During our current visit to France and Germany we have found that our credit cards seldom worked. Thankfully, we have not had a problem at hotels or buying train tickets. But, at all other places our card has been rejected.
We were rejected at McDonalds, grocery stores, and department stores. Although we were able to get cash from ATM machines to cover our needs, it has been inconvenient and there is no record of our purchases. Further, it eliminates a way to track your total expenses.
In my opinion, Visa, MasterCard and the other credit card companies are missing the boat with their failure to require this new security on cards issued in the U.S.
First, by restricting the use of their cards for technology reasons, they are missing out a considerable revenue. Secondly, increased security could reduce future fraud. Lastly, better service may attract new customers and improve customer loyalty.
In a global economy, it is time for universal credit cards.
UPDATE: MAY 12, 2015
After investigating further, I have found that some credit cards issued in the US now have the security chip on them. Others are in the process of updating cards to incorporate this new security platform.
During our recent trip I discovered by accident that my back-up card from a different company already had the chip on it. I handed my primary card to the clerk of the hotel we were checking out of in Tours, France. She put it in her machine. It was declined. I handed her my back-up card to see if it would work. Wo La, it worked. It was then that I noticed the little gold chip on the front of the my secondary card. There was none on my primary card. At that point, I started noticing the different kind of credit card machines.
We found that some vendors in France had machines that would accept cards with or without the chip. If their machine had a slot for the chip card and also a place to swipe a card, they could use either type of card. However, most machines were only equipped to handle cards with chips.
I called my primary credit card company when I returned home to see if I could get my card upgraded. Their answer was maybe, depending on the type of card I had. After checking, the customer service person informed me the type of card I have is suppose to be upgraded by the end of 2015. If I chose, I could get a card with a chip now by signing up for a new card with different benefits. I declined because I like the card I have.
So, if you are traveling to Europe in the near future, check you credit cards to see if any have the new security chip. If not, be prepared to make multiple trips to an ATM for cash. Restaurants, grocery stores, department stores, and some hotels require a card with a chip.
Bon Voyage.