'Chip' on credit cards?

[arwensun1965 0]

Another little travel tip is that on some train operating companies you can spend dollars, especially South West Trains. This never used to happen but when they installed there new equipment it had the know how to do it. Also you can use your credit cards over here, most stores have manual override. Some shops, especially small independent shops do not have this, but overall most do.

Janice

[TracyTN 237]

Ah so it sounds like if we play the 'desperate tourist' card, we'll be okay (in the larger shops). Well, I'll definitely let you all know what experiences I have this time over. But I'm still going to take a wad of cash too.

[Lou Lou 1]

I think the larger shops and major tourist areas will always take your card. It would silly not to take them as they'd be turning down business everywhere. It's good that the UK are finally battling down on the credit card fraud issue, but to alienate tourists in the meantime would be a mighty fine mistake. By the way, I've never had any trouble using my US cards in the UK this year. Mostly in M&S and large chains though

[Wrenly 0]

Tracy--just be careful (I sound like my mom *rolls eyes*). They were talking on the radio the other day about people who had their wallet and cash on one side of the SECURITY CHECKPOINT and didn't have it on the other side. I'd put your cash in your jeans pocket!

You can't even trust the people in security!!!

[TracyTN 237]

Tracy--just be careful (I sound like my mom *rolls eyes*). They were talking on the radio the other day about people who had their wallet and cash on one side of the SECURITY CHECKPOINT and didn't have it on the other side. I'd put your cash in your jeans pocket!

You can't even trust the people in security!!!

Yes, very good idea. Paper money won't make the security beeper go off!

[Vagina Journey 0]

Last 2 trips i had the same problem, found that some shops took the card while others refused it.

[Toledospod 0]

Time for me to chirp in here I can certifiably tell you that all the retailer that you went into Tracey was talking rubbish! I worked part-time for WHSmith over here and this was only last month and I took loads of foreign cards as methods of payment by swiping them and I never had to refuse them. If the stores you go into(certainly the bigger ones)have a decent chip and pin system and they tried to swipe your card, it would go through without any problem. The chip and pin terminals are connected to a main terminal which still have the swipe bits on the side and the machines know if the card that is being swiped is a Chip and Pin card or not. The weird thing about all of this is that I still see some retailers try to swipe my Chip and Pin card and then they obviously see a message on the terminal which says insert the card into the Chip terminal! They might as well just do that anyway, its just a waste of time swiping them

I would strongly advise you NOT to carry large amounts of cash with you, you are just asking to be mugged The best thing to do is get UK Sterling travellers cheque. I think that American Express now do a Travellers cheque card in the US(they do over here)and it allows you to charge the card with any amount of money and it works like you have a credit card, except that you know how much is on there and when the money runs out that's it. It can be re-charged really easily on the internet or on the phone. I got one when my wife and I went to the US last month to get my Visa stamped and it was so easy to use(much easier than carrying Travellers Cheques). The best thing is that the money on the card that isn't used stays on there for a very long time, so you don't have to worry about using it.

[TracyTN 237]

Thanks londonspod, although I haven't yet traveled there since the 'chipped' credit card days. Maybe you were referring to Girona40's experience with the retailer?

And yeah, obviously I'm not going to be walking central London with tons of cash in my purse. Since my fiance lives there, I will leave what I won't immediately need locked up in his flat, and just take what I'll need for the day's outing and put it in my pocket. That way, even if my purse got snatched, they wouldn't get my cash.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

I was worried after reading this post as we are going home to the UK in sept.... I phoned Mastercard both in the UK and here in the States and asked about this chip and pin... they both tell me that all chip and pin termanals have the ability to read the strip on non UK credit cards and I should have no problems using my credit card in the UK... they said that when chip and pin was introduced in the UK both mastercard and visa made it that all cards from any country can be read in all machines.... it is not in there interests to exclude card users from another country....

Hope this helps

Kezzie

[Toledospod 0]

Thanks londonspod, although I haven't yet traveled there since the 'chipped' credit card days. Maybe you were referring to Girona40's experience with the retailer?

Oops!! Must've got confused there Sorry about the mix up.

[TracyTN 237]

No worries!!

[Sister Fracas 5]

I would strongly advise you NOT to carry large amounts of cash with you, you are just asking to be mugged The best thing to do is get UK Sterling travellers cheque. I think that American Express now do a Travellers cheque card in the US(they do over here)and it allows you to charge the card with any amount of money and it works like you have a credit card, except that you know how much is on there and when the money runs out that's it. It can be re-charged really easily on the internet or on the phone. I got one when my wife and I went to the US last month to get my Visa stamped and it was so easy to use(much easier than carrying Travellers Cheques). The best thing is that the money on the card that isn't used stays on there for a very long time, so you don't have to worry about using it.

I like the cheque card idea a lot...!!! Thanks for a good idea.

I was worried after reading this post as we are going home to the UK in sept.... I phoned Mastercard both in the UK and here in the States and asked about this chip and pin... they both tell me that all chip and pin termanals have the ability to read the strip on non UK credit cards and I should have no problems using my credit card in the UK... they said that when chip and pin was introduced in the UK both mastercard and visa made it that all cards from any country can be read in all machines.... it is not in there interests to exclude card users from another country....

Hope this helps

Kezzie

thanks for doing some research.....was getting a bit nervous there about our trip in August...

but you are right, it is not in the interest of a retailer to turn down anyone's money, no matter who is doing the buying.

[godsavethequeen 0]

I found the opposite problem with my UK CHIP & PIN card in the US. It spewed cash out of the ATM easily, but in shops the card was refused on every occassion that I had to swipe it. Most annoying. Shopping trolley full and not enough cash in my pockets. oooppppssssss. The future is not homogenised

Whats that you U.S.ers put on your cash?? In god we trust??

I say ...godsavethequeen, the fascist regime,

[yabasta 0]

Whats that you U.S.ers put on your cash?? In god we trust??

NEW WORLD ORDER

MASONIC SEAL

TINY OWL

[JAYKE 0]

From http://www.chipandpin.co.uk/faqs/affect.html#affect :

I am visiting the UK as a tourist or on business and I don't have a chip and PIN card - will I be able to use it in shops?

You don't need to worry. Your cards will still be accepted in UK shops and by other businesses including hotels and restaurants. You will simply be asked to sign, just as before. The changes taking place after 14 February 2006 only apply to chip and PIN cardholders.

Are there any exceptions where people will sign after 14 February 2006?

There are some important exceptions where signature will always be accepted. These are for:

* cardholders who have old style cards and are waiting for their new chip and PIN cards;

* overseas cardholders that have cards that have not been upgraded to chip and PIN

* disabled cardholders who are unable to use PIN and have requested a chip and signature card

* for all cardholders in shops which have not upgraded to chip and PIN equipment

Edited June 29, 2006 by JAYKE