Use of VISA card in Italy

This is a common question around here. The article was probably talking about European cards that have chips in them. Chip or no chip you won't have many major problems using either MC or Visa in your travels. Most any merchant that deal with tourists on a regular basis has the hardware to read our old-fashioned magnetic strip cards. Just be sure to notify your bank of your travel plans before starting your travels.

You will find that the "newer" ticket machine will not take credit cards without the chip. Last year in Termini there was bank of these machines on the south end that were be used by a few locals. The majority of the other ticket machines, probably a hundred or more, worked just fine with AM credit cards.

If you have a Visa card issued in the last 3 years (or so) it probably has a chip in it. If you received correspondence with your card of latest issue giving you a PIN # your card has a chip. Frankly I've never had to use it except in gas stations.

Marie, No Credit/Debit card issued in the US has the chip. You might be referring to the the contactless "paypass" chip which a lot US cards have on built into them these days. If so, Chip & Pin and PayPass are two different "animals", and work independently from one another. Credit cards have always had PIN numbers attached to them, even before chip & pin came into existence.

You may come across smaller restaurants in less touristy places that won't take credit cards at all. Other than that and gas pumps I've had no probs. If the place accepts cards they'll take visa.

Marilyn, you shouldn't have any problems using your older magnetic stripe credit card at staffed ticket offices in Italy. However, you may have problems using your card at automated ticket machines, as these are slowly being replaced by "chip & PIN" machines. I did find some machines at Termini a few months ago that would still accept magnetic strip cards, but I'm not sure if that's still the case. Even though I was using a "chip & PIN" credit card, the machines only read the magnetic stripe and no PIN was asked for. For train travel purchases, you shouldn't have any problems. Happy travels!

Thanks, all of you, for your responses!

Make certain that you contact your credit card company/bank's SECURITY DEPT. and let them know you will be using your credit cards/ATM card overseas. Don't count on an automated system or regular customer service to get this right. Sometimes this information does not trickle down to the right people. Most places you will not have a problem using a credit card. However, I have found that attempting to buy gas with my Credit Card sets off a red flag and the transaction is usually blocked. Also, if you are making a large purchase such as at a high-end jewelry store, it also might set off a red flag and you might be blocked. In this case, it will take a call to the credit card company to get the charge unblocked. Use your ATM card to get cash and get your bank to raise the daily maximum withdrawal amount. Cash is KING in Italy and merchants prefer it to credit cards. I have never had a problem using my cards for train travel.

Chase cards now have chips in them called BLINK technology. I was talking to one of the reps and they are supposed to work in the European machines. My son is going to germany in 2 weeks and just got one of the cards so we'll see. Also he made sure to request his 4 digit pin code, since that also seems to be an issue.

Cliff, The Blink/PayPass technology is different from the the Chip & Pin technology that seems to make lots of travelers anxious. Only two Euro countries currently use Blink/PassPass technology: UK and Switzerland. The purpose of Blink is to speed up lines at busy retailers and fast food establishments like McDonalds, Pret a Manger, and Boots. After the cashier tells you your total you simply swipe your card in front of the sensor located next to the cash register, you don't enter a PIN. I've never seen any automated machines use Blink/Paypass. The Blink cards have the chip hidden inside the plastic and is read via radio waves. The chip in Chip & Pin cards are exposed and must make physical contact with the hardware. US Blink/PayPass cards will work in the UK and Switzerland but it doesn't solve the Chip & Pin issue.

I've never been given a pin for a credit card.. Only debit cards. Will my credit card work?

Jodee, your CC will work; European merchants may ask you for a PIN...You just need to call your bank and ask them to send you a PIN for that CC (then you can usually change THAT number to a PIN you'll remember).