Gas stations and toll roads in Italy

I don't know about the "chip" card, but I don't know that an Amex would work. Visa should but many places do not accept Amex.

European credit cards are embedded with a computer chip which stores a PIN - hence they're called "chip-and-pin" cards. In Europe, self-serve gas pumps, most toll booths, and most unmanned ticket kiosks in train stations will only accept a "chip-and-PIN" card. The vast majority of American cards are "magnetic stripe." There is no embedded chip. They'll be accepted in Europe, but typically won't work at unmanned/automated credit card terminals. On the toll roads, the best thing is to use cash. At gas stations, if there's an attendant present they'll take your American card. If the station is unmanned, drive on. Gas stations on the tollways are always manned - but otherwise unmanned stations are pretty common, especially on Sundays and after about 10 PM. Your non-chip Visa or Mastercard-branded ATM/debit card WILL work at ATM's in Europe.

At the gas stations we have experienced in Europe, the there is a credit card unit inside with the attendent that will take U.S. credit cards. The units at the pump are generally chip and pin.

At the many unmanned gas stations that we encountered last summer in Italy there was no "inside" so take cash. Same with toll machines. Check your route on viamichelin ahead of time so you'll know about how much tolls will cost for your route and bring cash. We drove a combination of back roads and autostradas.

Amex won't work here. no one accepts them. I've never had any problem what so ever using my mag strip card at a toll booth. At the unattended pumps yes, the pump won't recognize the card. Use cash or find a station with an attendent.
As someone said, off the autostrada, on Sundays and late at night you're unlikely to find an attended station but also afternoons from around 1-3 or so it may be hard to find also.

Ken, we have Italian, Danish, and American debit and credit cards... and used them interchangeably when traveling. We DO NOT use our AMEX cards in Europe because of the high % fees, foreign exchange fees, etc. If we use a USA card, it's our CapitolOne with no additional charges. Both the Italian and Danish cards have the "chip" which I REALLY like. In Italy, everyone pays with cash; In Denmark NO ONE pays with cash. They use their "chip" card - even to just buy a coke at the 7-11! We have been able to use ANY card on the autostrade; as suggested, look for the credit card "lines" signage as you approach the toll booths. Gas stations have been a mixed bag for us. The larger, newer stations readily accept almost any card. We seem to have more issues when we get off the beaten path. On Sundays and holidays, when many of the stations are open but unmanned, we definitely are aware of our gas gauge. The machines do take Euro notes so we always have some cash with us. Most smaller (manned) stations prefer cash anyway. In Rome, there are many "custodians" who will pump your gas for you. Some don't even work for the gas company but are there working for tips... It's a little different buying gas in Italy. As you drive away and do the conversion... multiplying the listed price by the 3.785 "liter to gallon" conversion and then again multiplying by the current exchange rate, Euro to dollar, you'll really begin to appreciate driving in the USA. Prices (here) a have been around the 1.50 - 1.60/liter range and at today's prime rate of conversion ($1.318) that equates to 1.55 x 3.785 x $1.318 = $7.69 a gallon. A few years ago, when gas was higher priced and the dollar was weaker, gas prices equated to more than $9.00 a gallon.

Thanks so much to one and all...you have been a great help. Regards,
Ken

Amex is not accepted in all places, but it is still accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels - not all, but most. Visa or Mastercard is preferred. I'd use cash if possible for tolls and gas stations.