Originally Posted by
TravelDoorsOut
Can't you just use a debit card? My Schwab card reimburses all ATM fees worldwide and has a chip and pin. That should work... it did in Iceland where gas stations only accept pin cards.
It should work. I don't use debit cards (other than for the ATM function), so I can't confirm from personal experience. It will certainly work in an ATM, which is how I always get local currency when I travel -- use my bank card in a bank ATM and get cash at the best exchange rate.
But for hotels and restaurants, I think you'd want to use a credit card right? Might as well earn the points, as long as you have no foreign transaction fees. It's truly, truly, truly not an inconvenience at all to use a chip & signature card in Europe. Sure you have to sign the paper, but you do that at home anyway right?