I just got back from a trip to France. I have never needed a Chip & Pin card in Europe travels before, but got a little concerned regarding unmanned gas stations, parking lots & toll booths, specifically in France. I purchased a Travelex card with the minimum of 150 Euros. The exchange rate was bad (this is how they make money) but I wanted some backup to my other cards. The card worked at automated ticket booths (like the Paris Metro, Pont du Gard, etc.). It also worked at gas stations but we did not end up at any unmanned stations so paid by going in, giving the card to the attendant, and entering our pin. The funny thing is that NONE of my cards worked at toll booths! Whether we were in a manned lane or not, they were all refused. We used cash. For other card purchases - hotels, an art gallery - we used our Schwab card that has no foreign transaction fees and a good exchange rate. The merchants all seemed to know how to swipe it. Both my Schwab card and my BofA card worked at the ATM's no problem and we basically kept getting cash to pay for meals and tickets. Bottom line for us - it made me feel better to have a chip & pin to begin with but we really did not end up HAVING to use it. We kept an eye on the gas tank and the areas we were driving (mainly Provence) were FULL of attended stations. I may have gotten my ticket faster at the Metro but that wasn't a big deal either. I've brought the card back with 50E on it and will save it for the next trip. Hope this is helpful to others wondering if they need such a card.
Posted by
Tuscaloosa, AL
1152 posts
Although the Schwab credit card is no longer a Schwab branded card, I don't think Bank of America has changed the terms so still no foreign transaction fees. We'll see if that continues to hold. Capital One still offers such a card, too.
Posted by
Tipton, Iowa
332 posts
"I've brought the card back with 50E on it and will save it for the next trip." Is there a monthly fee after a certain period of non-use? Thanks for the report.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
800 posts
Just checked and yes, the fee is listed as 2.30E for monthly inactivity fee after 12 months. I do want to stress that I am not endorsing this card as anything but an emergency use card for things that MIGHT require a chip & pin card. I don't even bother getting cash ahead of a trip because I expect that one of my two ATM/debit cards will work upon arrival at any international airport. But I was worried enough about reports with driving in France that I did get this and chalked up the extra expense to peace of mind. One other clarification on the Schwab card I mentioned. I don't have a Schwab credit card - it is a Visa branded debit card attached to the Schwab Investor Checking account. It has no international transaction fees and refunds any ATM fees that you might incur (which have only happened for me with U.S. banks).