Obtaining a Chip & Pin Credit Card - My Experience

[maryann ns]

In Canada if the card has to be swiped for some reason, then we sign. Otherwise it is the PIN, and yes we have the wave thing too. It is for small transactions. I make a point of checking my account online frequently to see if there are bogus charges. There have not been for many years.

[Omega1]

Belated Happy Birthday Lew.

Roger & Val

[-Lew-]

 

Belated Happy Birthday Lew.

Hello Roger & Val...

 

Thank you for your kind wishes. I had a wonderful birthday. :)

 

Nan and I look forward to cruising with you once again. I guess we'll both just have to book as many cruises as we possibly can in hopes that happens again some day.

 

Warm regards,

 

Lew

[cruisemom42]

Chip and signature. What a missed opportunity for Citibank and for travelers!

 

We didn't pay a penny to acquire the new cards so the bank has spent a fortune rolling out new cards that offer no benefit whatsoever. For free, Citibank's marketing department could have spent one week reading the posts on Cruise Critic to realize chip and signature is not a card with any appeal to travelers in Europe.

 

We've never had a problem with a swipe card in Europe as long as a human was handling the transaction. The only problem that needed to be solved is one this new card still doesn't solve!

 

Bottom line: If you're looking for a card to deal with unattended parking, toll booths, and train ticket machines, keep on looking. Citibank does not yet offer the right kind of card.

 

I thought as much...I had looked into that one.

 

I had a similar disappointment a year ago with another bank's card -- they were very adamant over the phone that it was chip and pin, although the website was vague on the "pin" part. Sure enough, it was chip and signature. Doesn't help me at all so it was cancelled....

 

I do plan to apply for one of the cards Lew got before my next European trip.

[-Lew-]

If anyone does get an Andrews VISA and has issues viewing their account online, post here and I'll outline the procedure. It's a bit different than other credit card accounts I access online.

 

Lew

 

Posted from my iPad Mini

[dalgirl]

Having a few issues getting the credit union form completed - very frustrating. And Chase may have the chip/pin (we have 2 Chase accts and neither has that), but I do know there is a transaction fee - more important than the pin is no transaction fees - that is why we keep the Cap One cc without the pin.

[-Lew-]

 

Having a few issues getting the credit union form completed - very frustrating. And Chase may have the chip/pin (we have 2 Chase accts and neither has that), but I do know there is a transaction fee - more important than the pin is no transaction fees - that is why we keep the Cap One cc without the pin.

I had no issues completing the online application. Perhaps you should try a different web browser.

 

Be careful with Chase or JP Morgan cards as they are likely chip & signature cards.

 

Lew

[4774Papa]

We have been all over Europe and found no problems with regular visa or mastercard. Amex is not taken as much, but still can be used in some places.

Only exceptions, purchasing gas at the pump or purchasing a rail ticket at a machine kiosk.

[TMLAalum]

We have been all over Europe and found no problems with regular visa or mastercard. Amex is not taken as much, but still can be used in some places.

Only exceptions, purchasing gas at the pump or purchasing a rail ticket at a machine kiosk.

 

Those exceptions can cause major frustration. Toll motorways also require chip/pin cc's (or cash). We spend time in Europe pre-post cruise and have had issues with the RER in Paris, the toll road from Paris to Auvergne, the Brussels metro, unmanned gas station near CDG (that was quite a harrowing adventure running on empty and trying to return our rental car by deadline) and a restaurant in Montlucon FR- to recall just a few instances.

 

If you are cruising only, you'll likely be fine without a chip/pin, but if venturing elsewhere in Europe it would be better to travel with one. Wake up US cc companies:(!!

Edited June 17, 2013 by TMLAalum

[Langoustine]

We have a two accounts with Citibank: MasterCard and American Express. Recently, we received an offer from our MasterCard account for a "Chip card" with a cover letter that said "it would work in Europe." The wording of the offer did not explicitly state "chip and pin" or "chip and signature" -- an important distinction. Thinking positively, we signed up for the new card. When we asked about a similar card for our Citibank AMEX, we were told the new type of card was only being offered to Platinum Select World MasterCard (or something like that) holders, not to AMEX holders.

 

Until we get the card in our hands, I can't tell you whether or not these are true European chip and pin card. The cards should arrive very soon. Stay tuned.

 

I have the M/C one from Chase; it's chip and signature. I called customer service to ask about a true chip and pin card and they had no idea what I was talking about. All they kept repeating was "It will work in Europe." Well, not where I need to use it the most...

Edited June 17, 2013 by Langoustine

[dalgirl]

Finally realized why I was having application issues - froze my credit a few year ago to safe guard against ID theft - and also from myself;) Now where did I put that info on getting it "unfrozen???" Anyone know if you have to unfreeze all three reporting agencies, or only one?

 

Sigh....

[-Lew-]

 

Anyone know if you have to unfreeze all three reporting agencies, or only one?

They checked only Experian when I applied.

 

Lew

 

Posted from my iPad Mini

[RockeyBullwinkle]

my daughter works for chase at the corp hq and they do NOT have a chip & pin card.

[Hlitner]

Lew, Having some fun with the Anderson folks. We followed your lead but noticed that they have credit limits up to $50,000 which is pretty high for Visa/MC. So of course we asked for the max just to see what they would do. Got an e-mail the following day asking for income verification and tax returns :). Still waiting for the card (and the credit limit) but we did get our PIN today.

 

Hank

[-Lew-]

 

Lew, Having some fun with the Anderson folks. We followed your lead but noticed that they have credit limits up to $50,000 which is pretty high for Visa/MC. So of course we asked for the max just to see what they would do. Got an e-mail the following day asking for income verification and tax returns :). Still waiting for the card (and the credit limit) but we did get our PIN today.

Hi Hank…

 

Yeah, I requested a high limit too and they asked for backup data. They said they'd okay a $7,500 limit right away with no additional info, so I took it. With that and my Cap1 card I'll have more than enough.

 

One thing they don't tell you is how to logon to your VISA account online. Let me know if you need instructions.

 

Also, you need to create a verbal password to use if you need to discuss your account over the phone. Again no instructions.

 

Lew

 

Posted from my iPad Mini

[dalgirl]

Lew, Having some fun with the Anderson folks. We followed your lead but noticed that they have credit limits up to $50,000 which is pretty high for Visa/MC. So of course we asked for the max just to see what they would do. Got an e-mail the following day asking for income verification and tax returns :). Still waiting for the card (and the credit limit) but we did get our PIN today.

 

Hank

 

Hank you finally got that pin - I think I have been waiting for this almost as long as you! I think DH would prefer a credit limit of $100 - I, of course, prefer the max too:p

 

Thanks for the info Lew, I will contact Experian - what we won't do to avoid any slowdowns in our travels:)

[Hlitner]

Well, we are still waiting for the card and have no clue as to what credit limit the Gods shall grant. But from our point of view a true Chip/PIN card is like the holy grail of travel cards. For anyone who routinely rents cars in Europe...and Chip/PIN is close to becoming a necessity.

 

Hank

[Canada Geese]

My Visa and Debit cards are both chip and pin. Was in the US Southwestlast month and stunned I had to sign the Visa slip. We also have the tap the card for purchases under $50. Easy. Peasy. Canadian banks are RBC, CIBC, Scotiabank, TD. Many with US branches although they may not offer the chip and pin. Have had them for almost 3 years now. Usually take Euros when we travel to Europe.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Canada Geese

[llarsen]

I just got my chip and pin card from Bank of America.

[-Lew-]

 

I just got my chip and pin card from Bank of America.

Are you sure it's a Chip & Pin and not a Chip & Signature card? I ask because I see no mention of Chip & Pin on the BOA website.

 

There is a FAQ on the BOA site that discusses their chip card here. Here's a quote from that FAQ:

 

How does a chip card work?

 

Make purchases by inserting your chip card into the chip-enabled merchant terminal. You will be asked for a signature to complete most purchases. Account details are stored securely on the chip and passed to the merchant terminal during a purchase. When chip-enabled merchant terminals are not available, the magnetic stripe on the back of the plastic can be swiped instead.

 

Did BOA send you a PIN to use with your card? This can't be a PIN you chose after receiving the card because it needs to be embedded in the chip before the card is sent to you.

 

If you really do have a Chip & Pin card, great! I just wouldn't want you heading over to Europe thinking you had one if you didn't.

 

Lew

[Hlitner]

My Visa and Debit cards are both chip and pin. Was in the US Southwestlast month and stunned I had to sign the Visa slip. We also have the tap the card for purchases under $50. Easy. Peasy. Canadian banks are RBC, CIBC, Scotiabank, TD. Many with US branches although they may not offer the chip and pin. Have had them for almost 3 years now. Usually take Euros when we travel to Europe.

 

Well, you would be stunned nearly every day if you tried using a Chip/PIN anywhere in the US. Very few places have the upgraded card readers to handle the Chip/PIN system and there is a lot of resistance by Visa/MC to change over in the US. With hundreds of millions of terminals...they do not want to go through the expense. The good news is that you can still use your card....but will just have to sign.

 

Hank

[aliwanders]

I have an American RBC card (RBC has branches down here...) and it is NOT a chip&pin card but a regular old credit card :(

[Charles4515]

Well, you would be stunned nearly every day if you tried using a Chip/PIN anywhere in the US. Very few places have the upgraded card readers to handle the Chip/PIN system and there is a lot of resistance by Visa/MC to change over in the US. With hundreds of millions of terminals...they do not want to go through the expense. The good news is that you can still use your card....but will just have to sign.

 

Hank

 

The merchants don't want to go to the expense of new terminals and the card issuers don't want to go to the expense when terminals won't accept them. In that context chip and pin cards would only be for the convenience of those of us who are world travelers. Unfortunately we are a minority of US card users.

[-Lew-]

 

The merchants don't want to go to the expense of new terminals and the card issuers don't want to go to the expense when terminals won't accept them. In that context chip and pin cards would only be for the convenience of those of us who are world travelers. Unfortunately we are a minority of US card users.

I disagree...

 

How does one account for nearly 100% participation in Europe and Canada? VISA and Mastercard are the major issuers of credit cards there also.

 

As for the expense incurred when a terminal won't accept a swiped card, as a business owner for 25 years, I can tell you the business bears the additional expense of securing approval...not the issuer or the financial institution.

 

Lew

[Canada Geese]

Just to reply to -Lew-'s comment that the pin gets imbedded in the chip. Not mine. Just like the black stripe on the back of cards, it only contains the account info. When you insert the chip into the reader it connects to your bank and then when you enter your Pin it is encrypted and sent to the bank system to verify you are using the card and not someone else who has just stolen your card and fakes your signature (happened to me to the tune of $1000!).

 

I am sure the reason that the US is not jumping on board is the cost of the terminals. I guess it is cheaper to pay for the fraudulent purchases than to replace the terminals. I will say it is a pain in the butt to use the Chip/Pin card at the gas station. I have to contort to hide my pin from prying eyes.

 

I do know that there are scanners that are able to pick up the info on the chip. Without the pin it isn't useful, although 50% of the time people do not cover the terminal when entering their pin. All this to say, I hope you don't have any problems in Europe without the Chip/pin cards. Good luck!

Edited June 19, 2013 by Canada Geese