Debit/credit cards with security chip

We were in Ireland last June, returning this June and do not have a credit card with a chip. We'd expected to have some difficulty using the cards at gas stations, etc. we'd read about. We used our debit card at ATM's with no issue and only had issue using the credit card at the pump at one gas station, took it inside and it was fine. We primarily used a credit card for all purchases and only had to visit the ATM 3-4 times to get us by with cash for the trip. Just make sure you call your credit/debit card companies ahead of time so you don't run into issues with them shutting them off for suspicious activity.

Hopefully you were loose with your terminology. Unless an emergency, never use a credit card at an ATM for a cash withdrawl. You'll be charged a hefty cash advance rate.

If asking about a debit or ATM card, there are no worries. All machines still take a regular card.

The issue with chip credit cards is mostly with automatic transactions, like a kiosks and pay-at-the-pump gas stations. Regular credit cards still work almost everywhere there is a person to swipe the card.

Good advice has already been given above. To address the subject of prepaid cards, most of those carry pretty high fees for setup and use, and sometimes a fee to remove your leftover funds after your trip, if you want to do that. They also carry per-use fees at ATMs. so they are not the best way to go when traveling abroad.

Thanks folks.. looks like I'm good to go! Douglas, I did mean debit / ATM card. Thx!!