Calling all Euro Travelers...!

BimmerRookie · 06-13-2016, 08:59 AM

A little advice with a simple yes or no question...

I'm travelling to Eastern Europe (touristy places) in a week for some vacation and was curious if my chip-and-signature card will work without a PIN in Europe? If so, what should I do when prompted for the PIN on the card reader?

I've search around and some websites say yes, it will work, and some say no. Thus, those of you who have traveled there recently, do your chip-and-signature cards work there as expected? Only as of late I've found out that one can request a PIN, but that takes 7-10 business days to arrive by mail. The problem with that is that I leave in 6 days (19th of June).

Any advice? TIA

ASAP · 06-13-2016, 09:18 AM

It is highly advisable to have the PIN, I have ran into this issue many times... it may work or may not, but I believe you can call your CC company and they should set it up for u in minutes.

SCHMOUPE · 06-13-2016, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

A little advice with a simple yes or no question...

I'm travelling to Eastern Europe (touristy places) in a week for some vacation and was curious if my chip-and-signature card will work without a PIN in Europe? If so, what should I do when prompted for the PIN on the card reader?

I've search around and some websites say yes, it will work, and some say no. Thus, those of you who have traveled there recently, do your chip-and-signature cards work there as expected? Only as of late I've found out that one can request a PIN, but that takes 7-10 business days to arrive by mail. The problem with that is that I leave in 6 days (19th of June).

Any advice? TIA

I just came back from Germany and used my Visa card and Amex (both chipped) without any issues and no need for a pin. It could be different in the locations you are visiting but I think you will be fine.

ASAP · 06-13-2016, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHMOUPE

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

A little advice with a simple yes or no question...

I'm travelling to Eastern Europe (touristy places) in a week for some vacation and was curious if my chip-and-signature card will work without a PIN in Europe? If so, what should I do when prompted for the PIN on the card reader?

I've search around and some websites say yes, it will work, and some say no. Thus, those of you who have traveled there recently, do your chip-and-signature cards work there as expected? Only as of late I've found out that one can request a PIN, but that takes 7-10 business days to arrive by mail. The problem with that is that I leave in 6 days (19th of June).

Any advice? TIA

I just came back from Germany and used my Visa card and Amex (both chipped) without any issues and no need for a pin. It could be different in the locations you are visiting but I think you will be fine.

What do u do if a PIN screen comes up? Had this happen many times in Eastern Europe.

BimmerRookie · 06-13-2016, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHMOUPE

I just came back from Germany and used my Visa card and Amex (both chipped) without any issues and no need for a pin. It could be different in the locations you are visiting but I think you will be fine.

Were you ever prompted for a PIN with your visa? If so, what did you do?

David0ff · 06-13-2016, 10:35 AM

Dont buy from the Romanian Gypsy. All fake.

Robin_NL · 06-13-2016, 10:41 AM

We(western EU, Benelux/NL) use debit and creditcards 9/10 times with PIN....

My debit bankcard has it (as let's say 100% of the debit bankcards here in West EU) and my creditcard as well....

Su get your PIN asap...

@ ATMs you need a PIN...

You're visiting Prague? Idem dito(My wife was there 2 years ago. Or cash or PIN...)

Cheers
Robin

BimmerRookie · 06-13-2016, 10:46 AM

^ thanks for the advice. My debit card has a chip and pin, but my credit card does not have a pin associated with it. I just called and it will take 7-10 business days to receive the PIN by mail, so looks like I won't be getting it in time.

ASAP · 06-13-2016, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

^ thanks for the advice. My debit card has a chip and pin, but my credit card does not have a pin associated with it. I just called and it will take 7-10 business days to receive the PIN by mail, so looks like I won't be getting it in time.

what cc is this? With my discover, you can set this up online in like minutes.

BimmerRookie · 06-13-2016, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASAP

what cc is this? With my discover, you can set this up online in like minutes.

Chase Sapphire preferred, Chase Southwest, Chase United

AIRPOWER · 06-13-2016, 11:06 AM

If you are prompted for a PIN, just press the red X and it will go to signature. This is not the case for ALL places though as said previously it is best to have the PIN.

SCHMOUPE · 06-13-2016, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

Were you ever prompted for a PIN with your visa? If so, what did you do?

was never prompted for a pin and used my credit card probably in 20-30 different shops/restaurants.

BimmerRookie · 06-13-2016, 11:17 AM

Gotcha. Thanks all. Even though it is too late to receive my ordered PIN by mail, I will try my luck and if not have cash.

KingOfJericho · 06-13-2016, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

Gotcha. Thanks all. Even though it is too late to receive my ordered PIN by mail, I will try my luck and if not have cash.

The only place I ever had an issue was at automated machines (train stations, etc). Never had an issue anywhere else and used my cards probably 100x.

Lups · 06-13-2016, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

A little advice with a simple yes or no question...

I'm travelling to Eastern Europe (touristy places) in a week for some vacation and was curious if my chip-and-signature card will work without a PIN in Europe? If so, what should I do when prompted for the PIN on the card reader?

I've search around and some websites say yes, it will work, and some say no. Thus, those of you who have traveled there recently, do your chip-and-signature cards work there as expected? Only as of late I've found out that one can request a PIN, but that takes 7-10 business days to arrive by mail. The problem with that is that I leave in 6 days (19th of June).

Any advice? TIA

Order a card and ask if a bank delivery is faster. You can use a card here in some places without a pin, buy most will make you have your passport with you and it's a lot of bother.

I drove through canada last year with an american cc and debit card and a Finnish debit card/ credit card, and that was not fun ( I had forgotten my Finnish pin. Fucking a ...)

ASAP · 06-13-2016, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AIRPOWER

If you are prompted for a PIN, just press the red X and it will go to signature. This is not the case for ALL places though as said previously it is best to have the PIN.

This worked in some places, but not really others...

AIRPOWER · 06-14-2016, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASAP

This worked in some places, but not really others...

Must be an echo in here.......

Cbozz · 06-14-2016, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

A little advice with a simple yes or no question...

I'm travelling to Eastern Europe (touristy places) in a week for some vacation and was curious if my chip-and-signature card will work without a PIN in Europe? If so, what should I do when prompted for the PIN on the card reader?

I've search around and some websites say yes, it will work, and some say no. Thus, those of you who have traveled there recently, do your chip-and-signature cards work there as expected? Only as of late I've found out that one can request a PIN, but that takes 7-10 business days to arrive by mail. The problem with that is that I leave in 6 days (19th of June).

Any advice? TIA

funny that you say this, I'm going to Europe in a week as well for 2 weeks, I advise call your credit card company and tell them where you going and time frames, I had my CC blocked before because I didn't call them. All CC there are chipped btw and all of them swipe in front of you... get a pin (obviously, duh!!)

BimmerRookie · 06-14-2016, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the advice all. I've already notified my bank that I will be travelling to various countries (I gave them the list). I've already requested my PIN's for each CC to be sent to me, but I doubt they'll reach me in time, as they take 7-10 business days by mail to arrive. Alternatively, I have decided to carry cash and withdraw from ATM's if needed (already inquired about banks foreign exchange surcharge). I will always try to use my CC wherever I can since it is ultimately the most convenient, but if they don't work, I have other options.

bkM3 · 06-16-2016, 05:34 PM

was in europe last year and had a cc with chip+pin technology (barclays arrival plus) but i never had an issue using my chase sapphire preferred anywhere without a pin. i think the main places that require chip +pin are the train station machines.

jaye944 · 06-17-2016, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASAP

What do u do if a PIN screen comes up? Had this happen many times in Eastern Europe.

06-13-2016, 08:59 AM	#1
BimmerRookie Major 471 Rep 1,318 Posts Drives: E93 Cavalier Z24 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Calling all Euro Travelers...! A little advice with a simple yes or no question... I'm travelling to Eastern Europe (touristy places) in a week for some vacation and was curious if my chip-and-signature card will work without a PIN in Europe? If so, what should I do when prompted for the PIN on the card reader? I've search around and some websites say yes, it will work, and some say no. Thus, those of you who have traveled there recently, do your chip-and-signature cards work there as expected? Only as of late I've found out that one can request a PIN, but that takes 7-10 business days to arrive by mail. The problem with that is that I leave in 6 days (19th of June). Any advice? TIA
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06-13-2016, 09:18 AM	#2
ASAP Major General 10881 Rep 9,062 Posts Drives: '23 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	It is highly advisable to have the PIN, I have ran into this issue many times... it may work or may not, but I believe you can call your CC company and they should set it up for u in minutes. __________________ 2 x N54 -> 1 x N55 -> 1 x S55-> 1 x B58
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06-13-2016, 10:35 AM	#6
David0ff Combined Applications Group 1052 Rep 654 Posts Drives: Lada Scrapus Trofeo R Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Classified iTrader: (1)	Dont buy from the Romanian Gypsy. All fake.
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06-13-2016, 10:41 AM	#7
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8968 Rep 7,863 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	We(western EU, Benelux/NL) use debit and creditcards 9/10 times with PIN.... My debit bankcard has it (as let's say 100% of the debit bankcards here in West EU) and my creditcard as well.... Su get your PIN asap... @ ATMs you need a PIN... You're visiting Prague? Idem dito(My wife was there 2 years ago. Or cash or PIN...) Cheers Robin __________________ 'I won't say anything 'cause no one listens to me anyway....I might as well be a Leonard Cohen record' -Neill
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06-13-2016, 10:46 AM	#8
BimmerRookie Major 471 Rep 1,318 Posts Drives: E93 Cavalier Z24 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	^ thanks for the advice. My debit card has a chip and pin, but my credit card does not have a pin associated with it. I just called and it will take 7-10 business days to receive the PIN by mail, so looks like I won't be getting it in time.
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06-13-2016, 11:06 AM	#11
AIRPOWER Lieutenant Colonel 1685 Rep 1,812 Posts Drives: 2015 6MT YMB M3, 1974 Corvette Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NW Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [9.67]	If you are prompted for a PIN, just press the red X and it will go to signature. This is not the case for ALL places though as said previously it is best to have the PIN. __________________ AIRPOWER
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06-13-2016, 11:17 AM	#13
BimmerRookie Major 471 Rep 1,318 Posts Drives: E93 Cavalier Z24 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Gotcha. Thanks all. Even though it is too late to receive my ordered PIN by mail, I will try my luck and if not have cash.
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06-14-2016, 01:52 PM	#19
BimmerRookie Major 471 Rep 1,318 Posts Drives: E93 Cavalier Z24 M3 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the advice all. I've already notified my bank that I will be travelling to various countries (I gave them the list). I've already requested my PIN's for each CC to be sent to me, but I doubt they'll reach me in time, as they take 7-10 business days by mail to arrive. Alternatively, I have decided to carry cash and withdraw from ATM's if needed (already inquired about banks foreign exchange surcharge). I will always try to use my CC wherever I can since it is ultimately the most convenient, but if they don't work, I have other options.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-16-2016, 05:34 PM	#20
bkM3 Captain 47 Rep 646 Posts Drives: 06 M3 Vert 6MT Carbon/Black Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brooklyn iTrader: (1)	was in europe last year and had a cc with chip+pin technology (barclays arrival plus) but i never had an issue using my chase sapphire preferred anywhere without a pin. i think the main places that require chip +pin are the train station machines.
	Appreciate 0 Quote