Frustration, frustration, frustration.
This is the only way to describe trying to use a US-issued credit card in the UK. Unreliable is another.
In this day and age we are so used to having our cards accepted everywhere that we don’t give it a second thought. When your credit card is constantly rejected as a method of payment you become uncomfortable not carrying a pocket full of cash. When was the last time you felt the need to carry cash?
So what is the problem?
The issue is that credit cards issued in the UK have a chip on them. You insert your card in a machine to pay, enter your PIN number, and leave. No signature.
The problem is that our cards in the US do not have the chip.
Also, even though the Visa logo may be displayed, its acceptance is not guaranteed and you can not tell what level of service you will receive. I would say that about 1-in-5 transactions will be completed without you having to say something.
In 2010 I found that if you asked for a supervisor you would generally get someone who knew how to swipe a card and obtain your signature. Not so in 2011. I received all kinds of responses to the sight of my Visa card, including …
- “Sorry, can’t take that card. Company policy: no chip, no sale.”
- “No problem, let me swipe that for you.”
- “Just put it in the machine and it will prompt me to get your signature.”
- “I just got a letter from my card processor (HSBC) saying I can only accept cards with a chip.”
I had my card completely refused by WHSmith (three times), KFC, and a couple of market merchants.
I was about to return my rental card and need to fill the tank. I stopped at a motorway services and after I had half filled the tank I noticed a small sign on the pump telling me that my card was not going to be accepted. Remember that it costs about US$100/UKP65.00 fill your car in the UK.
I even went to the trouble of opening a bank account in England, just so I could get a card with a chip!
I have two questions …
- Why are these vendors allowing themselves to be told to turn away customers?
- How do Visa/Mastercard expect visitors to the UK to pay for things? Surely they don’t recommend cash?