Embossed number credit card for European car rental.

My credit cards from Chase and Citi have embossed numbers.

Maybe try a different rental company. I can’t imagine they are all requiring embossed cards.

@ Dani

All my credit cards have embossed numbers. Mastercard. All issued within the last 2 years.

However, my debit cards and multicurrency debit cards are not embossed. All credit and debit cards are chip and PIN. Tap and go with domestic transaction limit without pin authorisation set at at $200AUD and International tap and go limit set at zero.

Checked with my wife, all her credit cards are embossed. Mastercard and Visa. Latest Visa issued June 2023

Regards Ron

Hmm, had to go look at my cards... Visa: B of A, Citi and Chase , not embossed.
CapOne M/C- not embossed

Amex- embossed.

No idea if an embossed version can be requested.

If they require embossed cars they are going to turn back a lot of customers. Cards not being embossed is the default now. What do they need it for? Use of those old CC imprint machines is no longer allowed.

I have an upcoming rental with Europcar and indeed I see the same requirement. My credit cards are embossed, but still, sounds weird given that nobody uses the old imprint machines anymore in Europe

Just checked our cards from Capitol One - embossed. We rent through Sixt. I looked at their website and nothing is mentioned about embossed Numbers.

Interesting, I've never had a credit or debit card or even seen one without embossed numbers. Now that I think of it, with tap and chip cards I have to wonder why they are embossed, possibly as a back to make a carbon copy if all systems go down.

Mastercard is doing away with the magnetic strip on credit cards.
https://www.mastercard.com/news/perspectives/2021/magnetic-stripe/

From the article:

The magnetic stripe will start to disappear in 2024 from Mastercard
payment cards in regions, such as Europe, where chip cards are already
widely used. Banks in the U.S. will no longer be required to issue
chip cards with a magnetic stripe, starting in 2027.

“It’s time to fully embrace these best-in-class capabilities, which
ensure consumers can pay simply, swiftly and with peace of mind,” says
Ajay Bhalla, president of Mastercard’s Cyber & Intelligence business.
“What’s best for consumers is what’s best for everyone in the
ecosystem.”

By 2029, no new Mastercard credit or debit cards will be issued with a
magnetic stripe. Prepaid cards in the U.S. and Canada are currently
exempt from this change.

I have to wonder if this will create chaos for some Americans in Europe or for tourists visiting the US. On my recent trip to Florida I was surprised how few places we visited had tap technology. One large chain restaurant actually swiped my card and had me sign even though Mastercard hasn't required signatures in years. I wonder what would have happened if my card didn't have the magnetic stripe?

My cards are all not embossed, and I like that, as that means a slimmer wallet.

What is also interesting is that my new (Swiss) cards also have a portrait orientation, in stead of the landscape orientation that was common, and that there is no place to sign them, as that is no longer required.

Basically in Europe it's Chip+Pin or Tap (+ sometimes Pin) all the way.

None of my cards are embossed. On one there's nothing on the front except for the bank logo and my name while the number and expiration date are on the back.

Interesting. I just re-read my AutoEurope voucher for a Sixt car in Ireland and there is no mention of an embossed card. However I also checked my Cap One, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and my 2 Citibank Mastercards - and all are embossed (some more than others).

I appreciate everyone’s replies. It’s an interesting conundrum. I have a Costco Citi Visa - I called to inquire about getting an embossed card but they said they can’t do that. I think I will book with a different rental company that doesn't have that crazy requirement. I’d hate to show up at the rental desk only to be denied because I don’t have the right credit card.

As long as you have a Costco Card, check prices through Costco Travel.

Just rented a car from Europcar in Edinbugh last week and did not require a raised letter CC. Just tap. I think this is a non-issue.