Should I get a credit card? Just in case?

You won't need a chip and pin card. The places that can't take an American style card are few and far between, you are unlikely to run into one. I think a credit card is always good to have. It gives you consumer protections against fraud or theft. It isn't tied directly to your checking account so fraudulent charges won't immediately drain your cash. Plus you never know when an emergency expense may arise, so it gives you an emergency reserve. Right now I'd recommend Capital One's card that offers no foreign transaction fee (I think it's called Venture card). All the banks offer multiple credit card products so make sure you pick the right card.

I've used plastic only four times in my last 4 trips to Germany, each time at a DB automat. On time it didn't take cash, and I had to charge €2,10. The time before I wanted to buy a Rheinland-Pfalz-Ticket in FRA. The RMV machine didn't sell it and the old style Bahn automat took strip cards but not cash. According to the Bahn website, their new automats take cash and strip cards. So, about once per trip I find myself needing a card of some sort, but the rest of the time I rely on cash. Hope you also have an ATM card to get cash.

If you are getting it "just in case" I would hightly recommend a few things. 1. Keep it hidden in a separate location than your ATM/debit card or cash. 2. set it up so cash withdrawals are possible from atms and know the pin. Not that you ever want to take money out of an ATM with a credit card (lots of fees, high interest rate) but nice to have the ability if your other stuff gets stolen or lost.

Our experience is similar to Lee's. It is smart to have the credit card as ultimate back up but we used cash about 99% of the time. Will use a ccard the last day or so when managing cash flow so that we bring home a few Euro for the next trip. However, it could be hard to get a credit card within the next week.

Sarah, I would bring a credit card as reserve , but a "chip and pin" card specifically for Germany is totally unnecessary. On my most recent trips there this summer and last, I had no problems at all having my American magnetic stripe Visa accepted. The ticket machine at the station selling DB tickets accept US magnetic stripe credit cards, as has been pointed out,..no problems, unlike in Paris. I rather doubt a Travelex card would work in Paris anyway...

A back-up ATM card is better insurance for Germany. Many merchants don't accept credit cards.

Having a credit card and using it responsibly also helps build up your credit score. Having a good score is almost essential in today's world. A no transaction fee card from Capital One might be nice, but if you can't get that try a credit union.

Ok, thanks everyone. I'll look into capital one.

I guess it depends where in Germany because in Berlin, they accepted my credit cards everyplace.

I should have added, like Lee, I deal with mostly small businesses who prefer cash. My biggest need is an ATM card with a Visa or Mastercard logo so I have access to cash. It's a good idea to be able to use the credit card for cash, but only as a backup in an emergency - the cost of using a credit card for cash is way too much. I never use my debit card to directly pay for anything because of the potential that fraudulent charges can drain my account - fraudulent charges on a credit card can be fixed within 60 days without ruining your trip. I use my credit card for the airline ticket, rental car (if I get one), hotel (if I book ahead), and the rare instance where cash is not an option.