credit cards

[Stuart620]

going to france again, but does our new chip and pin cards work in same way as in uk

 

[Dusty1]

No, the French have a different system which I understand is not compatable with our system.

 

[robannabid]

Ours worked fine at Easter in major retailers - though I believe the 24 hour fuel pumps won't take them (we didn't try). Has to be said some of the French check out staff were surprised that the PIN worked ok!!

 

[Mike_5041089]

Stuart - we went to Switz at Easter, found the PIN no worked ok there on unmanned 24 hr fuel pumps, but France required an old fashioned signature, even though they've been chip & pinning for years!?

 

[Dusty1]

Daft ain't it. We are all in the EU, France has had the chip & pin technology for years yet years later we have to devise a non-compatable system!

 

[CaptainKangaroo]

Dusty, you have got it wrong. It is France that has the wrong system. The French system is completely different to anywhere else in Europe. They chose not to update to a more advanced system.

 

[Dusty1]

Dusty, you have got it wrong. It is France that has the wrong system. The French system is completely different to anywhere else in Europe. They chose not to update to a more advanced system.

The French must have had chip & pin for 10 years now. We should have followed suit then and presumably would have used the same technology. Instead our banks have chosen to put up with credit card fraud all these years which must have been reflected in their interest and penalty charges to us. Now that they have chosen to use chip & pin and technology has obviously moved on we expect the French to follow suit. Why should they go to all the expense of changing when presumably their system still works for them.

 

[littleangel]

We went to France in March this year, no problems at all with credit card or bank cards. Pin No. worked if requested so did signature too!!! But watch CC's a lot are charging commission now, Frizzell are good though, no commission and a good exchange rate.

 

[Tim2]

No the French system used in shops is different. No problem with cash machines. Nationwide credit cards do not charge commission on foreign transactions. In Summer 2004France, Germany, Austria and Netherlands it was quite acceptable to swipe and sign where pin cards did not work.

Tim

 

[robannabid]

No the French system used in shops is different. No problem with cash machines. Nationwide credit cards do not charge commission on foreign transactions. In Summer 2004France, Germany, Austria and Netherlands it was quite acceptable to swipe and sign where pin cards did not work.

Tim

Our chip and pin DOES work in French shops - we are living proof!