Anyone Used Their Credit Card In France?

ChloeRadshaw

I have received my credit card today and fly out tomorrow 0 The card is activated but my pin will be sent in a seperate post.

If I use my card abroad in France will I need my chip and pin number or is it just signature based?

nomoneytoday

Depends on the shop - same as in the UK

ChloeRadshaw

nomoneytoday wrote: »

Depends on the shop - same as in the UK

Not sure I understand - What shop in the UK does not force you to use chip and pin?

riad_2

It's pretty much all Chip n Pin over there mate.

withnell

ChloeRadshaw wrote: »

Not sure I understand - What shop in the UK does not force you to use chip and pin?

Many you can ask to sign in - just tell them you forgot your PIN!

CG19a

Don't think it will work over there. France has had a chip and pin equivalent for about 10 years before we even got it here.

mab2000

ChloeRadshaw wrote: »

Not sure I understand - What shop in the UK does not force you to use chip and pin?

There was 1 shop that wasn't set up with chip and pin i purchased from fairly recently, not an independent but not a huge chain store. But can i remember the name? No.

There may be a chance (probably small) that your card provider will refuse transactions you make in France because of security checks. As you haven't used the card before, they may panic that it may not be you using the card. Maybe worth contacting your card provider saying you may be using your card in France.

mrtg0525

ChloeRadshaw wrote: »

I have received my credit card today and fly out tomorrow 0 The card is activated but my pin will be sent in a seperate post.

If I use my card abroad in France will I need my chip and pin number or is it just signature based?

Most likely you will, even though they are used to foreign cards not working with their C&P system so you might get away without a pin. Most recent UK cards will work with C&P in France so I'm not sure if they will let you sign instead.

chriskross

CG19a wrote: »

Don't think it will work over there. France has had a chip and pin equivalent for about 10 years before we even got it here.

I have been using cards in France with my PIN for at least 2 years. Very occasionally you get asked for a signature. They don't always realise that UK cards work with PINs, and sometimes they swipe the cards. Depending on the terminal that might not work. I've had to tell some to try it with the chip, and voilà! it worked.

Not usually a problem in supermarkets, where you insert the card yourself. Beware that some terminals may then ask you to select your language. Not a major problem, but look out for those that offer to perform the transaction in pounds rather than euros. Choose euros every time!

Chris