Headed to Italy and want to use either VISA or AMEX to purchase rail tickets at an automated ticket machine. Our cards do not have pins or chips. Has anyone had any experience with this and are the US issues cards accepted at the ticket machines
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23568 posts
Nope ! And the Am Express is practically worthless as only a few high end place with accept them. In Europe it is a Visa and Mastercard world.
Posted by
OP
Greenville, SC, USA
43 posts
Do you mean Nope the cards are not accepted, or you have not had experience with this. Thanks
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23568 posts
The standard AM credit card will not work in the newer ticket machine. In very large terminals like Termini there are still older style machine that will take magnetic strip cards. Last year in Termini they were location towards middle of the sea of machines. In smaller Termini it will be hit or miss depending on new or old machines. And you can still use your card at the ticket window.
Posted by
Port St Joe Florida
513 posts
I have purchased tickets in the UK from machines with my Am Express card with no problems. I also have travelled extensively in Europe the past 10 years - 4 to 5 trips per year - and have found my Am Express card accepted at 95% plus of the restaurants and hotels I have used. I carry a MC debit card to use in ATMs.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23568 posts
But that still does not change the facts that the AM express card is not widely accepted. It may be accepted at your hotels and restaurants but you probably choice those place because the accept the card. 95% of the places I visit do not accept American Express.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19240 posts
The Bahn website says that they take AMEX cards for train ticket purchase. On the other hand, 95% of the accommodation places I've stayed at in the last seven years don't.