Credit Cards

[B Wright]

Can both "chip" and "swipe" cards be used in France and Spain?

 

[Olivares]

The chip and PIN system is the dominant card payment platform in most European commercial venues, but some do still accept the swipe. However, many establishments have been phasing out the swipe capability. My advise is try to get all your money cards (credit/debit) issued with the chip.

 

[ivar]

I have a brand new terminal that I use for those who pay for the luggage storage here in Santiago. It comes with both... I usually try chip first.. if that does not work, then we swipe and sign (as before). I think most terminals have both, but the chip is definitely what is used more.

 

[jmcarp]

I have a brand new terminal that I use for those who pay for the luggage storage here in Santiago. It comes with both... I usually try chip first.. if that does not work, then we swipe and sign (as before). I think most terminals have both, but the chip is definitely what is used more.

All my US-issued credit cards have been reissued with chips; however, here in the US the chip cards generally require verification by signature, not by PIN. Has that been a problem in Spain (or other areas of Europe) that generally look for PIN verification?

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

All my US-issued credit cards have been reissued with chips; however, here in the US the chip cards generally require verification by signature, not by PIN. Has that been a problem in Spain (or other areas of Europe) that generally look for PIN verification?

My cards are with chip and pin, that is mostly used in Europe.
I also must tell You that I'm from the EU.
Wish you well, Peter.

 

[ivar]

All my US-issued credit cards have been reissued with chips; however, here in the US the chip cards generally require verification by signature, not by PIN. Has that been a problem in Spain (or other areas of Europe) that generally look for PIN verification?

With my machine, when I put in a card from the US (using the chip) it just prints out a slip that the card holder must sign. No problem. You might find that some places will ask you for ID to make sure the signature is you.

 

[jmcarp]

With my machine, when I put in a card from the US (using the chip) it just prints out a slip that the card holder must sign. No problem. You might find that some places will ask you for ID to make sure the signature is you.

Thanks, Ivar. That's pretty much what I expected, and is the way my swipe cards have worked in the past when in Europe.

 

[Tia Valeria]

I remember that in the past some people have had prblems with their PIN. If you have a 6 digit PIN you need to ask to have it changed to a 4 digit PIN. This might then have to be changed back when you get home although our card provider says that it is OK to simply add two zeros to the end of the number.

Is this still correct Ivar?

 

[spursfan]

More importantly, beware the offer to fix the exchange rate for your US card when used abroad - insist on being charged in local currency / euros

 

[mylifeonvacation]

With my machine, when I put in a card from the US (using the chip) it just prints out a slip that the card holder must sign. No problem. You might find that some places will ask you for ID to make sure the signature is you.

I'm from the US and have used a credit card quite a bit in Spain over the past year and this is exactly how it worked for me. They would insert the card, ask if I wanted to pay in Euro or USD (answer: Euro), and the receipt would print out for signature. Easy peasy!

 

[ivar]

I remember that in the past some people have had prblems with their PIN. If you have a 6 digit PIN you need to ask to have it changed to a 4 digit PIN. This might then have to be changed back when you get home although our card provider says that it is OK to simply add two zeros to the end of the number.

Is this still correct Ivar?

I think (not sure) that the 6 number pins are on older US cards? I have never come across anyone trying to pay with a 6 pin code... I think it is one of those things that used to be a problem, but is slowly going away...

 

[grumerz]

Can both "chip" and "swipe" cards be used in France and Spain?

Just returned from the Camino de Santiago and used a swipe debit and chip credit cards. Never had a problem at ATM's, hotels, ship, or any other venues in SJPdP, SdC, Madrid, Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Cannes, or Marseilles. With the exception of the ATM's, everyone had a dual-method charge machine.

 

[OTH86]

Just to reiterate - be pro-active and ask to be charged in Euros -- a couple of places charged me in dollars -- one reversed it, but it was a hassle, the other I failed to notice until I was away from the front desk. There usually are fees added to the conversion rate.

 

[Debora]

Can both "chip" and "swipe" cards be used in France and Spain?

Something to consider is that the Camino is predominately a cash economy...so, don't make plans on using the card outside of the larger cities. Consider bringing a prepaid cash travel cards. American Express, Visa, Master Card offer these - find the one with no fees, lowest charges, etc.. I didn't and wished I had. Have a great time.

 

[Terri B]

Just to reiterate - be pro-active and ask to be charged in Euros -- a couple of places charged me in dollars -- one reversed it, but it was a hassle, the other I failed to notice until I was away from the front desk. There usually are fees added to the conversion rate.

That's really good to know, I've iften been asked if I wanted to be charged in local currency or Australian dollars, but didn't know whether it made a difference.

 

[B Wright]

Interesting about the travel cash cards. Can they be purchased is US dollars and used in ATMs on the camino to get euros?

 

[november_moon]

Finding a travel cash card without unreasonable fees is a challenge for Americans. I don't know what's available in other countries, but I have yet to see one available in the US that was a good deal. For most people, using their regular ATM/debit card is the best bet.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Our Canadian credit card also has the "tap" feature but it only seemed to work on purchases lower than €40 but that may simply be because we didn't set anything up in advance with our bank. Very quick and handy.