I thought I would pass on a tip and experiences using credit cards outside of the United States. Europe has for some time had chips in their credit cards. Few ticket machines or toll booths work with our magnetic stripes across the pond. Mexico started using them a couple of years ago and Canada joined the rest this last year.
After a meal, the server brings a wireless credit card reader to the table. You credit card is inserted into the end of the reader and the transaction is done. Having a new card saves a lot of time and frustration trying to explain that your card has no chip, especially if you don't speak the language, . Since the menu price in most of Europe is inclusive, you don't have to figure in a tip.
We almost created an international incident at a French toll highway when the automated booth reader would not take cash or any of the cards we had with us. With a long line of cars behind us and the machine blinking the payment amount, an attendant finally ran across the highway dodging cars and took cash from us.
So, before any trip to a NAFTA country or other destinations abroad, call your credit card company and request a card with a chip in it. I did and they offered free 2nd day service with our new card. Same account, same cc number, no charge. Make sure your company offers the same service. If they try to charge, protest.
Rick Steves has a good article on the subject at: http://www.ricksteves.com/tms/article.cfm?id=243&extras=false (http://www.ricksteves.com/tms/article.cfm?id=243&extras=false)
Pierce
I've never been to Europe but I've been all over Mexico. Never had a problem with any of my normal credit or ATM cards. I do notify my banks of the dates for international use, however. Otherwise, they are rejected.
Actually Europe has had the 4 pin cards for a very long time and Canada did theirs about 10 yrs ago (guesstimate) I travel every year at least once and have had my chip 4 digit visa for around that many.
There are many things that the Euro's are ahead of N America.
John H
Shhh, John. (Looks around nervously) No one here is supposed to know that.
Craig
If these cards are also known as RFID cards, I don't want one. Keeping it wrapped in foil so someone walking down the street can't scan it isn't for me. RFID Credit Cards Are Easy Prey for Hackers, Demo Shows | PCWorld (http://www.pcworld.com/article/249138/rfid_credit_cards_are_easy_prey_for_hackers_demo_shows.html)
Snopes says that the newer cards aren't as vulnerable. That may be, but I still don't want one.
I think the rfid is a seperate item from the chip I think but if you go to many countries and try to use it at businesses or get money out the bank you are out of luck. We can also use a debit card but it needs that chip
John