Indeed, the machines take Maestro and V-Pay debit cards along side the Dutch 'PIN' system. However, this is quite limiting, as their use outside the Low Countries is very patchy. Really wish they would take more cards, even if you do have to pay a nominal supplement!

Count me in too...

I had 2 connections (train to plane + return) at AMS a few weeks ago, and I honestly found the entire place rather confusing - and I was generally wondering what all the acclaims are about.

To put this in perspective: I used AMS regularly (as in weekly) over a long period about 10-15 years ago, I speak Dutch (and English of course) and I am a fairly experienced traveler. So this is not a case of a once-a-year tourist being overwhelmed...

Strange, I speak those languages as well, use it less than you do (and I live in Amsterdam) and I find that it works fine for me. I have no idea what you find confusing about it.

I did commute to/from Schiphol for about 5 years, and started off travelling there with colleagues, so it's difficult to see it through the eyes of an infrequent user (or someone doing something outside their usual). However, I would say:

• The concept of having a single airside terminal (other than the Schengen/non-Schengen split) for an airport principally set up for connections is laudable. But it can cause other hassles. Not least what happens with arrivals belts and the position of the check-in desks relative to the pier you're going to be departing from.
• You have to know that "Schiphol Plaza" is where you find landside shops, trains, buses and hire cars. There's an overreliance on the label.
• The train situation is complicated by its very flexibility. You can travel from this station to all over the Netherlands and even adjoining countries, all for the price of a normal air fare. You can have your choice of routes into Amsterdam (Centraal or Zuid) with intermediate stations as well. So, for someone expecting to turn up and catch a shuttle service to the main station, it's not going to be that simple. Although they have at least now clearly marked trains that are going to Zuid rather than Centraal.
• It's normal the KLM have the most convenient check-in desks, as they're by far the dominant carrier. But seriously, some of the others are ridiculously located relative to the pier you're going to depart from.
• There really need to be more, better located ATMs.
• If you're going to put a big barrier up to separate Schengen from non-Schengen, please don't make us cross from one to the other to find a lounge! Ah yes, the old BD days...

However, given all of that... I still prefer it to many, many airports.

I've used US-issued CCs successfully @ the airport kiosks. Outside the airport (Centraal, Rotterndam, Leiden, etc) they do not work. The staff say that the airport machines are an exception. They will, however, take foreign issued bank cards via Maestro

Just for the sake of nitpicking: PIN no longer exists and has been replaced by Maesto and V-Pay. The brand "PIN" continues to exist, but the technology is Maestro.

Generally I prefer AMS over many other hubs of similar size. If people find AMS confusing I can't fathom what you'd say about a place like FRA.

I love Schipol and find it generally pleasant compared to most airports. There are (can be?) really big gaps between signs though - not a big deal if you are aware of that and aren't in a rush.

Let me tell you then, because I made two connections in FRA too.

I had similar feelings in FRA but the only real confusion seemed to be how to get out or even where to go if you were doing a Schengen to non-Schengen connection. Longer walks at FRA too. But AMS seems to have spread the confusion around much more and snook it into every conceivable corner.

Good One!

My wife is Japanese, but can read and speak English (although not nearly as well as the OP), but hardly a word of Dutch. She can easily get around Schiphol without any confusion.

I find it interesting and revealing that the OP hasn't even spelled the name of the airport correctly.

I landed at AMS (on a UA flight) earlier this month and was surprised at my most recent experience at Schipol. I had remembered it as an efficient and pleasant airport from my previous visits in the 80's & 90's, but this time it was different.

The decor and facilities looked dated and uninviting. The signage was poor. It was a long walk from the gate to baggage claim. Poor and small immigration control area fed by inbound passengers coming down escalators and stairs with lack of space and major congestion. Long wait for baggage.

There were 2 machines to buy train tickets at the baggage area, but none would accept cash. Outside in the public arrival hall, the signage was not good for direction to the ticketing booths to buy train tickets into town. Also, I think I had to pay a surcharge buying them from an agent instead of the machines.

Which airport was this? It doesn't sound at all like my hometown airport. How about JFK or Newark airports in the US where each airline is in a separate building? Is that more convenient?

Your bank won't upgrade to newer, safer credit cards and that is the fault of the airport?

Sorry about the spelling gaffe.

I don't doubt that your Japanese wife knows Schiphol like the back of her hand, given she is your wife then she probably uses AMS much more often than i either have or am likely to.

I have twice alluded that my considering the airport to be "sucky" is because it is not an intuitive place to arrive at as a casual visitor and that it would not take much effort to iron out the suckiness. I am sure that after a couple more visits I would have the place licked.

I don't think it is a question of foreign banks "upgrading" so much as having taken a different route. And I am not sure of the different sides of the safety dabate and practicality of each type of card. For what it's worth, I prefer Chip and PIN too but that is not what my bank issued me with.

AMS is a very major international hub and so far as I can tell, at least most of the Americas do not have Chip and PIN cards. So perhaps it would have been prudent to have installed less restrictive ticket machines.

It's not just AMS that questions the international versatility of Visa and Mastercard. Washington Metro's ticket machines do not accept a card unless you are able to enter a US ZIP code. How quaintly inward looking of them.

Oh, so you think she has memorised every square centimeter of the airport and you could blindfold her and she would still find her way around? No. It's because she can read English and pays attention to the signs around her. Something you and some of the other critics apparently have trouble doing.
Intuitive? You mean, that with three blank doors you would "intuitively" pick the right one? My friend, all of us who travel have the experience of coming into buildings for the first (or second time). We look for the signs, we read them and we pay attention.

I suspect you are thinking an airport should be more like a hotel. Most hotels are indeed intuitive. There will be a reception desk in the lobby. There will be elevators nearby, etc., etc.