Post: #1

Did a search but didn't find an exact thread on this...going to Germany/Austria+CzechR next month, wondering if I need to get signed up for credit or ATM cards that have chips in them or if I can expect to be able to withdraw cash and swipe.

Plane is already paid for, I plan to bill the pricier accommodations and big dinners by credit but live by cash otherwise, just want to make sure that high-priced meal doesn't get denied unexpectedly or that the ATM won't go nuts.

Also what's the deal with credit card PINs? Are they commonly requested in central Europe? Will my credit provider have those (e.g. by mail) if I ask for them? Thanks for any advice.

Post: #2

I'd recommend getting one.

It's always better to have several payment options, which you should keep separately. I learned the hard way when I went to Thailand by myself when I was 20, and had my wallet stolen with all my cards together.

You'll usually have to use a PIN, make sure you allow time for the bank to deliver the card and let them know you'll be using it in Europe.

If I was American I would get a Charles Schwab card, which doesn't usually charge foreign ATM fees.

Post: #3

It's recommended but not necessary. Just bring a debit card with you along with your credit card. Most credit swipers have an option for PIN or signature. In my recent trip to Sweden the only problem I had was with one taxi driver where my cards didn't work. We had to go to an ATM to get cash so I could pay him.

Post: #4

You can normally get by witout one but you should get one. ATM machines generally doesn't matter if you have a chip. Also generally they can take a US non chip card. That said anything automated needs a chip so if your in a train station after hours and a person isn't on duty you can buy a ticket from a machine with a chip card but not without.

I'd recommend signing up for a Chase Saphire Preferred card. Seems to be a favorite amongst guys on here, I have one myself. It's a great card, great bonus if you spend 3k in the first 90 days and also it has a chip and no international fees.

If you don't have time to get one of those you can get a prepaid chip card from Travelex but your also going to be paying like a 16% markup on your currency you put on the card. If its your only option I'd suggest buying a Travelex card and putting like $50 just to get it started. Don't use it as your primary way of spending but at least you have a chip card. You can always add to it later if you must.

Post: #5

I'd recommend it. ATM machines aren't much of an issue but I find that some self service kiosks (like for train tickets) weren't reading my debit card but they would read my credit card with the chip. I think between bringing a regular debit card in addition to a credit card with a chip you'll be ok.

Post: #6

Thanks guys. BTW here's a link on foreign-travel credit cards I gt from an old RVF thread: http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/top-credi...edit-card/

Post: #7

There's two different types of Chip cards. Chip and PIN, which is common in Europe, and will be common in the US soon; and Chip and Signature which is common in the US and not really useful in Europe from a Chip perspective. The Chip+PIN option is much more secure than the Chip+Signature version. That said, there is only one credit card available to Americans that I'm aware of with Chip+PIN right now, and it's the Barclaycard Arrival+. I find it to be a great card and it's the primary card I'll be taking to Europe with me when I go in three weeks. The Chase Sapphire Preferred is now shipping with the Chip+Signature option, but the Chip+PIN is understood to be workable on it in the future, it's a service Chase needs to turn on but has not yet. That said, Barclay is a bank that operates predominantly in Europe and is expanding their operations and offerings in the US which is likely one reason they're able to bring the technology here first, they already use it in their home market. Additionally, the card is quite useful as it's points allow you to offset travel costs, and costs associated with traveling when you purchase them with the card. Already I've used mine to wipe out $200 in hotel charges for two nights in Bangkok (regrettably booked before the coup because I could probably get great rates right now), and $125 for a train ticket between Pamplona and Barcelona, so I know it works. There's also 0% foreign transaction fees and you get 120 days to redeem points for the travel after it's been charged.

Post: #8

Only needed a chipped card once in Europe, and that was at a gas station in France. All I needed to do was find someone to pay Euros and he used his chipped card. Never once encountered an ATM that wouldn't take a magnetic strip card.

One thing I have read is that your PIN should not start with a zero as it can cause issues in some countries.