Mastercard for motorway tolls?

[Patmobile]

I've noticed that many of the smaller motorway exits are now automated and unmanned.  This has never been a problem for us as we always use a telepeage bleeper, but a client soon to be arriving at one of our gites is worried about the type of cards that are accepted. 

"We

have read a lot recently in our BMW  club magazine and

newspapers about people having problems using Mastercard credit cards in

France. Most cards here seem to have gone over to M/card from Visa including

ours. We have also read that the motorway tolls are now automated and

don't accept cash, and again only Visa cards would work. The enquiries I have made here all say that Mastercard is

widely accepted.  Is it?"

I replied that I didn't know but would try to find out.  Can someone provide the answer?

Patrick

 

[allanb]

Obviously I can't speak for every motorway exit in France, but for several years (before I started using télépéage) Visa and Mastercard seemed to be equally acceptable, i.e. I don't remember either of them being refused.  I live in Aquitaine, but I think they both worked in other areas also.

[cooperlola]

Also, many automated toll boothes do in fact take cash although you have to stop at a special booth and get the ticket validated (much like a car park which you pay for before exiting).  My local one certainly does.

[Gardian]

Electron (whatever that is) doesn't work - there's a sign up well before you get to the peage.  Don't know why - just saw the sign the other day.

For goodness sake, if they refused to take Visa or Mastercard, then they'd be turning down 99% of the cards proferred.

[Patmobile]

I checked with SANEF who operate the toll roads in this part of the country, and although they do accept Visa Electron and Maestro cards, these cards may not be accepted by other operators in other parts of the country.

Patrick

[Etoile]

We live in the Charente and the peages here do not accept my HSBC Visa card, in fact neither do the petrol stations. I tend to stay in bed on Sundays in France nowadays.

[Cerise]

My Credit Agricole card is a Mastercard and it works as does my UK Barclaycard which is Visa. Always use the card even when there is a pya booth and never had any trouble.

[Mr Coeur de Lion]

My French mastercard's work, but my Australian visa card does not.

[Iceni]

[quote user="Patmobile"]

Can someone provide the answer?
 
[/quote]

Thinking laterally

1. use real money - better still, as a BMW owner let your chauffeur pay

2. don't use the motorways

John