Requesting Latest on U.S.Credit Cards for Road Tolls/Gas in France/Belgium

Belgium doesn't have toll roads. You can't use a US credit card to pay at the pump, but it will work at the cash register, both in France and Belgium. I've never tried to pay French tolls with a credit card, so can't help you with that question.

In response to a previous poster's comment about pumps taking cash, I will reiterate that I have encountered many unmanned pumps that would take only a European card and would not take cash of any kind, paper or coin. Also, depending upon where you are, pumps that might be manned on weekdays may not be staffed beginning Saturday afternoons, and not just on Sundays. You may not run into any trouble at all, again depending on where you are traveling, but I think it is best to be prepared for this.

It is true that US credit cards can be used at a manned gas station at the cash register. However, I have driven in the countryside through small villages and discovered that there are automatic unmanned pumps (that only take European cards; not even cash), but there may be very few manned stations in these areas. If you are traveling in rural areas outside larger towns and cities, particularly on weekends, my advice is to plan ahead and don't let your tank get too low, just in case. I don't use credit cards on toll roads, but once I was with an American friend who got into the wrong lane at the toll booth and had to use her card. We weren't sure it was going to work but it did let us through.

Be sure to carry cash just in case. Unmanned gas pumps will not accept American credit cards, nor will the toll road machines - but they do accept cash, both paper and coin. In France most of the gas stations are unmanned on Sunday so prepare in advance.

... and one tip. If your travels take you near the Luxembourg border, go there to fill up the tank. Fuel prices there are the cheapest in Europe.

john, it's not likely that the older magnetic stripe credit cards will work with automated gas pumps, as most of these appear to require "chip & PIN" cards. I suspect the same will be true at automated toll booths in France, however if the booth is manned you should be able to use your card normally. As the others suggested, try to keep the tank "topped up" and keep some cash on hand. Happy travels!

It depends on which toll road. The roads are run by different private companies, unlike the US interstate system. We experimented in July and August. L'Autoroute du Soleil from Paris to Aix does take US cards at its automated booths. The one which goes along the Riviera to the Italian border is a different company and doesn't. Keep a pile of bills and change handy at all times. Small exits might have no human around for kilometers and kilometers we once found out the hard way.

Thanks to you all for responding,this Helpline is a wonderful resource for travelers and I will be sure to keep a reasonable amount of Euro with me. One last question,what is a typical or average toll amount? Thanks Again,John

There's no typical, but on long stretches it can go up to 20 euros. The viamichelin.com will give you the toll price of different routes.