American visitors card without chip

tynycoed

I am visiting my famiy in England. My US card is not accepted by cash machines here. Is it because it isn't chipped? Can I use it in a bank?

Ebe_Scrooge

What card is it - Debit or Credit ? What brand is it ? If it's a "global" brand like Visa or Mastercard then you will be able to use it in a bank, but if it's some sort of US-only brand then I doubt you'll be able to use it. Be aware that if you're withdrawing cash from a credit card then this can incur some pretty hefty fees and interest.

reclusive46

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

What card is it - Debit or Credit ? What brand is it ? If it's a "global" brand like Visa or Mastercard then you will be able to use it in a bank, but if it's some sort of US-only brand then I doubt you'll be able to use it. Be aware that if you're withdrawing cash from a credit card then this can incur some pretty hefty fees and interest.

Some of the US debit networks also have a partnership with link.

Sounds more like a problem with your card anyway, best to call your bank as they may have put a fraud block on your card.

20aday

I don't know who you hold your account with (is it a credit card or checking account?) but if your card displays either the Plus or Cirrus logo on the back of the card you *may* be able to withdraw cash over the counter.

I can't imagine a lack of a Chip being the problem; I work in Retail and I've swiped plenty of US cards (American Express, Chase Bank) and they've never been declined.

System

Cirrus / Plus are ATM networks.

What other logos does the card have?
Does it have a 4 digit PIN?

20aday wrote: »

I don't know who you hold your account with (is it a credit card or checking account?) but if your card displays either the Plus or Cirrus logo on the back of the card you *may* be able to withdraw cash over the counter.

Mrs_pbradley936

This happened to a friend of ours - but they were able to go into a bank with ID and speak to a real person and they were able to draw from a debit card.

They got off a ship and were only in the UK for a couple of days and you cannot easily get Sterling from American banks so they did not bring any with them. Hotels an restaurants are easy but you still need a bit of cash.

cheesetoast

Best advice is this - bring multiple forms of payment, just in case. As a worst case scenario, have the phone number of your bank, so you can call up and do a wire transfer to your family over here, and get them to withdraw the money from their bank.

robber2

With a name like that are you sure you are not visiting family in Wales :-)