Originally Posted by JEFFJAGUAR

The kiosks on the London Underground most assuredly take the archaic American magnetic strip cards as do the main line railroad kiosks.

In Paris, the kiosks run by RATP, the local Paris transit authority most assuredly do take the archaic American cards. However, the kiosks run by SNCF say at CDG for the RER trip into centre-ville (downtown) most assuredly do not.

I have yet to come across a situation in London where one could not use the archaic American cards. Paris is pretty good that way too.

Now, however, try to use your archaic American card in the Netherlands and you will be up the creek without a paddle (or usable credit card which is not chip and pin).