Using US based credit cards in Italy - advice needed

I don’t have Citibank, but Capital One has worked well for us. No international transactions fees, and we’ve never had to verify each transaction as you’re describing. I think Visa and Mastercard would be the most widely accepted, compared to American Express.

I have a Chase VISA and don't have to go thru all that rigamarole to use it. HOWEVER for my last trip to Italy (in 2022) I almost exclusively used ApplePay which was even easier than using a contactless CC.

Do you have the availability of loading the Citibank card into a wallet on your phone?

I also have an AMEX card and generally only use it (on my ApplePay) for hotels or transportation. I could use the VISA at even small places like gelato shops, haha!

I don't know why the Citibank would be operating like that. Is some special program or protection for that card? Is it a regular credit card? The only time I've had any issues is sometimes ordering things - like tickets - from automated sites in Europe while still in the states. There is a "Verified by VISA" system that I got one card registered in and that's the one I always use for tickets ahead of time. Are you sure they weren't talking about something like this rather than just being in Italy and using your card?

For the last couple of years banks don't even want you to tell them when you are going overseas anymore - they trust their anti-fraud computers to understand when you are in a foreign country automatically. I have 3 cards from different companies without foreign transaction fees and I have never had a problem simply using them anywhere in Italy.

Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted and I would expect to potentially encounter issues with any other card - Discover, AMEX etc.

Tap is by far the easiest way to pay for things because we don't have chip and PIN but chip and signature. Many people report using only their phone to charge things but I would never count 100% on that.

I think there has been some miscommunication or something else is going on with that card because I've never heard of this kind of restriction with any card. If this really is the case that would be reason enough for me to look for a new vendor.

Good luck,
=Tod

Exactly what kind of Citibank card do you have?
Have never heard of such nonsense

The best credit card to use (from our view point) is any card that is branded VISA or MASTERCARD. On our last trip saw little opportunity to use an Am Express card. I would leave it at home. And the same for the Discover card. I have a Citibank, visa card and use it just like any other credit card. The only time I have encountered the email code is when I am logging into the account. But what you have related doesn't make any sense. There has to be a misunderstanding somewhere.

PS I just remembered that there are some options that you can apply to your card. For example -- notification when a charge is made but the card was not presented. You can be notified by text or email when a charge is made over a limit you can set. Perhaps there is an option that requires the additional code or a set limit. Go into your account and see what security options have been selected or set.

I called Citibank about using my card in Italy. It seems complicated. They have to send an email or text you every time you use the card and you have to remember a code they gave you in advance.

Are you sure it is for every transaction? I have had to do the secondary verification using my Citibank card only for some online purchases and not for every single purchase. I’ve never had an issue with tap and pay or using the card at a shop. You might call them again and see if a different rep tells you something different.

With an online purchase, you sometimes get a pop-up where you need to enter a code that they text to you.

I have had no problems using my Chase credit card for purchases in multiple European countries, including Italy, although one needs a PIN number to get cash from an ATM (usually once per trip for tips, etc).

I use a CITIBANK VISA card from Costco. I use it like I do in the US. No pin and nothing like you describe. Make sure the card has adequate credit for hotel deposits and rental car holds. It has no foreign exchange fees.

I take my Amex as a backup; platinum allows entry into VIP airport lounges.

I believe the OP has been misinformed or misunderstood something. Citi-issued credit cards work just fine in Italy, like pretty much any other credit card.

Just follow the basics: make sure your card doesn’t have a fee for foreign transactions (some do, some don’t). Use (or get) one that doesn’t. It’s true that Amex isn’t quite as widely accepted overseas as Visa/MC (which are accepted everywhere) but even Amex is accepted in many places. Leave a Discover card at home.

Watch out for the Dynamic Currency Conversion scam, it’s everywhere. You just ALWAYS pay in the local currency, NOT in your home currency.

Thanks for all the input.
I called Citi and spoke to a supervisor (there is often a language problem as many customer service people are not proficient enough in English and I have difficulty understanding them) who confirmed what I wrote, I am going to call again tomorrow to verify this. I agree it makes no sense.

I too have a Costco Citi card. As long as you put in a travel notification for the dates of your travel, that’s all you should need. The travel notification can be done online when logged into your account.

Viajero, could the problem be that you are in Buenos Aires with a US credit card? Just a guess.

What a hassle if you have to have a text or email every time you want to use your card no matter where you live. You’d have to have data on when you’re out and about.

I’m in the US and my BAC VISA does use not secondary security when I travel or when I’m home and I have the option not to turn it on. Just tap and go or use the pin. Nor do I need to set up travel alerts. My Fidelity debit and credit cards need travel alerts set up and I have had no problems.

Hoorsewoofie, No, that isn't the issue.

We spent 6 months in Italy using mostly the Capital One Venture X card. No problems at all. With the signup bonus and points earned, I think we were in positive in terms of "free" travel. I would use it again for our next trip.

I primarily use a Citibank card. I have used the card all over Europe including Italy. I have never had a problem when using the physical card. The only time I have had issues is when I am trying to purchase something online from outside the US. That's when they want to send a text and I have to enter the code the code it sends. But not always.