Non Chip-and-Pin Credit Card Use In France

Don't stress out about it. Any merchants that deals with tourists has the hardware to read our magnetic strip cards.

Remember that any merchant that displays a Visa/Mastercard/Amex sign or decal is obligated to take those cards. Those are the credit card companies' rules. Also, no Parisian merchant in his right mind is going to turn away the business of millions of American tourists with our magnetic stripe cards. I've never had a credit card refused in Paris.

We are ALWAYS pleased to take money from US tourists here at the hotel, whether or not their cards are "chipped". :-) It just means getting a signature and "swiping" the card instead of ing it into the slot. Coincidentally, Spanish cards often do not have "chips" either - we are pleased to take THEIR money as well! :-) Roger

For Roger.... Our concern is using our bank Visa debit card to get money from an ATM. Do you know if the ATM's in Paris or the south of France accept non chipped cards. Thanking you in advance. Ann and Frank

All ATMs accept magnetic strip cards. The chip & pin issue only effects point-of-sale transactions at automated machines.

Will, You're asking about recent experience in using an American magnetic stripe credit card in France, where upon I had to put my signature to a receipt: the last two summers I did just that in Paris at Gard de l'Est, restaurants, and at my hotel at Gard du Nord...no problems, my Mastercard always went through. But it was rejected at a ticket machine in Paris (but not in Germany at a Fahrscheinautomat), in which case in Paris I stood in line. This was for a r/t TGV ticket from Gare du Nord to Arras, which I paid with an US credit card and signed for at a ticket counter. That's correct...the ATMs in Paris also accepted my credit card...no problem there either.

The only places we have problems with our old-fashioned magnetic strip cards is automatic ticket machines for the train or metro and automatic toll booths on the freeways.

OK, that's what I needed to find out. A big thanks to all who responded. It's great to have a forum where the users are so helpful and responsive. Merci beaucoup et voyages heureux. Will