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U.S. type ATM/Credit cards

Scotsreb

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
May-June 2014, SJPdP to Santiago de Compostela,
Lisbon-Santiago de Compostela, June 2016
I was wondering whether there is an issue with Euro/Spanish ATM machines, accepting the U.S. magnetic strip style ATM/Credit cards?
Philip
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
Nope, no problem in an ATM
Now the toll booths, and little restaurants who prefer to be paid in cash can be a problem.

The tolls are the worst.....my new Bank of America Travel Rewards card with the micro chip was eaten on a French autoroute last year. The chip worked everywhere else.

(Honk all you want, This car stays put until I get my card back)
 
Not at all, just make sure your card is not worn down.
 
Camino wristwatch
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
Hooray ... that's a load off my mind.
Thanks.
 
Please also read the following Forum thread discussing bank card usage. Throughout Europe a chip with a 4 digit pin is the norm.

MM
 
mspath said:
Please also read the following Forum thread discussing bank card usage. Throughout Europe a chip with a 4 digit pin is the norm.

MM
Click to expand...
Please make note of the 4-digit pin that mspath mentioned. I had a 6-digit pin, but found out about ATM's in Spain only accepting 4-digit pins. Got mine changed at the bank before I left the US and had no problems on the Camino.
 
Camino wristwatch
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
If using your card to purchase something, even if you have a PIN, Spaniards almost always require ID with your photo.
 
Thank you to all who answered and the info passed along.
It is very comforting to get such quic and helpful reactions from those on the forum.
Buen Camino to all hands.
Philip
 
I have been to Europe twice. Spain last May. I had no trouble with my debit card for getting cash. I have a Edwards AFB credit card that has a chip and strip that I use over seas and have had no problems so far.
 
Download free today.
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I would also suggest you check which card has no foreign transaction fees. Capital One Visa and now American Express are good options.
 
Scotsreb said:
I was wondering whether there is an issue with Euro/Spanish ATM machines, accepting the U.S. magnetic strip style ATM/Credit cards?
Philip
Click to expand...


Several years ago I was in Spain and tried to use my ATM and couldn't because the pin number was more than four digits so I had to change it. With four digits it was fine. I am not sure if people at this time have larger pin numbers even here (in the U.S.) but that was back quite a few years.
 
TIP: If shopping overseas with a credit card and get asked by the cashier in which currency you want the charges (i.e dollar or Euros): the answer is the local currency (i.e. Euros).
 
Get a Spanish mobil number + data while on the Camino
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
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