Acceptance in Iceland?
Jun 29, 2011, 9:31 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 13
Acceptance in Iceland?
Planning a trip to Iceland in the coming months. Is the Amex card widely accepted? I use my Amex pretty exclusively so if I have to use something else I might have to sign up for something.
I read somewhere that in Europe now companies use a RFID chip to scan cards which my card doesn't have. Is this a must- have?
Anything else I should know?
Thanks!!
I read somewhere that in Europe now companies use a RFID chip to scan cards which my card doesn't have. Is this a must- have?
Anything else I should know?
Thanks!!
Jun 29, 2011, 9:49 am
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
There are two types of chips commonly placed in credit cards. RFID chips are used for "contactless" payment of small transactions. Cards with these chips are available in both the USA and Europe, but the systems are not reliably inter-operative. In other words, a USA RFID chip may not be recognized by a European reader.
More likely you read about the other type of chip called "EMV" which are gradually replacing magnetic stripes. These require the card to be inserted into the reader. EMV cards are not yet used in the USA, but this year a half dozen card issuers have announced cards with EMV for travelers. Please review this thread to understand your options:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...signature.html
Jun 29, 2011, 11:03 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Germany & UK
Posts: 63
I am not sure about Iceland in particular but some stores/restaurants in Europe have problems with taking non-chip cards, in the UK they will often refuse completely while in other countries they will ask for photo ID (e.g. a passport). Therefore if is a good idea to carry it with you if you are planning on using Amex - I had just this problem yesterday.
Jun 29, 2011, 3:33 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 13
Jun 30, 2011, 1:41 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 13
Does anyone have any suggestions on what part of town is best to stay in? We prefer to rent an apartment than a hotel, but anything reasonably walkable would be preferred. We hope to only rent a car for 2-3 days for trips to the interior.
Jul 1, 2011, 10:29 am
#7
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
I suggest you look in Europe section of Flyertalk for discussions of travel in Iceland. There are several recent threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europe-477/
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/europe-477/