use of credit cards in Scandinavia

Only if it is a Chip and PIN card or if you want to take a cash advance on your credit. If you have a Chip and Signature card, you just need to sign.

If you want to use your CHIP card at automated kiosks to buy things like transit tickets, then yes you need your PIN.

Your credit card issuer will most likely tell you that your PIN for the credit card you have is only for cash advances. When using the card in the US, that would be true. But get the PIN anyway so if a machine in Europe asks for it you have it. You will NOT be charged as a cash advance for purchases where your PIN is used. Cash advances are only when you use the credit card to get cash from an ATM. Don't do that except in extreme cases of emergency.

When you are paying by signature, be sure and tell the cashier in advance.

I was there in 2010, so only had a magnetic strip/signature card. I'd say I used my credit card dozens of times, maybe 50, in restaurants, hotels, shops, train station (not automated machines) and tourist information kiosks.

I only had an issue using my card one time, in a small shop in a small town. They didn't know how to take a signature card (unlike shops in cities), so I walked a block to a cash machine and came back with cash.

Now that you have a chip and signature card, it's really no different than the strip and signature card. Expect people to know how to process the transaction in almost all circumstances.

There's some disagreement on how a pin works on our cards. I can only say I read the cardholder agreement on my Capital One Venture Card chip/signature card and it says using the pin will be processed as a cash advance. I called customer service to verify that and they told me the same. I also have a chip/signature with USAA, when I called them, they reminded me that my cash advances are treated the same as purchases (but the entire credit limit isn't available for cash advances).

Right now, I'd recommend to set up a pin but avoid processing transactions with your pin unless it's an emergency or you are certain the bank will process the transaction as a chip/pin purchase.

Some US cards have a PIN issued and used as a secondary verification for purchases when signatures are not possible (like an automated kiosk). Most issue PINs only for cash advance purposes (hence the notice from Brad's bank). If you were not given a PIN with the card, then any PIN you ask for will be the latter type.

However, often the cash advance PIN will work in a kiosk for a purchase (though not always). It just depends on the machine and processing network. If used that way, it SHOULD not be considered a cash advance as the PIN is really being used by that machine to process the transaction. Some people have even reported that random numbers will work to approve the purchase.

Most other times with a manned transaction, your chip card will work just fine and print out a receipt to sign. Some machines automatically detect the signature verification and spit out the receipt, and some require the person to push a button for a receipt to be printed. I usually say "no PIN" when I hand my card over or stick it in the machine. A few places only process cards with a PIN or the person doesn't know how to have it print a receipt. So be prepared with some cash or ask for a manager to help.

I am currently in Europe with an Andrews Credit Union chip and PIN card. In Denmark and Norway, about half the time I still had to sign and was never asked for PIN. The card never worked in Danish Railway ticket machines (but my regular stripe only ATM card worked). Same ratio in Germany, but cash preferred most places.

I would get a PIN for backup, but as others mentioned you should check to see if using it makes it a cash advance. I would also double check about using it in Russia - I heard from other travelers that Russia is a black out country for some card issuers.