ChezShells Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 Can anyone tell me if UK chip n pin cards work yet, i'm thinking not.After forgetting our pin number on our french card and the bank failing to send out a new number we are driving through France again in the hope we don't have to spend the night in a petrol station.This time we will be a little earlier so hopefully I might find a manned station at about 8pm and fill up again.May need fuel around Rennes or Niort if anyone knows manned stations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 You will have no problem with a UK card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 I don't think I'd go quite that far but certainly I've never had any problems with my Nationwide debit card which, if you are going to be using a card in France, is the one to have.I can't imagine why anybody would have to spend a night at a main road service station as there will always be someone along who will take cash in exchange for using their card for you, unless you had no cash that is, but then to travel without some emergency money is asking for trouble and I can't imagine anyone being so shortsighted or remis. Wherever possible we use satnav to plan a detour off the peage to fill up at a supermarket, and well before we are down to fumes too.Bonne voyage.PS: You could always resort to the time honoured practice of carrying a couple of gallons in the boot [;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 I had problems with a UK card and haven't tried it since, Do UK cards work now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyh4 Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Will UK cards work? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. As machines become updated, so they incorporate the software to decode the more complex security of UK cards. Older machine will continue to reject your card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickles Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 [quote user="Théière"]I had problems with a UK card and haven't tried it since, Do UK cards work now?[/quote]UK cards work in Leclerc automated stations, so I'm told. We've always been able to get fuel on the autoroutes at night with UK cards.RegardsPickles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisb Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Ours certainly works at various LeClercs - also at our local EcoMarche 24/7 pump - which even recognises the card nationality and switches over to instructions in English! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cacknanty Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 Not had a problem using UK cards for over a year now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicandJo Posted April 16, 2010 Share Posted April 16, 2010 My Alliance and leicester card doesn't work in auto pumps, works fine at the counter and cash machines.......but my Lloyds one does work everywhere. Figure that one out...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezShells Posted April 17, 2010 Author Share Posted April 17, 2010 Well, we got there.Did a quick fill up at a Super U just off the main road down and the card worked (MBNA ex Alliance Leicester credit card).Probably would have made it anyway as turned out, still had over a 1/4 left.Now back to the bank to ask if they will send me a new PIN again which I have found out today that they have been taking out 10e a month for something I havn't asked for, then im off to open another account somehere else.Nice and warm today in a nice part of the world made up for itAnOther - Hate to think of your backup emergency plans for when taking a flight or ferry.For some bizaar reason I thought having a debit card would have got me money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 [quote user="ChezShells"]For some bizaar reason I thought having a debit card would have got me money![/quote]It does in the case of AnOthers' suggestion the nationwide card works in cash points and the rate is good without transaction charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 [quote user="Théière"][quote user="ChezShells"]For some bizaar reason I thought having a debit card would have got me money![/quote]It does in the case of AnOthers' suggestion the nationwide card works in cash points and the rate is good without transaction charges.[/quote]Relying on cards is all well and good but presupposes that when an emergency blind sides you you are in a position to use it. Obviously at airports and ferry terminals etc. your chances of getting hold of cash in a flash are pretty good (but only up to your daily limit of course). If travelling any distance by car I always make sure I have a minimum of a couple of hundred € cash in my wallet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 For fuel, you will find a Leclerc or Intermarche close to most ports of arrival and they all have 24-hour pumps that accept UK cards. If you use a TomTom or similar, they are pre-programmed to find those fuel stations for you.Whenever I arrive at Dieppe, my first stop is always at the local Leclerc to top my tank up before I go onto the autoroutes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChezShells Posted April 18, 2010 Author Share Posted April 18, 2010 [quote user="Théière"][quote user="ChezShells"]For some bizaar reason I thought having a debit card would have got me money![/quote]It does in the case of AnOthers' suggestion the nationwide card works in cash points and the rate is good without transaction charges.[/quote]Plus, I fill up prior to boarding not waiting until I get off the boat.Anyway, last August my UK card wouldnt work, this time it did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted April 18, 2010 Share Posted April 18, 2010 [quote user="Mel"]For fuel, you will find a Leclerc or Intermarche close to most ports of arrival and they all have 24-hour pumps that accept UK cards. If you use a TomTom or similar, they are pre-programmed to find those fuel stations for you. Whenever I arrive at Dieppe, my first stop is always at the local Leclerc to top my tank up before I go onto the autoroutes...[/quote]Just a note on the Dieppe Leclerc, there is a height restriction barrier so transit sized vans will not make it under the barrier [:@] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etoile Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 UK cards do not always work, In LeClerc or Intermarche. Without a French Carte Bleu there is absolutely no guarantee that you will be able to buy fuel anywhere at night. Essential to fill up during the day. I speak from painful experience! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted April 24, 2010 Share Posted April 24, 2010 Don't we all but is that recently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyinfrance Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 We took out Credit Agricole cards with Britline for precisely this purpose: still miffed at the cost (about Euros 50 a year for 2 cards) but it beats being stuck. Last year I came across a Dutch couple at my local Intermarche in Carpentras who had international cards galore (which the pumps wouldn't take) but no cash........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickP Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 [quote user="tonyinfrance"]We took out Credit Agricole cards with Britline for precisely this purpose: still miffed at the cost (about Euros 50 a year for 2 cards) but it beats being stuck. Last year I came across a Dutch couple at my local Intermarche in Carpentras who had international cards galore (which the pumps wouldn't take) but no cash........[/quote]I can only speak from my own experience, for me Nationwide cards have worked all over France and Italy in all sorts of garages in the last 18 months, no problems at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Ditto, no problems since 2006 when I got rid of my French debit card.I usually buy my fuel out of hours and since that date all the pumps at every service station have prompted me to choose the language.I dont think the foreign cards not working out of hours exists any more but of course there are often problems with the card systeml in general as anyone that takes advantage of the lunch (2) hour lull to do their shopping can constate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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