Using credit cards in Europe?

In the past I have always used my credit card in Europe because it's easier than changing money or using travelers checks.

I haven't been to Europe in a while, but DH said he read that the credit card companies charge you interest on the charges from the first day. This doesn't sound right to me...I never remember that happening before.

Anyone know the deal?

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

I'm leaving for Europe in a few weeks and I just went to my bank to talk to them about using my ATM card there.

I can withdraw $500 from an ATM per day (24 hour period) and $2,500 in store purchases. The bank charges a 1% fee. I must also call them to let them know where I am going and how long i will be there so they can alert my account.

I will be calling my credit card companies to see what they will be charging as well.

HTH!

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

Be very careful in shops, many parts of Europe now have a chip and pin system, and if you have a card without a chip in it, you may have to sign, or it may be refused full stop. In my experience, American Express isn't accepted widely either.

My sister came to visit me earlier this year and she had terrible trouble using her card here, when she got home she also had double charges.

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

DH handles most of this, but I know a little. We were in Ireland in April. We use the Capital One credit card, they charge the least, or no extra fees for use overseas. Whenever we charged anything, we were specific to have them charge in Euros. (the shops/ hotels use a higher exchange rate than the credit card company) One hotel charged in US, we disputed the charge and got a credit of over 75.00 just due to the exchange rate. It was around 1.55 when we were there, the hotel used 1.61. We did not have any problems using that credit card anywhere we went. DH also went to London for a few days and did the same in Pounds, and also did not have any problems.

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

Yes! This is very true. We go abroad few times a year and using a credit card has become completely "not worth it".

Each card is different, whether it be a % "exchange fee", a ridiculous exchange rate, or even considering it a "cash advance" and slapping on the ridiculous fees taht come with that.

When we go to Europe/Asia/etc. now we just use cash from ATMs.

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

most credit cards will charge at least a 3% fee for each charge... so for each $1.00 spent it's 3 cents. it adds up especially when it's a large purchase. some cards charge up to 10%. also, i would recommend calling them up before you leave and mention you're traveling. otherwise, they may put a lock on the card thinking someone else is using it fraudently.

in my experience, the best way to do it is to go to an ATM and take out as much cash as you can so there is only one fee.

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

AAA has euro cards that are debitcards (instead of travelers checks)

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

I can tell you from what Rach posted, if you want to use your ccard, make sure you have chip & pin.
My Amex blue has it but my other cards didn't, esp. my atm card & at some atms in the UK, I wasn't able to withdraw cash.

Of course I wanted to use my cards to get the best rate possible.
If they didn't take the card b/c I didn't have chip & pin, I asked the manager and they took it.

Any questions, let me know.

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

I like taking my CC and ATM card. I find it to be the cheapest. The fees are lower than doing currency exchange.

Make sure you know your pin of your CC not just ATM. Some stores will ask you to enter it on the keypad of the swap machine. Like if it was an ATM card.

Amex CC is not your best choice. They are not accepted everywhere.

Visa and Mastercard are best.

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

Good tips
I take both kinds of cards & my ATM card.

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

Re: Using credit cards in Europe?

Capital One Bank and their cc's do NOT charge a "conversion" fee. every other bank does.

bet. my dh and I, we have a debit or credit cards at virtually every bank and Cap 1 was the ONLY one.

I refused to pay an extra bank fee, soo

before my trip I opened a Capital One bank acct (already had a cc there) and we used that to fund ALL purchases.

as far as I know, AMEX is the only other cc company that does not charge these fees but they are not accepted everywhere.

I just looked at my bank statement and true to their claim, Cap 1 only charged me the $1.50 atm withdrawal fee.

every other bank would have charged their withdrawal fee, PLUS either 1 or 2 % conversion fee.

we spent over $4000 on this trip. so we saved more than $40 for the time it took me to open an acct.

Message edited 7/15/2008 10:21:49 AM.