Chip and pin in USA

Gemma182

Hi there,

I'm off to Los Angeles at the end of august and normally I'd take cash on holiday but I'm thinking I'd like to just carry my debit/credit card on me.

Do they use chip and pin now or is it signature only?

I searched the forum to see if I could find answers first and someone did ask the same question but it was in 2006 they asked so I'm wondering if there is any change.

Thanks very much

Gemma

dblue75

1. Does it really matter ??? as long as your card is accepted it will be fine.
2. Depends where you use the card, some will chip n pin others you sign an electronic screen.
3. Remember to tell your bank so you can TRY and avoid the hassle of your card blocking abroad. I told mine and it still blocked. Had to call the UK to get it re-activated. Takes 24 hours by the way !!! That was with RBS so be aware.

lorilouise

Hi I use my card lots of time in Florida and did ask this question in the shop and the reply was that you sign all the time. There seemingly the only very odd time that you chip and pin.

Hope this helps.

torbrex

I have travelled extensively in America and have yet to use chip & pin over there, it is always swip & sign or in some cases such as prepay petrol pumps, not even sign.

Gemma182

Thanks very much. I was asking as someone was giving me their credit card to take with me incase of emergency and I can use theirs, but it's not in my name obviously. So signature would be different.

Thanks very much for all your help with this

McAzrael

The last couple of times I've been to California some places have asked to see my driving licence because my card does not have my photo on it. If you hurry you've probably still got time to get your own card.

Indout96

Been to most states and never seen chip & pin.
But one thing we have encountered in petrol stations is you have to put your ZIP code in before you can use your card at the pump so you will not be able to use it there - you can still pay in the shop, just not at the pump.
One of the things you will see is the swipe your own card & sign on a small glass screen, god knows how they work as your signature will not even look right to you they are so hard to write on LOL

You can also use your bank card to draw money out of the hole in the wall machines just like over here, if you use ones in shopping malls they are quite often free but your bank MAY charge a fee for withdrawal abroad.

Mestro (SP??) and Visa debit (rather than credit cards) are not accepted everywhere in shops, some accept them some dont

I am not sure about using someone elses card, I can see that being a problem,

dq1967

Just back from Florida. No stores were chip and pin, all either signing a slip or a screen on the card reader. Sometimes the readers will give you a choice of Debit or Credit card when swiped. Usually you need to select credit, even if it's a UK debit card.

have fun,

dq

alwaysonthego_2

dq1967 wrote: »

Just back from Florida. No stores were chip and pin, all either signing a slip or a screen on the card reader. Sometimes the readers will give you a choice of Debit or Credit card when swiped. Usually you need to select credit, even if it's a UK debit card.

have fun,

dq

and they never check the signature :eek:

Also they add tax on the end and it is not included in the price.

Make sure you inform your bank/CC provider you are going abroad so they don't stop your card.

Indout96

Also they add tax on the end and it is not included in the price

Which lets you see just how much the government steals, good job they dont do that here with our tax LOL

Cade_Foster

alwaysonthego wrote: »

and they never check the signature :eek:

But sometimes they ask for ID which would be no good for the OP using someone eses card.