America has finally added the “chip” technology that Europe
has had for many years with credit cards.
However, in America we don’t need a “PIN” unless we’re using our credit
card in an ATM. That’s not true in Europe,
where every transaction with a “chip” card requires inputting a pin to complete
the transaction.
Well, I didn’t think about that before leaving. When I traveled last year on my around the
world cruise, none of my cards had a “chip.”
They would “swipe” the card and require a signature.
Things now are different since we have cards with those
chips. My first transaction at a
restaurant in Amsterdam I had to use some of my few Euros because they couldn’t
take my credit card. No PIN, no
transaction.
I was able to create (or update) a PIN for one of my credit
cards when I returned to my hotel via the bank website. Thank you
Barclays Bank (my American Airlines card)! I brought only three credit cards, and you can’t
create a PIN number online with two of them.
I do, however, have my ATM card and I notified the bank of my trip. So, I am covered now for any local shopping
transactions.
American Express has a tagline “don’t leave home without it.” I believe it should be updated for those
traveling abroad… “PIN Numbers: Don’t
leave home without one.”
I will leaving for the cruise terminal shortly. I think I have enough Euros for the cab ride,
but I may try out my new PIN number by making it a credit card transaction.
