Using CHIP and PIN Credit Cards and ApplePay in Europe

In Europe credit cards use CHIP and PIN. In the US, most credit cards use CHIP only. No PIN. This article can show you which cards support both CHIP and PIN.

Credit Card Insider: Chip-and-PIN Credit Cards in the USA.

Since I have a CHIP only card, when I tried to use it in Amsterdam, I was required to show my license and give a signature. Lame.

When I was in Germany, at the checkout, I said I wanted to pay with a CARD, and then used my iPhone to pay with ApplePay. That worked 95% of the time and made payments seamless. I tied my ApplePay to a credit card without foreign transaction fees.

Note: When the vendor asks if you want to have them convert the transaction from EURO to US DOLLARS, say NO, because their foreign transaction fees will be high, and your credit card without foreign transaction fees will take care of it.

Viking Grand European Tour River Cruise - DAY 1 Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam, The Netherlands



Viking:

Arrive in Amsterdam, then transfer to your ship.* After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, you may wish to visit the Rijksmuseum, or the Van Gogh Museum next door.

* Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.

Getting There
Although transfers are included, we missed the transfer agent. Possibly it was because we did not check our bags, although we did go to baggage claim. We then went to the meeting area at the front of the airport where other tour companies were, but no Viking representatives were there.

We ended up taking the train ourselves, from the airport to Central Station via train. Direct. It cost 11 Euros.

First, I tried to use the automated ticket machine, but it gave me an error. That's because I was trying to use a credit card from the US that does not support CHIP and PIN. It was a CHIP, but no PIN code that can be used on automated machines in Europe.

So I had to go to the ticket counter.

Me: Do you accept Apple Pay?

Her: You want to pay with Apples?

Me: Yes!

Her: We only accept European money here, we do not accept Apples!

I paid with a 20 Euro and we go our tickets, headed to the track, and shortly boarded our train to a non-stop trip to Central Station.

Our ship, Tir, was close by.

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Sunny in Amsterdam. Herengracht Centrum.

A post shared by Steve Garfield (@stevegarfield) on May 2, 2019 at 7:55am PDT

Best Beer Bar in Amsterdam
Proeflokaal Arendsnest
Herengracht 90 (3,456.28 mi)
Amsterdam, Netherlands 1015 BS









#Amsterdam

Best Beer Bar in Amsterdam: Arendsnest Proeflokaal

Best Beer Bar in Amsterdam: Arendsnest Proeflokaal
Seriously, just go here. Inside, outside, it's all great. Plus, the bar tender will help you choose.