Has anyone travelling in the Netherlands (in the past 2-3 months)had trouble using their US debit or credit cards (i.e., not chip and pin)? I have heard 2 stories of travelers who could not use ATMs or credit cards there, even when they went into the bank. Supposedly the N recently converted everything and only chip and pin cards can be used, but I admit I haven't seen stories of US tourists stranded there. Thanks for any info!
Posted by
Easthampton, MA, USA
23 posts
Used my ATM card on Dec. 20 without a problem, as did my mom. The ATM cars were from 2 different no-name (small town, independent) banks in different parts of the US.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7886 posts
Ann, the question is very different when asked about ATM cards and about Credit/Debit Cards. ATM cards are read by a different class of machines with many more countries to accomodate (Yes, I know that in the US, ATM cards are usable as debit cards. Bank of America told me that if I didn't upgrade from plain ATM to debit/ATM I wouldn't be able to use it outside the country. Don't know if that was baloney or not.) Have you read the chip and pin threads here? http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/94360/chip-and-pin-credit-cards.html http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm/rurl/topic/39146/chip-and-pin-credit-cards.html