Credit and debit cards

Geno · Guru

Credit and debit cards

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Geno -- Michele will have more Up-To-Date info, but we had NO problems last June-July using our NON Pin and Chip Credit or Debit cards. Ireland switched to P&C a few years ago, along with the rest of the EU. They have always had provisions for accepting our 'Old Fashioned' Cards from the US, so there should be no reason for concern.

By the way, the few US issuers that DO offer 'chipped' cards have them prioritized for 'Chip and Sign'. US issuers claim that the cost of conversion FAR exceeds the loss through fraud . . .

THAT may all change, after the Target, et al, DEBACLE, but who knows . . .

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Geno,

I was in Ireland in Sept/Oct 2013 and my "old fashioned" US credit card worked just fine. Instead of punching in a PIN the cashier will have you sign a receipt like they do here. With all the Americans and others with regular CCs, European tourist destinations still have to accept them to accommodate the needs of tourist.

What number trip will this be for you?

Michele

Geno · Guru

Thanks Bob -- we had no problems as recently as last year, so was just wanting to see if anything had changed. I hope to just be able to use the cards as usual.

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Thursday 23rd of January 2014 01:41:16 PM

Geno · Guru

Appreciate the information Michele. This will be my seventh trip to Ireland -- however the first time my wife and I have taken our kids (hardly kids -- they are grown now), so we are excited! We are going in March, flying into Dublin and immediately going to Kilkenny the first day/night. From there across to spend a couple of days in Country Clare to do Loop Head, Cliffs (since they haven't seen it before), then north to Westport for two days to do all the sites in that area, then back across in the direction of Dublin. Drop car off, and take bus to city for the afternoon and evening. Flight home is not until noon the next day and we are staying at B&B in Swords, so we will be close when we get up.

Sort of a quick trip, but we still have two night stays in Clare and Mayo, and a full day and night in Kilkenny and Dublin, so I think we will be able to show them quite a bit without doing too much! smile The good thing about going to places we know well is that we can locate where the good music is, already knew places to stay, and have some good ideas on where to eat. We shouldn't waste much time hunting for things, other than the always expected "getting lost moments" that are actually interesting.

We are looking forward to seeing our children's reactions to a place we enjoy so much.

Take care,

Geno

-- Edited by Geno on Thursday 23rd of January 2014 04:51:25 PM

Michele Erdvig · Host

That sounds like fun. I know you will enjoy showing the "kids" Ireland for the first time - hopefully the first of many. Must get them addicted early! wink I hope you have good weather for Loop Head. Be sure to stop along the way at the Bridges of Ross. It is such a scenic drive.