Credit Cards Accepted In Europe

[Travel Guru]

What credit cards are accepted in Europe? If you're planning a vacation to Europe, this is a question that you probably want answers to. Let's talk about the major credit cards that most venfors accept in Europe.

Even if your credit card is ok with a merchant in Europe, your bank may cause a problem with the transaction. It seems that these days many credit card companies are quick on the trigger to reject transactions outside of the normal activity they usually see. So when you use that card for the first time in Italy at a furniture store for a truckload of stuff, there's little chance that transaction won't be questioned. But you can lessen this credit burden. First off, especially if you're planning to make major purchases, or think you might buy some major art, call your credit card company and tell them where you plan to be. There's usually an 800 customer service number on the card. Give the dates you're planning to be overseas, and the countries you're planning to visit.

In "Eastern European" countries, cards are usually accepted in major tourist destinations (Prague, Budapest, Warsaw, and so on), but may not be accepted in smaller cities or in countries with less tourism. MasterCard/EuroCard/Cirrus/Maestro recommends that you use a 4-digit identification (PIN) code when travelling abroad; if your code is longer than this, you should change it to something shorter before leaving. Visa/Plus recommends that you use a 4-digit to 6-digit code. Also, European bank machines don't have letters on the numeric keypad; if you use the letters to remember your code, you'll have to learn the numbers instead.

Both Visa and MasterCard/ EuroCard are widely accepted in Europe for purchases. American Express is much less useful, and Discover is not usually accepted in Europe. You can also get a cash advance using your credit card; in this case, your own bank will charge you interest starting on the day you received the funds and may also add a surcharge for foreign transactions. The bank giving you the money shouldn't ask for any additional commission or fee; if it does, go elsewhere.

Credit cards work fine throughout Europe (at hotels, larger shops and restaurants, travel agencies, and so on), although more and more merchants are establishing a $30 minimum. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted. American Express is less common (because it costs merchants more) but is popular with some travelers for its extra services. The Discover card is completely unknown in Europe. As more consumers believe they are getting "free use of the bank's money," we all absorb the percentage the credit-card companies are making in higher purchase prices. Fully aware of the percentage they lose, merchants and hoteliers — particularly in southern Europe — sometimes give you a better deal if you offer to pay with cash instead of a credit card.

Long story short, all of the major credit cards are widely used and accepted in Europe, except for American Express and Discover cards.