US Credit Card

Netod2

Hi. Me and my family are coming to the UK on holiday and I was wondering how accepted none-chipped cards are? Do most chip and pin machines still have a swiper on the side? Also I have a Visa but my Amex has no foreign transaction fee, how widely accepted is American Express in the UK? I'm only really worried about Supermarkets, Gas and restaurants.

Thanks

Todd

guesswho2000

All systems revert to signature (from my experience) when the chip isn't detected. I still occasionally get asked to sign with chip cards too.

Amex is widely accepted, all major supermarkets and petrol stations take it, and most restaurants will too I expect

catieeb06

Most places that accept cards will have something on the wall or the door or near the till (counter) and these will tell you what is accepted.

Most major petrol stations should accept Amex but in the independent stations you might struggle so I suggest sticking to places like BP, Shell and the supermarket stations.

I do suggest bringing your spare card along with you just in case.

reclusive46

Regarding swipe cards, practically all manned terminals can take them, some of the supermarket petrol pay at pumps and train ticket machines often can't read magstripes. Most pin terminals have a swiper on the side or the top.

trikidy

Certain shops will not swipe a card under any circumstance, I know the Co Op is one for example. But I would imagine the bigger stores like Tesco would.

Plxply

trikidy wrote: »

Certain shops will not swipe a card under any circumstance, I know the Co Op is one for example. But I would imagine the bigger stores like Tesco would.

You'll find that it violates their agreement with their agreement with the merchant acquirer, as Visa and Mastercard have a accept all cards policy. In my experience you will experience problems with clueless attendants who don't know to handle swipe cards, yes I have heard over a radio "The customer only has swipe cards, what do I do?" with the reply being "Swipe it".

Expect more "strict" screening of the card itself in that they will actually check the signature and also any of the other anti-fraud features that are featured on the card.

pvt

trikidy wrote: »

Certain shops will not swipe a card under any circumstance, I know the Co Op is one for example. But I would imagine the bigger stores like Tesco would.

Are you sure that is not a rule that says they will not swipe a card that has a chip n PIN chip on it? I am fairly sure most retailers (though not all I agree) will swipe a card if there is no alternative?

Dunree

Carry your passport/ID card with you as well. Some places may want to see extra proof of who you are rather than trust a signature alone.

And enjoy your stay

pvt

Todd,

You may find this thread useful:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/469

It's a list who does and who doesn't accept AmEx in the UK. It is probably impractical to expect to get by in Europe for any length of time with only an AmEx card, you really do need either a Visa or Mastercard as well - they're both pretty universally accepted.

Rav3n

It's against the merchant agreement to swipe a chip and pin card but not if the card doesn't have a chip. You will probably face some difficulty as most tills are manned by teenagers who have never seen a non chip and pin card before.

You will also have trouble paying for petrol at unmanned stations, or buying tram/train tickets at machines as these only accept chip and pin cards.

Lovelyjoolz

A friend of mine visiting from the US last year had no trouble at all with swiping her Visa in Tesco and high street stores. Even Caerphilly Castle visitor centre was happy to swipe it!

She didn't have an Amex card. Most places do take them, but definitely bring your Visa too, in case.