'Chip' on credit cards?

[TracyTN 237]

So my good friend Girona40 told me that when she went back to the UK in May, she was surprised to find that they wouldn't accept her hubby's American credit card because it doesn't have a 'chip' on it. I'm sure you UKers know that this is something new they have started (can't remember how recently) but this was the first I had heard of it. I think Chas just assumed we had them, too, cos he never mentioned it until I asked. Leave it to the US to be behind - again!

None of my credit cards have this 'chip', which means I'll be taking more cash over than I had planned on. I just wasn't sure if any other USCs here had heard of this, and thought it might spare you some grief if you have an upcoming trip over. I was very grateful for the info!

Hope it helps, and all apologies if this is 'old news'.

[yabasta 0]

Yes we all carry the mark here in the U.K. now. I found it odd that it had not reached America yet but i am sure it is coming. Just be sure to resist them if they want you to put one in your body.

Edited June 26, 2006 by yabasta

[TracyTN 237]

Thanks Yabasta, I'll keep that in mind!!

[Anyta Holland 0]

The chip + pin situation came on the 14th of Feb... That your friends card was not accepted is quite unusual, as most of the shops can still swipe your cards... My mum was over for three weeks not long ago, and she hasn't got chip + pin and she coul pay in most places with her credit card... The only shop she encountered a problem with was in an Outlet, where the sales lady wanted to do a manual approval, but if you explain that you are not a resident here they can sure wsipe it... If not, you will be able to get money out of ATM's with no problem at all...

[yabasta 0]

my pleasure

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2002/04/05/iv...our_chip_under/

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-5285815.html

[TracyTN 237]

The chip + pin situation came on the 14th of Feb... That your friends card was not accepted is quite unusual, as most of the shops can still swipe your cards... My mum was over for three weeks not long ago, and she hasn't got chip + pin and she coul pay in most places with her credit card... The only shop she encountered a problem with was in an Outlet, where the sales lady wanted to do a manual approval, but if you explain that you are not a resident here they can sure wsipe it... If not, you will be able to get money out of ATM's with no problem at all...

That's good to know, thanks! I'm taking mostly cash, and there are a few things (tickets for attractions) that I can get online with my card. But I am not going to plan on the kindness of strangers taking pity on my tourist a$$.

Cash is fine by me - no extra 'charges' for the currency exchange that way, either!

[Wrenly 0]

Did you get a good airfare deal? What airline? I'm looking to head over in November. Hoping the prices go down a bit. Cheapest I've seen so far is Virgin Atlantic.

Thanks for the info about the credit cards!

Have a wonderful time!

[TracyTN 237]

Thanks Wrenly!!

And no, I didn't get a good deal on airfare!! Mainly because I am flying in the summer (after Memorial day and before Labor Day), which means rates are as high as they can be. Also I don't fly out of a major airport (Nashville, then O'hare/Heathrow), so I have a connection to add to the cost as well. Anyway, I'm flying American. We got annoyed with United after his first time here. American is the only other one w/ decent fares from Nashvegas.

I'm also looking at going back in November. Looks like it'll be $750 round trip, though that may go down some as we get out of summer. (That's about $120 more than I paid last year when I went in September.)

You should do pretty well on Virgin, esp. if you fly out of a major airport w/out a connection. They only fly to Gatwick, though, which rules it out for me (fiance lives a stones throw from Heathrow).

[Wrenly 0]

Thanks Wrenly!!

And no, I didn't get a good deal on airfare!! Mainly because I am flying in the summer (after Memorial day and before Labor Day), which means rates are as high as they can be. Also I don't fly out of a major airport (Nashville, then O'hare/Heathrow), so I have a connection to add to the cost as well. Anyway, I'm flying American. We got annoyed with United after his first time here. American is the only other one w/ decent fares from Nashvegas.

I'm also looking at going back in November. Looks like it'll be $750 round trip, though that may go down some as we get out of summer. (That's about $120 more than I paid last year when I went in September.)

You should do pretty well on Virgin, esp. if you fly out of a major airport w/out a connection. They only fly to Gatwick, though, which rules it out for me (fiance lives a stones throw from Heathrow).

Sorry to keep taking this off topic, but I think Virgin does go to Heathrow:

PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR OUTBOUND FLIGHT

Departs Arrives Flight Cabin / Fare Type Duration

New York (JFK)London (LHR)VS026 Economy (lowest) 6:40 Hrs

10 NOV 07:30 10 NOV 19:10

You might want to double check on their site. I LOVE flying with them!

[TracyTN 237]

Thanks Wrenly, will do! Though where it becomes complicated for me is the connection. Sure, I can get a decent flight from JFK to LHR; but then add on a flight from BNA to JFK -on a different airline - reclaim bag, recheck with Virgin - it almost becomes more trouble than its worth to me.

Unfortunately.

Edited June 26, 2006 by TracyTN

[ktmmansgal 0]

So my good friend Girona40 told me that when she went back to the UK in May, she was surprised to find that they wouldn't accept her hubby's American credit card because it doesn't have a 'chip' on it. I'm sure you UKers know that this is something new they have started (can't remember how recently) but this was the first I had heard of it. I think Chas just assumed we had them, too, cos he never mentioned it until I asked. Leave it to the US to be behind - again!

None of my credit cards have this 'chip', which means I'll be taking more cash over than I had planned on. I just wasn't sure if any other USCs here had heard of this, and thought it might spare you some grief if you have an upcoming trip over. I was very grateful for the info!

Hope it helps, and all apologies if this is 'old news'.

Did this begin as a mandatory item? --- when I was in Northern England last Dec/Jan they said that it will soon be required that all credit cards have chips on them. Was there an AS OF DATE out there for not accepting the US style cards? I did not have any problems getting cash or using my card to pay for purchases. I will need to get some Pounds prior to leaving the states so I dont run into any problems ---

[TracyTN 237]

I'm not sure, ktmmansgal. Once I was told this by Girona40, I asked my fiance, who had heard what anytaholland said (that the effective date was 14 Feb) but little else. He had no idea that US cards didn't have them.

From what anytaholland just posted about her mum's experiences recently - as well as Girona40's experience in May, it almost sounds like it could be on a merchant to merchant basis or something. I need to Google this, see what I can come up with, too.

But yeah, I'm definitely going to be leaning more heavily on cash for this trip!

[yabasta 0]

The chip should nto effect the ATM though so you should be able to just get cash and spend that. I would suggest somebody with a non chipped card performs an experiment for all non chipped people.

[TracyTN 237]

Sounds like the ATMs are only supposed to be about halfway converted at this point. So that's another way around it, although I almost cringe to think of the surcharge my bank would charge me for the pleasure of using an ATM over there! So I think I'll get my cash out before I leave the states!

Article

[Girona40 0]

The chip should nto effect the ATM though so you should be able to just get cash and spend that. I would suggest somebody with a non chipped card performs an experiment for all non chipped people.

You can certainly use your US credit card in ATM's in England. It wasn't ALL merchants that refused to take it - those that had the old manual style of making a credit transaction had no problem. But, several places would not take it, saying it was not "legal" for them to do so, after the 1st May 06. Not sure how true this is, but it made for frustrating shopping that's for sure.

Mind you - we did get a free round of drinks when we went into one bar and ordered lunch. We had our drinks while we chose from the menu and then, when we came to pay, they said they couldn't take the card because it wasn't "chipped". Hey Ho!