Travel to Europe - money questions

[wdfifteen]

When I was last in France 15 months ago I was having problems with my stripe-only credit card. France was heavily chip&pin only then, and I'm sure it's worse now. I now have an AMEX card with a chip, but AMEX does not issue pins. AMEX customer service says all of the Euro zone will now take a chip card and signature. True?

Also, I usually try to spend down my Euros so I come home Euro-broke, but the last time I ended up in Cincinnati with about $300 Euros in my pocket. I got REAMED on the exchange rate. So if I get caught with a bunch of Euros again, what is the best way to exchange them once I'm back home here in the corn fields?

[motion]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

When I was last in France 15 months ago I was having problems with my stripe-only credit card. France was heavily chip&pin only then, and I'm sure it's worse now. I now have an AMEX card with a chip, but AMEX does not issue pins. AMEX customer service says all of the Euro zone will now take a chip card and signature. True?

Also, I usually try to spend down my Euros so I come home Euro-broke, but the last time I ended up in Cincinnati with about $300 Euros in my pocket. I got REAMED on the exchange rate. So if I get caught with a bunch of Euros again, what is the best way to exchange them once I'm back home here in the corn fields?

Your chip & sig cards will not work at self-serve petrol stations in France. Its a huge problem. I end up begging people to use their card, and I pay them in euros, along with a little extra. Its happened to me a bunch of times. If you're on major toll roads, it won't be a problem, as the petrol stations have an attendant inside, and your card will work fine. I used my chip & sig cards at stores, restaurants, hotels, etc all over France and Europe without issue.

If you're stuck with extra euros, just hang onto them until the next time you go back. They might lose 10% at the most. Or, they could gain 10%.

[jorian]

Not sure about "all of the EU accepting chip/pin. I was there last summer and many places took cash only and had old style CC readers. Chip and tap readers are more expensive for the merchant so not every establishment is up to date. YMMV. If you have left over Euros on your return you might try your to exchange at your home airport. Usually better than the bank.

[LakeCleElum]

Richard is right. Usually chip/signature works; not always. I always take at least 2 different cards when traveling abroad (in case problem with one), so get a 2nd one with chip/pin.

I get Euros from ATM in when there, usually the max they give out at one time is $250 to $400 Euro....I plan it so I don't come home with much.....Near the end of the trip, I spend what's left on fuel, beer, meals and get to the airport almost broke.

[MRM]

One way to minimize having to handle foreign currency is to combine a no foreign exchange fee card with a no foreign exchange fee cash card. Several free credit cards offer no fx fees and the exchange rate you get for a credit card purchase is the best possible because you're getting Visa/Amex's exchange rate. For walking around money you need a no fee/no fx cash card. Charles Schwab will allow you to open a simple account with them and they give you a cash card. You can use it anywhere in Europe to withdraw cash from your account from any ATM without fx fees and they pay the ATM fee if there is one. That way you only take out what you need for walking around money each day.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

I get Euros from ATM in when there, usually the max they give out at one time is $250 to $400 Euro....I plan it so I don't come home with much.....Near the end of the trip, I spend what's left on fuel, beer, meals and get to the airport almost broke.

That's my usual strategy. It didn't work out last time.

[creaturecat]

you guys do not have chipped debit cards down there?
the highway toll machines can certainly be pretty finicky. we always carry enough change to feed them.

[pavegeno]

Been in Germany 18 months. I have chip/pin on all my cards. Have only had to enter a pin once or twice the whole time which I think is weird. Most still get your signature. I use travel cards with no foreign transaction fee. Been to 10 or more European countries and most are the same. I usually go light on ATM withdrawals...enough for a day or two when in other countries. Any non-Euros I have left over I use to pay down the hotel bill so I leave with almost no host nation currency. Strangest thing is that there are several McDonalds on the Autobahn that only take a debit/credit card from a German bank so always have Euros. Many places outside of cities are mostly still Euros only so keep them on you.

[Icemaster]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

That's my usual strategy. It didn't work out last time.

I'm usually going back at some point within 12 mos, I just hang onto the Eu or Lb notes. They hang out in the back of my passport. My wife took our kids leftover euros after his trip to Germany to 5/3, they were very light on the exchange fee. Never use the exchanges in the airport, they don't use KY and you wont get a reach around.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

When I was last in France 15 months ago I was having problems with my stripe-only credit card. France was heavily chip&pin only then, and I'm sure it's worse now. I now have an AMEX card with a chip, but AMEX does not issue pins. AMEX customer service says all of the Euro zone will now take a chip card and signature. True?

Also, I usually try to spend down my Euros so I come home Euro-broke, but the last time I ended up in Cincinnati with about $300 Euros in my pocket. I got REAMED on the exchange rate. So if I get caught with a bunch of Euros again, what is the best way to exchange them once I'm back home here in the corn fields?

We had once place here in Barcelona ask for ID to use a chip card and a signature.

As far as your excess Euros, I'm here to help you...just send them to me.

[Rick Lee]

Gawd, I almost ended up walking to Aachen when I couldn't find a manned gas station in Belgium and none of the unmanned stations would take my PIN. I don't know how to do it, other than to have multiple cards and plenty of cash on hand at all times.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

Richard is right. Usually chip/signature works; not always. I always take at least 2 different cards when traveling abroad (in case problem with one), so get a 2nd one with chip/pin.

I get Euros from ATM in when there, usually the max they give out at one time is $250 to $400 Euro....I plan it so I don't come home with much.....Near the end of the trip, I spend what's left on fuel, beer, meals and get to the airport almost broke.

This is what I do too.