accept magnetic stripe credit cards. I'd suggest travelling with at least two ATM cards (in case one has problems) and at least one credit card. Happy travels!

I try to use any credit cards as little as possible. In my last 4 trips to Europe (8 weeks, 2004-2009), I have used credit cards only 4 times, all at Bahn automats. (All four times they were the strip cards and they worked and were not taken from me.) The old Bahn touch screen automats didn't accept cash, but they are phasing (have phased) them out. My strip ATM/Debit card works fine in bank ATMs and they are safer. Then I use cash for everything.

First, there is no such thing as a magnetic chip in credit cards. It is actually a RF chip but that is a minor point. Your co-worker are so far off base, I would question if they had actually been in Europe. Second, it would be nearly impossible for you to be issued a new credit card since only a couple of US card issuers are experimenting with issuing RF chip cards. Believe me when we all say that your credit will be widely accepted. The only exception will be some ticket machines, toll booths, and perhaps unmanned gas stations. Relax, it is OK but be sure you have notified your card issuers of your travel plans.

I suggest that you should avoid the topic of travel to Europe with your co-workers. They are travel morons who will cause you unneeded stress. There are a few (and I stress, FEW) situations in which having a non-chip card is an inconvenience (like trying to buy gas at an un-manned gas station). But it doesn't get in the way 90+% of the time. We don't have chips in our cards and we use them all the time while in Europe - no problem. Just be sure to tell your CC company you are traveling so they won't be alerted by foreign transactions. Also, be sure to have more than one card on more than one account in case there is a snafu. On more than one occasion we have had our bank mistakenly put a hold on our card for foreign transactions even though we called them first to avoid that exact problem. A second phone call was all it took to fix the situation - but it blocked the card for a few hours, so be sure to have a back-up and carry at least a little cash at all times. Bottom line is this; Europe has a huge tourist business and Americans are a big part of it. 99% of Americans don't have chip cards, so if they want our money they have to accept our cards. Money talks...your co-workers, however, shouldn't.

The merchants who don't accept US credit cards are those you wouldn't be doing business with anyway. For example, the Ikea near where I live only takes EC cards, but I'm going to assume that purchasing a Poång while in France is not one of your travel goals.

The RF chip cards are those that use Near Field Technology to just tap on a receiver for money to be taken. That is not the question. Chip and Pin cards have a chip inside the card which connects with a reader via a 6 element metal foil connector exposed on the face of the card left of the centre point of the card, midway to the edge. They then require the user input a 4 digit PIN, like at an ATM. They have a magnetic strip on the back for times when the card must be swiped, like when it travels to the US. No there is nothing illegal about having a magnetic strip only card, like those issued in North America. They just won't work in many places in Europe, such as self service places like filling stations, self service cash registers in supermarkets, and other stores. Or in unmanned credit card toll booths. Or more and more places locals go, and some travelers.

Thanks to all for your reassuring words. I'm breathing a bit easier now. Chris

I was in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in September of this year and never had a problem using ATMs with my US Debit card tied into a checking account. I never use a credit card in Europe, preferring to extract local currency from ATMs and paying in cash. I do take two debit cards and two credit cards, all from different financial institutions (mine and my wife's) as backup and I only have needed a backup debit card once in ten years and that was maybe 6 years ago. Be sure to notify your financial institutions of when and where you will be traveling. I, too, question the accuracy of the information you received from you co-workers as I never heard of that before, either in Europe or on this web site. Happy travels.

Chris: I just returned from 3 weeks in Germany and Denmark. I had no trouble with using my US credit cards, none of which have a chip. They work well in the ATM's. Merchants will recognize your card and ask "chip or no chip" so they will manually the account information or swipe it through the magnetic reader. I used my Comerica ATM card and my Capital One card without difficulty. I suggest your friends are misinformed as to the acceptance of cards without a chip. Relax and have a good trip.