Chip & Pin Overseas Refusal

bmpeers

Hello all - first time post, although long time reader.

Currently in the States and using the Lloyds Avios AMEX & MC as main credit cards. Successfully used in big retailers; starbucks, meijer, korger etc..

Went to a small independent restaurant tonight and both the Lloyds AMEX and MC were refused so ended up using my BA AMEX with FX fees (forgot postoffice card!)

Straight on the phone to Lloyds and they said the transaction was refused because the restaurant tried to run the transaction as chip & signature instead of chip & pin (.. I had to use signature with the BA AMEX..) Note with all transactions the manager inserted the card in the bottom of the machine and did not try and swipe.

My question is: did the restaurant actively make a decision to run it as chip & signature, or in reality this is a default of the payment terminal they have been supplied with? No point complaining to the restaurant if its not actually something they can control on the spot.

Would be useful to know for future transactions.
Thanks Brian

jonesMUFCforever

Is there a button on the terminal to say what type of transaction it is?

IMO USA is hit and miss with chip and pin - some places work well others I had to sign but no transactions were declined.

cjmillsnun

Chip and Signature is the default in the US. I don't understand why as Chip and PIN is the more secure method. That said, they only moved away from swiping the mag stripe in terminals 2 years ago and won't shift liability on petrol pumps (meaning that they don't have to be updated to reading the chip on the card) until 2020. They are well over a decade behind us.

dj1471

Chip and signature is very common in the US, many US cards don't support chip and PIN and many readers don't support PIN entry.

I think readers will automatically prompt for a PIN where both the card and reader support it, or ask for a signature where not.

I think it's worth an official complaint with Lloyds, this isn't a valid reason to decline a transaction in the US.

2gorgeousgirls

I'm in US as well and had so much bother with my Halifax clarity card. Worked in Hard Rock Cafe but not in shop even though it was processed the same way. Have spent a ridiculous amount of time on phone to bank who weren't helpful as they said it was the way the retailer was processing it even though I could see it was identical process. Fraud also blocked my card several times as it was an unusual transaction (in US) despite me advising them online before I travelled and also the 6 Times in one week that I've phoned them. Embarrassment and stress I don't need while I'm supposed to be relaxing. I will seriously be considering my financial options before next trip. Ive also had the same pin for several years, it is very memorable to me, there's no way I would key it in wrongly twice resulting in my pin being blocked, yet it was and I have been unable to lift cash. they advised I lift money via western union. I've made it clear in last call that I expect all phone charges, charges incurred on another card As Halifax was blocked again and western union to be reimbursed as well as a goodwill gesture for all the hassle. During my fourth call they said it was declined because they weren't aware I was in US!! Seriously, online notification and 3 previous calls and they still didn't know??? :mad:

eDicky

2gorgeousgirls wrote: »

I'm in US as well and had so much bother with my Halifax clarity card.

The last thing to do is waste time and money calling a financial customer services from overseas. You should never rely on a single card, always have backup, then when one fails for any reason simply abandon it and use the others. I always travel with at least five.

2gorgeousgirls

I do have backup but they incur higher fees so want to use Halifax, they have assured me that excess costs will be reimbursed which I wouldn't get by using backup without contacting them. Am using another card at the moment when Halifax refused. I travel with 4 cards but prefer to use Halifax. However I do regret phoning them so many times. Should have got assurance after second call that charges would be reimbursed but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

bris

Does cash get your hands dirty or something?

eDicky

2gorgeousgirls wrote: »

I do have backup but they incur higher fees so want to use Halifax

Of course, but I meant other fee-free cards for backup, there are prepaid cards that cost nothing and give the same MasterCard rates as Clarity. That's great if Halifax compensate you for calls and fees, please let us know if they do.

eDicky

bris wrote: »

Does cash get your hands dirty or something?

Buying foreign cash is a mug's game, compared to the right cards you lose on exchange then lose again to change back any leftover to pounds.

2gorgeousgirls

Bmpeers - sorry for hijackkng ur thread but hopefully eDicky's advice will be relevant to u too. Hope u got sorted and can enjoy the rest of your trip.

Bris , I lose cash, it's gone, I lose my card, it can be replaced. I don't carry much cash at home, so certainly not going to carry much abroad.

eDicky - I didn't realise the prepaid cards were as good as clarity. Thank you for telling me, can u advise which ones as I have other trips planned and would definitely look at them as an alternative. The other cards I carry for back up are another credit and two debits but am reluctant to use them except in dire emergency.