Calling Everyone with an Amex Card

isasmurf

The following is taken from the American Express website

American Express started issuing Chip and PIN cards mid 2005. This is gradually being phased in on a product by product basis linked to card expiry dates. You do not have to do anything now. We will contact you in advance of sending you a Chip and PIN enabled card.

Can I continue to sign for purchases with my card after Valentines Day 2006?

If you have a Chip and PIN card you should expect to use your PIN after PIN Day when making purchases. If you do not know your PIN your card may be declined or the retailer may refuse to accept your card. Please contact Customer Services if you would like to be sent a reminder of your PIN.

If your card is NOT Chip and PIN enabled you can continue to sign for purchases after February 2006 and beyond.

I have been told by staff in shops that they will not accept my American Express card without a PIN

This is not true.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE YOUR EXISTING CARD AND CONTINUE TO SIGN AS NORMAL IN ALL SHOPS THAT ACCEPT THE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD - EVEN IF THEY HAVE UPGRADED TO THE NEW CHIP AND PIN TECHNOLOGY.

Longer explanation and more Chip and PIN FAQs on AmEx site

eagle

JohalaReewi wrote:

My first Amex Blue had a chip but no PIN. I recently switched to Amex Platinum and that came with a chip and a PIN and it works

It does look like Amex only hand out chip & PIN cards when they have to reissue them. Could be a lot of lost Amex cards soon.

Weird. My first Amex was the blue and was a Chip & Signature card as you say. I'm now also on Amex Platinum and there is not even a chip on it - it's just a signature card! In fact last time I looked on their web site, the Platinum (credit) card is pictured without a chip. Would be interesting to see what it looks like with a chip.

bootman

I'm quite happy not to be chip and pin. Had a few shops where the card goes through with the machine that has to be pulled over the card and voucher slip. 2 still have not been debited from my account. Several months ago as well now!

eagle

bootman wrote:

I'm quite happy not to be chip and pin. Had a few shops where the card goes through with the machine that has to be pulled over the card and voucher slip. 2 still have not been debited from my account. Several months ago as well now!

Yikes, I take it these were small retailers?

I am only for chip and pin on the basis of speed - it's much quicker to put a PIN in my opinion than sit there and wait for the checkout operator to verify your signature, ask you for proof of signature sometimes (it happened to me before Christmas at WHSmith!), etc.

Anyway, not meaning to start an off-topic discussion here, but for what it's worth, I don't think this will cut card fraud in the long run. It may do so now but not for more than, say, five years. It seems that crime catches up no matter what we do. I mean, how long will it be before thieves start to hold people up at knife/gun point asking you for your PIN and wallet?