Bank Card

[johnBCCanada]

Just curious. In 2008 my bank card worked fine. I am wondering about now as my bank (credit union actually) has not yet switched over to "chip" enhanced bank cards. They may do so before I travel but they don't know for sure.

Can anyone tell me if they older bank cards (non-chip) still work fine?

John

 

[ivar]

In Spain they are just starting to use the "chip-card"... most cards are still the old "Swipe" cards... so it should be no problems..

Greetings from a rainy and windy Santiago,
Ivar

 

[crhutch]

I contacted by credit union AND visa about using my non chip card in Spain and was assured that generally (my emphasis) there would be no problem. I emphasize the term generally, because neither could adequately answer it the non chip cards would work in certain rail and airline kiosks.

 

[johnBCCanada]

Thanks for the information and the reassurance. I'm usually careful to re-stock with cash before I need it so I should be fine. In this kind of changeover I will probably not be the only one with an older swipe card.

John

 

[Canuck]

Hi!

I'm spending winter in Spain (three months in the Alicante area).
Although I'm travelling with a ''chip'' card, most of the places where I use it still swipe it and require my signature.

Go with peace of mind!

Jean-Marc

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Yes and a whole number of places seem to be in "transition" where they ask you to enter yout PIN number then ask for a signature!

 

[ivar]

One important thing, if you have a chip-card...you need to remember you pin!

..but all terminals in Spain (at least in stores) take both chip and non-chip cards.

Saludos,
Ivar

 

[alipilgrim]

Apparently the credit card companies in America have NO plans to adopt the 'chip' system, so hopefully Europe will continue to 'swipe' cards for a long time to come!

 

[johnBCCanada]

Strange that the American credit cards aren't changing over as I know that the Canadian credit cards are switching over.

John

 

[alipilgrim]

Yes, the Americans are very slow to adopt many innovations (like recycling!)

 

[grayland]

Yes, the Americans are very slow to adopt many innovations (like recycling!)

Gee, thanks neighbor. Strange that such criticism is needed even when it has nothing to do with the discussion. :roll:

 

[johnBCCanada]

It is strange/curious that the US isn't adopting chip credit cards and I have no idea about their recycling (ours is a work in progress) and I am not going to criticize others when we have so much to work on at home in Canada!

and I started this topic just looking for a bit of reassurance about getting money from the bank machines in spain

 

[grayland]

I don't think you will have any issues with your card, John. I have used a non-chip card (U.S.) in Spain and all over Europe last year and many years before that and never had a hint that there was now a problem or that there would be.
The chip cards have been issued in Europe for some time but it has not affected the non-chip card user in my experience.
Unless and until the U.S., Canada and most other tourist heavy countries go to the card, it would be a nasty blow to Visa and merchants in Europe.
I am not sure if Japan and the rest of Europe have made the change. Australia?

 

[Rose Louise]

Hi

You asked the question "Australia?" From January 2010 all new Visa cards will include a chip.

Cheers Rose Louise

 

[renegadepilgrim]

Yes, the Americans are very slow to adopt many innovations (like recycling!)

Um, I live in Oregon, home of the Bottle Bill and many other innovative programs for recycling.

I hadn't even thought about whether my bank card would work or not since the last time I was in Europe I didn't have any problems. Thanks for the discussion on this. I appreciate it.