The requiring of PINs for credit card transactions varies wildly geographically. For example, credit cards issued in Canada, including by Amex, are all chip-and-PIN enabled. Swiping cards hasn't been a thing in Canada for a decade or more. In most Canadian transaction settings (stores, restaurants, etc.), employees never even touch customer cards. Instead, they present a credit card terminal and the customer is prompted to insert their card and enter their PIN. It's generally the same experience in Europe. By contrast, whenever I travel in the US and use my Canadian cards, they almost always swipe them and ask for a signature (almost never prompt for PIN). So whoever told you you will need to use the PIN to buy anything wasn't giving you complete information.