Confused on PIN and also "Tap"
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
Confused on PIN and also "Tap"
OK folks. I'm getting more confused with the whole PIN thing for using a card as Chip & PIN. I'm going to be spending a good chunk of the Summer going around France and Italy by plane, train, automobile, Metro. Here's my thing:
A couple of years ago, I was told that an actual Chip & PIN card had a hard-coded PIN embedded in it. The "set your own" that are on our US cards isn't the same. All of my Credit Cards and my Debit Card all have 4-digit PINS that I set myself.
I know I can use them in the bancomats - I've used my Debit card over in Europe for a few years. BUT, what about those automated kiosks for tickets, gas, tolls???? Those places where "Sig" isn't possible???
And, to add to it - if I'm able to do "Tap to pay", will I be asked for a PIN sometimes? I've heard rumors about that.
Thanks for helping out an old woman with severe COVID brain!!!
A couple of years ago, I was told that an actual Chip & PIN card had a hard-coded PIN embedded in it. The "set your own" that are on our US cards isn't the same. All of my Credit Cards and my Debit Card all have 4-digit PINS that I set myself.
I know I can use them in the bancomats - I've used my Debit card over in Europe for a few years. BUT, what about those automated kiosks for tickets, gas, tolls???? Those places where "Sig" isn't possible???
And, to add to it - if I'm able to do "Tap to pay", will I be asked for a PIN sometimes? I've heard rumors about that.
Thanks for helping out an old woman with severe COVID brain!!!
#2
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
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USA-issued cards are not all programmed the same. Tell us the names of the card(s) that you plan to use in Europe, and someone will tell you what to expect when you use them.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
Thanks.
I'll be using my AMEX Plat card - newly renewed so it's an "up do date" card
Barclays View Mastercard
Unify FCU Visa
I'll be using my AMEX Plat card - newly renewed so it's an "up do date" card
Barclays View Mastercard
Unify FCU Visa
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
I don't know about Unify but the general rule is if PIN isn't used when inserting, it won't be used for tap either. Even if it were, PIN generally only happens if you exceed the country's contactless limit anyway (or could exceed it, e.g. when using gas pumps). Plus, you can always tap a phone instead to avoid PIN entirely when abroad.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAS, MPL
Programs: DL Platinum, 1 MM
Posts: 1,321
I have encountered several situations in France: on highway toll booths most Visa or MasterCard work, amex is spotty. In stores, Amex is not accepted a lot of times, if it is, they typically want a signature. Visa and mc are pretty much universally accepted, a lot of times the cashier doesn't know what to do with the signature slip that is generated and just throws it away. Some make you sign. At some gas stations none of my US cards worked. So, YMMV.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Exactly where I want to be
Programs: IHG Gold,SPG Gold, HH Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Delta Kettle, AMEX Plat, DL AMEX Plat
Posts: 1,434
Thanks for the replies.
I've been traveling throughout Europe since the early 80s. I know about AMEX. I'm not so worried about brick & mortar places - I can sign. It's the self-service kiosks at the train and metro stations, gas stations, things like that. Last time I was in Rome, I had to find a person in a window at the metro to buy my ticket. I have a VISA CC from my Credit Union that I use as my "just in case" card over there.
Being a Apple Wallet neophyte, good to know I can just tap with the wallet! I just have to see how to put my CU CC on it.
I've been traveling throughout Europe since the early 80s. I know about AMEX. I'm not so worried about brick & mortar places - I can sign. It's the self-service kiosks at the train and metro stations, gas stations, things like that. Last time I was in Rome, I had to find a person in a window at the metro to buy my ticket. I have a VISA CC from my Credit Union that I use as my "just in case" card over there.
Being a Apple Wallet neophyte, good to know I can just tap with the wallet! I just have to see how to put my CU CC on it.
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Don’t worry about that. I have several US-issued cards that do not have PINs and these work perfectly fine at train kiosks etc either through Apple Pay, tapping, or are authorised automatically when I insert the card.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,381
depending on the country, sometimes you have to enter a PIN if transaction is over a certain limit (or count)
eg UK is £100 (while apple pay/google pay can go over limit, since you have to authenticate PIN/fingerprint)
https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...00-from-friday
in some countries: you might be forced to enter your PIN when using contactless 5 times in a row
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...es-why-1336181
but of course, depending on the location, holding an iPhone out may be riskier than holding a credit card (someone snatching off your iPhone)
that said, my recent trips (pre-covid) in europe, contactless definitely helps, no signature/PIN typically
(2015- using a chip&signature card at Tesco self checkout = finding the store-attendant to sign the paper receipt
2019- tap&pay, no issues)
eg UK is £100 (while apple pay/google pay can go over limit, since you have to authenticate PIN/fingerprint)
https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...00-from-friday
in some countries: you might be forced to enter your PIN when using contactless 5 times in a row
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...es-why-1336181
but of course, depending on the location, holding an iPhone out may be riskier than holding a credit card (someone snatching off your iPhone)
that said, my recent trips (pre-covid) in europe, contactless definitely helps, no signature/PIN typically
(2015- using a chip&signature card at Tesco self checkout = finding the store-attendant to sign the paper receipt
2019- tap&pay, no issues)
Last edited by paperwastage; Mar 7, 2022 at 6:18 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
depending on the country, sometimes you have to enter a PIN if transaction is over a certain limit (or count)
eg UK is £100 (while apple pay/google pay can go over limit, since you have to authenticate PIN/fingerprint)
https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...00-from-friday
in some countries: you might be forced to enter your PIN when using contactless 5 times in a row
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...es-why-1336181
but of course, depending on the location, holding an iPhone out may be riskier than holding a credit card (someone snatching off your iPhone)
that said, my recent trips (pre-covid) in europe, contactless definitely helps, no signature/PIN typically
(2015- using a chip&signature card at Tesco self checkout = finding the store-attendant to sign the paper receipt )
eg UK is £100 (while apple pay/google pay can go over limit, since you have to authenticate PIN/fingerprint)
https://www.theguardian.com/money/20...00-from-friday
in some countries: you might be forced to enter your PIN when using contactless 5 times in a row
https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.c...es-why-1336181
but of course, depending on the location, holding an iPhone out may be riskier than holding a credit card (someone snatching off your iPhone)
that said, my recent trips (pre-covid) in europe, contactless definitely helps, no signature/PIN typically
(2015- using a chip&signature card at Tesco self checkout = finding the store-attendant to sign the paper receipt )
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Even many of the ones that do have PIN are programmed such that it's asked only as a last resort, or at best only for things like gas pumps. Which, considering how my UNFCU credit card (one of the only ones that prefer PIN both with contactless and when inserting) behaves domestically, may be for the best.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 1,999
Most US-issued cards are online-PIN.
In Europe, many of our cards still are off-line PIN, as in the PIN is embedded into the chip on the card and thus, does not require contacting the card issuer. A PIN entry is required for every transation that has a card insert ; sans contact <50€ transactions are approved without PIN generally.
In France, the vast majority of machines thesedays will accept online-PIN from MC and Visa worldwide (Amex is far less accepted in Europe). Thus US cards will not be an issue at most public transit kiosks, toll booths, etc... at stores you will be given a paper slip to sign. Or maybe not, sometimes the cashier just doesn't care because signature is not the usual way to authenticate.
Where problems may occur : older automated fuel pumps that still only use off-line PIN. These are scattered and generally the exception; the ones at the autoroute rest stops will be newer.
I think only France has widespread automated fuel pumps though. In Italy, Espagne, Germany, Suisse, most places you fill the car/moto first and then go inside to pay.
In Europe, many of our cards still are off-line PIN, as in the PIN is embedded into the chip on the card and thus, does not require contacting the card issuer. A PIN entry is required for every transation that has a card insert ; sans contact <50€ transactions are approved without PIN generally.
In France, the vast majority of machines thesedays will accept online-PIN from MC and Visa worldwide (Amex is far less accepted in Europe). Thus US cards will not be an issue at most public transit kiosks, toll booths, etc... at stores you will be given a paper slip to sign. Or maybe not, sometimes the cashier just doesn't care because signature is not the usual way to authenticate.
Where problems may occur : older automated fuel pumps that still only use off-line PIN. These are scattered and generally the exception; the ones at the autoroute rest stops will be newer.
I think only France has widespread automated fuel pumps though. In Italy, Espagne, Germany, Suisse, most places you fill the car/moto first and then go inside to pay.
#12
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 17
I lived in Italy for the last nine months. If I spent over E50 and used an American card tap would not work (even though my card is tap enabled). I would have to insert the card and then sign the receipt. No pin was required ever. Strangely using Google Pay with the same credit card could be used just by tapping the phone. Google & Apple Pay are surprisingly accepted at most places that take credit cards (at least in Naples).
#13
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 54
Exercise caution
I just returned from a 1-week visit to Belgium. (Previously, I worked/lived in Belgium for many years.) Apple Pay worked perfectly with my Citi Premier and C1 Venture card in many businesses. I did have trouble using my Amex Platinum with Apple Pay for some reason, but didn’t troubleshoot the matter, as the other cards worked perfectly.
None of my USA cards worked, however, at an automated fuel station and at an underground parking garage. (Fortunately, a family member just used their Belgian debit card to save the day.)
Though I’d had trouble using USA cards with unattended gas and parking situations on previous visits to Belgium, I’d read that PIN priority credit cards were no longer required. Sadly, this did not prove to be the case. The gas station was a large one near the Brussels Airport, the parking lot was a municipal one near the city center. I don’t know if you will encounter the same issues in France, but but it sounds like I need to obtain a PIN priority card for future visits!
None of my USA cards worked, however, at an automated fuel station and at an underground parking garage. (Fortunately, a family member just used their Belgian debit card to save the day.)
Though I’d had trouble using USA cards with unattended gas and parking situations on previous visits to Belgium, I’d read that PIN priority credit cards were no longer required. Sadly, this did not prove to be the case. The gas station was a large one near the Brussels Airport, the parking lot was a municipal one near the city center. I don’t know if you will encounter the same issues in France, but but it sounds like I need to obtain a PIN priority card for future visits!
Last edited by Brussels; Mar 21, 2022 at 3:06 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,381
credit card? If you lose it, anyone can pick it up and start tapping
#15
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEL
Posts: 1,056
Where problems may occur : older automated fuel pumps that still only use off-line PIN. These are scattered and generally the exception; the ones at the autoroute rest stops will be newer.
I think only France has widespread automated fuel pumps though. In Italy, Espagne, Germany, Suisse, most places you fill the car/moto first and then go inside to pay.
I think only France has widespread automated fuel pumps though. In Italy, Espagne, Germany, Suisse, most places you fill the car/moto first and then go inside to pay.
I just returned from a 1-week visit to Belgium. (Previously, I worked/lived in Belgium for many years.) Apple Pay worked perfectly with my Citi Premier and C1 Venture card in many businesses. I did have trouble using my Amex Platinum with Apple Pay for some reason, but didn’t troubleshoot the matter, as the other cards worked perfectly.
None of my USA cards, however, worked at an automated fuel station and at an underground parking garage. (Fortunately, a family member just used their Belgian debit card to save the day.)
Though I’d had trouble using USA cards with unattended gas and parking situations on past visits to Belgium, I’d read that PIN priority credit cards were no longer required. Sadly, this did not prove to be true. The gas station was a large one near the Brussels Airport, the parking lot was a municipal one near the city center. I don’t know if you will encounter the same issues in France, but but it sounds like I need to obtain a PIN priority card for future visits!
None of my USA cards, however, worked at an automated fuel station and at an underground parking garage. (Fortunately, a family member just used their Belgian debit card to save the day.)
Though I’d had trouble using USA cards with unattended gas and parking situations on past visits to Belgium, I’d read that PIN priority credit cards were no longer required. Sadly, this did not prove to be true. The gas station was a large one near the Brussels Airport, the parking lot was a municipal one near the city center. I don’t know if you will encounter the same issues in France, but but it sounds like I need to obtain a PIN priority card for future visits!
Your Amex probably didn't work because virtually no one in Belgium takes Amex due to the much higher interchange fees.