Quote:
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?
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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%.