Discover in South Korea and Citibank Chip & Pin Secondary MCs in Europe?

[Pucelle]

I will be traveling a lot this year and wanted to know people's experience with specific credit cards overseas in the countries and places I've listed below.  I only have the cards listed in my signature and my ability to get anymore is hampered by the fact that I will be buying a house this summer (full doc pre-approved already).

South Korea

I have a Discover Card that I’ve been told will work in South Korea as part of the BC Card network.  Has anyone used their Discover Card in South Korea and had any issues?  I know that Asia is mostly a cash society but I wanted to see how widely accepted/known the Discover/BC card connection is.  Do I need to tell the merchant to run it as a BC Card? I like that my Discover doesn’t have a FTF and their conversion is pretty decent.

Paris, France

How important is Chip and Pin in Paris?  I won’t be going outside of Paris and essentially will only be there for a Wedding so most likely will just be eating out and taking the metro.  I know Discover doesn’t work in France so I’ll either have to take one of my Citibank CCs or just rely on my debit card & pay cash.

Germany & Austria

I’ll be taking delivery of my new car in Germany and plan to drive around and visit my friends there and in Austria.  I’ll be there for little over a week as I visit my friends and head to the port to drop the car off.  I’ve heard that the unattended gas stations don’t take Chip & Sig cards and that Chip & Pin are required. My Citibank ThankYou Preferred World MC has both with Chip & Sig primary and Chip & Pin secondary but has a 3% FTF.   I’m hoping by then I will have a UNFCU Visa card which only has a 1% FTF which even with Visa’s horrible conversion should still be better than MC + 3%.  In case I don’t have it though, has anyone had trouble using the Citibank cards with secondary Chip & Pin at unattended kiosks?

Grand Cayman

Does anyone know if Chip & Pin is a requirement there or is it like most tourist places and takes all types?

Or would I just be better off applying for a Chip & Pin credit card from United Nation FCU instead as they seem to have the only primary Chip & Pin card out there.  My credit union only charges 1% FTF and no-ATM fee which is the best rate I've found so far for CASH withdrawls.  I don't qualify for USAA (plus you need to be active military) and PenFed/NavyFed don't seem to worth the hassle unless I'm wrong.

[nickkilla]

Had no problem using discover for my 2 week trip in Seoul. 

[AzaleaB]

I spend two months in Paris every year working and I've seldom run into any issues with no Chip & Pin (or even Chip & Signature) card. There are very few times it may be needed - some gas stations I think (didn't drive there) and metro machines (you can buy from kiosks with attendants). Similar experience in Germany.

[Pucelle]

Did you have to do anything special in South Korea or did they just swipe the card like normal?

[yudeology101]

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@Pucelle wrote:

Did you have to do anything special in South Korea or did they just swipe the card like normal?

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It'll be swiped normal just like anywhere else..only thing is that their receipt form (where you sign) is a bit bigger than what we are used to in the states.  I'm Korean and have been there many times

[Pucelle]

Cool thanks.

[bk510]

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@Pucelle wrote:

I will be traveling a lot this year and wanted to know people's experience with specific credit cards overseas in the countries and places I've listed below.  I only have the cards listed in my signature and my ability to get anymore is hampered by the fact that I will be buying a house this summer (full doc pre-approved already).

South Korea

I have a Discover Card that I’ve been told will work in South Korea as part of the BC Card network.  Has anyone used their Discover Card in South Korea and had any issues?  I know that Asia is mostly a cash society but I wanted to see how widely accepted/known the Discover/BC card connection is.  Do I need to tell the merchant to run it as a BC Card? I like that my Discover doesn’t have a FTF and their conversion is pretty decent.

Paris, France

How important is Chip and Pin in Paris?  I won’t be going outside of Paris and essentially will only be there for a Wedding so most likely will just be eating out and taking the metro.  I know Discover doesn’t work in France so I’ll either have to take one of my Citibank CCs or just rely on my debit card & pay cash.

Germany & Austria

I’ll be taking delivery of my new car in Germany and plan to drive around and visit my friends there and in Austria.  I’ll be there for little over a week as I visit my friends and head to the port to drop the car off.  I’ve heard that the unattended gas stations don’t take Chip & Sig cards and that Chip & Pin are required. My Citibank ThankYou Preferred World MC has both with Chip & Sig primary and Chip & Pin secondary but has a 3% FTF.   I’m hoping by then I will have a UNFCU Visa card which only has a 1% FTF which even with Visa’s horrible conversion should still be better than MC + 3%.  In case I don’t have it though, has anyone had trouble using the Citibank cards with secondary Chip & Pin at unattended kiosks?

Grand Cayman

Does anyone know if Chip & Pin is a requirement there or is it like most tourist places and takes all types?

Or would I just be better off applying for a Chip & Pin credit card from United Nation FCU instead as they seem to have the only primary Chip & Pin card out there.  My credit union only charges 1% FTF and no-ATM fee which is the best rate I've found so far for CASH withdrawls.  I don't qualify for USAA (plus you need to be active military) and PenFed/NavyFed don't seem to worth the hassle unless I'm wrong.

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Incorrect....You can still apply for their CC, withou being a full member.

I am a partial member since 4/13, have chk and savings account with them. Just apped for AMEX USAA card and got declined

[nyancat]

You don't need to be active military for USAA, but you do need to have some connection.

Best cash withdrawal is Schwab - zero FTF, refund ATM owner fee.

Germany - credit card acceptance in general is pretty dismal, beware many places are cash-only unlike in most of Europe.

Chip and PIN isn't that necessary in person, I don't rent cars so can't speak to petrol pumps. Some shopkeepers are idiots and will void the transaction when they see a signature slip, but this is rare - I've never, personally, experienced it.