AMEX and PIN number
 

So I have read on this board and others, as well as several guidebooks, that a PIN number is frequently needed to use a credit card in Europe. I called American Express and the agent "promises" me that I won't need a PIN to use AMEX in Europe. I will be traveling in Sweden and Denmark and will be relying on the Amex card for most of my expenses. Am I going to run into trouble? Do I need to call Amex back and insist that they send me a PIN? Seemed that they really didn't want to send me one. Thanks.

It's not that they don't want to but they can't. The card is a chip 'n SIGNATURE card not a chip 'n PIN card.

Added - I went on a search and I read somewhere that the Platinum card is Chip 'n Pin. Since I have one with a chip, I'll call them to see if I can really get a PIN for it.

Interesting. I thought you could use an Amex for cash advances at an ATM machine, and therefore it would be possible to get a PIN number. Every other credit card I've ever had, in my life, I've been able to get a PIN for.

I just called Amex to ask and this is what I learned (this is for US Plat Card so other cards/locale's may vary):

1) there is no cash advance feature anymore
2) you can link your Plat card to a checking account and, if you do, you'll get a PIN.
3) If you get cash from your checking account through your Amex card, there is a charge of 3% with a minimum of $5.
4) The US Plat card is Chip 'n Signature.

Thanks for the research.

I still US Amex Plat cards which have no chip, and that includes cards issued up to at least last year.

Some US Amex cards still have a cash advance feature (independent of checking account tie), but those may just be the credit cards rather than the Amex charge cards (where you have to pay in full every month).

Just for a little background, the Scandinavian Amex cards that have a chip and pin are sent from the US to Scandinavian countries.

FWIW, my experience (as UK Amex C&P cardholder in Denmark) is that my Amex card is generally rejected on Chip & PIN (despite being accepted pretty much everywhere else in Europe). It's then carried through on Strip* & Sig, and I've never once had a problem in doing so. My Mastercard (also UK C&P) is accepted on C&P no problem.

You will often be charged a supplement to pay by credit card - and sometimes a higher supplement for Amex, however. This is quite common in restaurants and cafés, in particular.

* As in, magnetic strip. I don't have to remove my clothes - a blessing when it was -10 this winter...

If you want a chip'd Amex Plat card, all you have to do is call them and they'll send one to you. You'll get it in 2 days. I just did it last month.

I use my AmEx for all expenses in Europe and I've never had an issue other than in places that simply do not accept AmEx. I keep a Visa in my wallet for those situations but it's usually only a handful of times each trip. Many times the cashier will have to swipe the card for me instead of using the self swipe terminal thingy but that's about it.

Thanks everyone for your responses. Most helpful. :)