It really depends on how the CC terminals themselves are programmed along with the card type. Yes you could have to follow the waiter to the terminal to enter your pin, but a lot of US terminals are signature based.
Online transactions would not require a pin, nor would Apple Pay transactions AFAIK. Both are considered a form of card not present which shouldn’t trigger the pin request.
I would choose Chip and signature priority if one was to live in the US. It will default to the pin on unattended terminals in other parts of the world.
Online transactions would not require a pin, nor would Apple Pay transactions AFAIK. Both are considered a form of card not present which shouldn’t trigger the pin request.
I would choose Chip and signature priority if one was to live in the US. It will default to the pin on unattended terminals in other parts of the world.
I travel a ton in europe & asia, and even UAE. Never had chip+pin on any of my cards, chip+signature has always worked fine. Occasionally, in areas where foreigners like myself don't frequent, the clerk will look confused when the receipt prints out with a signature line on it, but I've never had a difficult time with a credit card transaction anywhere I've been.
Total Loan Balance: $43k / $65k
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US restaurants some will default to PIN others it can be swiped just fine.
I have used my First Tech nearly zero but Subway asked for a PIN, a McDonalds drive through just swiped. Somewhere else just swiped too think was the coffee shop across the street. I always have at least two cards on me, so it wasn’t a problem when I couldn’t remember the PIN anyway haha, non-use no muscle memory.
Asia when I went PIN’s were non-existent; I picked up the card such that if I went to Europe I wouldn’t be “that dumb American” holding up the line.
I admittedly sometimes get annoyed when people fumble with cash or checks today and hold things up, I try not to be a hypocrite.
I have used my First Tech nearly zero but Subway asked for a PIN, a McDonalds drive through just swiped. Somewhere else just swiped too think was the coffee shop across the street. I always have at least two cards on me, so it wasn’t a problem when I couldn’t remember the PIN anyway haha, non-use no muscle memory.
Asia when I went PIN’s were non-existent; I picked up the card such that if I went to Europe I wouldn’t be “that dumb American” holding up the line.
I admittedly sometimes get annoyed when people fumble with cash or checks today and hold things up, I try not to be a hypocrite.
@Anonymous wrote:@Revelatewhat has been your experience using a chip and pin priority card in the United States? Never see any information on it. Is it easy to use or it is a hassle as the equipment can't process or what? Also, what is your experience in foreign countries (as you mentioned you did not want to be the dumb American)?
We read in this forum how people want/need a chip and pin priority card and never what the actual usage experience is. Sure would be a good bit of knowledge?
In the US if it isn't supported it just swipes, if it is you get asked for a PIN. It's not a big deal either way as long as you know what your PIN is, but I don't know what mine is for First Tech and while I guess I could call and get it reset, hasn't been a priority for me. My once every 1.25 year swipes as it happened aren't enough to justify making that effort. In my case I just apologized and swiped the CSR instead which admittedly caused some delay. The particular merchant POS system had a keypad on it, I have to assume that if a debit card were used it might ask for a PIN too... I guess I could go try that, the Subway is literally downstairs.
What I was referring to was Corey's and other's comments over time in Europe: you swipe the card, the cashier is confused, and anytime you promote confusion you're slowing everyone else down (assuming there's a line); I might not stick out like a sore thumb in Europe and therefore be easily identified like I did in some parts of Asia, but that sort of blithe disregard for others is a hallmark of all the historical stereotypes of American tourists with various insensitivities, and I don't want to be that.