We are planning to go to Italy the month of November this year. We want to buy all our train tickets in country when we get there. This may sound like a dumn question but I've heard stories that sometimes credit cards don't work in Italy. Is this true and if so why? Also will I be able to pay for my train tickets with my visa card at Santa Lucia in Venice?
The big problem that has been discussed on this board is purchasing tickets via the internet. That is the only place the the Am credit card is not acceptable. You can always use your card with a live ticket agent. Most of the ticket machines will accept the card. I saw one bank of ten new ticket machines in Termini that took only the chip card and a hundred or more of the old machines which everyone was using. Just be sure all of your card issuers know that you will be in Europe. You should have no problems.
Sometimes your card could be declined in Italy because the company puts a fraud alert on it. Make sure you contact them before you go so they are aware you will be overseas. Capital One has a great automated phone-in system that doesn't require you to talk to a human being. Used it twice, never had a problem.