First Timer - Last Minute Questions

[sayhello]

That's good to know. If I don't get my new card in time, I'll just bring another card with no chip.

Does you card have chip and pin? (ie, you have to enter a pin to use it). It has to have both, or it won't help. Just the chip does nothing for you in Europe.

At least it wasn't compromised while you were gone!

Sayhello

 

[TXTransplant]

Does you card have chip and pin? (ie, you have to enter a pin to use it). It has to have both, or it won't help. Just the chip does nothing for you in Europe.

At least it wasn't compromised while you were gone!

Sayhello

No, it's chip and signature (no pin). I specifically asked about chip and pin vs chip and signature and they said both would work.

And yes, IDK what made me check my account today, but I'm glad I did! Had I not, there wouldn't have been time to send me a new card and who knows how many other fraudulent charges would have been made while I'm gone!

 

[sayhello]

No, it's chip and signature (no pin). I specifically asked about chip and pin vs chip and signature and they said both would work.

And yes, IDK what made me check my account today, but I'm glad I did! Had I not, there wouldn't have been time to send me a new card and who knows how many other fraudulent charges would have been made while I'm gone!

Good to know! Thanks!

Sayhello

 

[TXTransplant]

This reminds me...do the guides like to be tipped in dollars or euros? I was planning to tip in euros because I didn't want to carry all that cash on the plane.

 

[carpenta]

I tipped in Dollars for one of our guides was returning to the U.S.. The other I tipped half Euro and half dollar. She was staying in Europe and traveling to the U.S. later. You are lucky for the conversion rate spread is pretty close today. One year it was $1.45 Euro to $1.00 dollar....plus the Vat tax on purchases.....not many purchases that year.

 

[ABDHelper]

This reminds me...do the guides like to be tipped in dollars or euros? I was planning to tip in euros because I didn't want to carry all that cash on the plane.

It is always good to carry Euros once you have arrived. Many shops and restaurants do not accept credit cards and in some towns it might be difficult to find an ATM.

 

[tufbuf]

Does you card have chip and pin? (ie, you have to enter a pin to use it). It has to have both, or it won't help. Just the chip does nothing for you in Europe.

At least it wasn't compromised while you were gone!

Sayhello

We also never had to use a PIN with our chip card. I think it's more secure with the PIN though.

 

[TXTransplant]

Well, I doubt I'm going to have any kind of chipped card. Talked to the credit card company this afternoon and my new card hasn't even shipped, yet. I'm going to take a regular, old, non-chipped Am Ex for emergency back-up, but since that card has foreign transaction fees, I'm going to plan to just use cash.

 

[tufbuf]

Well, I doubt I'm going to have any kind of chipped card. Talked to the credit card company this afternoon and my new card hasn't even shipped, yet. I'm going to take a regular, old, non-chipped Am Ex for emergency back-up, but since that card has foreign transaction fees, I'm going to plan to just use cash.

American Express no longer has foreign transaction fees, right? We were notified about it a few months ago and have been using it internationally.

 

[TXTransplant]

American Express no longer has foreign transaction fees, right? We were notified about it a few months ago and have been using it internationally.

Really? The last time I used my Am Ex internationally was in Nassau, on a stop for our cruise. That was about a year and a half ago ago, and I got charged additional fees. My card is through Bank of America...does that make a difference? I guess I should call them to check.

 

[tufbuf]

Really? The last time I used my Am Ex internationally was in Nassau, on a stop for our cruise. That was about a year and a half ago year ago, and I got charged additional fees. My card is through Bank of America...does that make a difference? I guess I should call them to check.

Yes, ask them. We have AmEx cards, with a chip though, and no foreign transaction fees. I think they started that early this year.

 

[calypso726]

No, it's chip and signature (no pin). I specifically asked about chip and pin vs chip and signature and they said both would work.

Chip and signature should work when there is a cashier or attendant present. However, at unmanned kiosks only a chip and pin will work.

American Express no longer has foreign transaction fees, right? We were notified about it a few months ago and have been using it internationally.

Amex did away with the FTF on some of their cards but not all of the AMEX cards. Very happy about that so now I have more diversity using no FTF cards abroad. There are some places in Europe that won't accept AMEX so it is still good to have a back up card.