debit card for Europe Bus. trip

[midwestdee]

DH is going to England - business trip for 1 week. Any ins and outs on a debit card for this trip? We don't use debit cards - protections aren't the same as for credit cards - problems with skimming, etc.... I just go to the bank and cash a check when I want cash. So we are basically debit card dummies. Truly any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[ryalluvdiz]

I just read about a visa debit card for travelers cheques... I think its just a prepaid card with a visa logo. Im even thinking of using it on my 2 week disney trip to just have the security of leaving the debit card at home... Maybe that would work for you?

 

[midwestdee]

Thanks - I was wondering if one of the prepay options might be good. I'll definitely be looking into that. I know different cards have different fees too and I thought someone might have experience with that.

 

[snowwite]

I just read about a visa debit card for travelers cheques... I think its just a prepaid card with a visa logo. Im even thinking of using it on my 2 week disney trip to just have the security of leaving the debit card at home... Maybe that would work for you?

I have used these in past. We got them at local AAA office but there is a fee for use in foreign country. We go to UK twice a year and we exchange money at the airport and take cash. You can also use your AAA card as a prepaid American Express credit card which is good for when you need to provide a credit card to check in to hotel. I discovered even when you prepay the hotel most will still require a card be on file for incidentals.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

A debit card linked to your checking account will work fine in European ATMs. Just make sure you have a 4 digit PIN.

He can also just use regular credit cards. Some do have foreign transaction fees; you'll have to check if yours do.

 

[Disflyer]

Be careful in England, most of Europe no longer accepts credit/debit cards with the magnetic strip, instead they use the "smartcard" which is a card with an electronic chip in it. It is very common and I believe only one bank in the US so far issues the cards with the EMV technology.

Just be prepared for either refusal of acceptance or to jump through hoops galore if you bring a traditional magnetic strip style card. More often than not we have to find an ATM to pay for everything in cash.

 

[wiigirl]

I have used the American Express Travel Card....didn't have a place that didn't take it.

https://www.americanexpress.com/australia/personal/travel/prepaid_travel_card/index.shtml?TARGET=https://www279.americanexpress.com/GPTRAVELWeb/SSO/myaccount.do

 

[distherapy]

We just got back from a week in London and had no trouble with our magnetic strip credit cards. No one even looked twice. We used the Capital One Venture card so we wouldn't have to pay foreign transaction fees.

Why are you using a debit card rather than a credit card?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Be careful in England, most of Europe no longer accepts credit/debit cards with the magnetic strip, instead they use the "smartcard" which is a card with an electronic chip in it. It is very common and I believe only one bank in the US so far issues the cards with the EMV technology.

Just be prepared for either refusal of acceptance or to jump through hoops galore if you bring a traditional magnetic strip style card. More often than not we have to find an ATM to pay for everything in cash.

None of what you posted is correct. I travel internationally fairly often and have a lot of experience with this issue.

Most places which accept credit cards in Europe will accept a card without a chip and pin (although sometimes they don't want to), including all ATMs. The exceptions are train/subway stations which often do not accept magnetic cards in ticket machines and small retail establishments.

A number of banks in the US now issue chip and pin cards. I recently got a chip and pin MasterCard from USAA.