USA and paying with credit/debit card

[saleen836]

As title, it has been a few years since I was last there and wondered if chip and pin was widespread or do they still work ona signature?

[Ross1988]

Signature was still the norm when I was there last year, this was a road trip from Miami to SF to LA. Don't really remember using my pin to buy stuff at all.

[jmorgan]

Just been reading a few guides saying they tend to sign, do not be surprised not to be asked for a pin?

[bigandclever]

To all intents and purposes, chip and pin doesn't exist in the US.

ETA You might find you're asked to provide ID when you buy stuff, so keep your passport on you. It'd be nice to think your photo driving licence would work too, but on occasion I've had that refused - probably because it looks like a fake ID card to the uninitiated

Edited by bigandclever on Saturday 2nd June 16:11

[theboyfold]

You will have to sign for it, also be ready to have photo ID for anything that you try and pay for with cards, you will get asked for it a lot. Your driving licence will be fine.

[davepoth]

When I was last in a Kmart, the till girl asked if I was a Doctor because of my signature. Presumably everyone else that went in there signed the receipts with an X.

[tr7v8]

As others have said they'll demand ID which generally they expect a passport for. Fuel stations very often demand a ZIP code when using a card as well, which is damn difficult as ME5 xyz doesn't work I normally give up & pay in cash. This is despite having an AMEX corporate card issued on behalf of a US company, but registered to my home address.

[The Count]

Ross1988 said:

Signature was still the norm when I was there last year, this was a road trip from Miami to SF to LA. Don't really remember using my pin to buy stuff at all.

Same here. Signature was the norm in New York last month

[fatboy b]

I'm in the USA now. No chip 'n' pin, and most places you don't even have to sign if value is below a certain level. The level varies at each retailer.

[Matt Harper]

Debit transaction - PIN
Credit transaction - Sign (ID may be required)
Fuel advance payment purchases - credit requires zip code, debit, just the PIN.

[saleen836]

Thanks all, Mrs Saleen will be using her credit/debit cards and I have a debit card from my American bank but will still carry my passport just incase they ask for it when myself and Mrs Saleen are in California in September.

[GCH]

Sign and show licence will be fine... chip & pin doesnt exist in the US (still in its very early stages for debit cards here).

For situations it requires a zip code (some ticket machines, gas station pumps etc) just enter 00000 and it should go through just fine.

[Matt Harper]

GCH said:

For situations it requires a zip code (some ticket machines, gas station pumps etc) just enter 00000 and it should go through just fine.

This is not always the case - my local Hess and 7-Eleven gas stations (Orlando FL) as examples.
Here, the zip code entered has to match the billing address for the card for it to be authorized - however I can input any code at my local Racetrac station - this applies to Visa and AmEx, in my experience.

[Adz The Rat]

I used my card a lot there last year and was never asked for ID, apart from when buying alcohol.

[steve_bmw]

I have just been in a bar in new York, everyone else was asked for ID apart from me, and I looked younger than most of the other people, is it just Americans they ask?

[Bungleaio]

When I was in NYC a couple of months ago they asked for a signature on the receipt but didn't check it against the signature on the card. I don't recall having to provide ID and I had transactions up to £200.

steve_bmw said:

I have just been in a bar in new York, everyone else was asked for ID apart from me, and I looked younger than most of the other people, is it just Americans they ask?

I am nearly 32 and english, I was ID'd in just about every bar I went into in the evening but during the day I was never asked.

[theboyfold]

steve_bmw said:

I have just been in a bar in new York, everyone else was asked for ID apart from me, and I looked younger than most of the other people, is it just Americans they ask?

It's state law in California that you need ID to get into a bar. I think it's the same in Nevada, in not 100% certain though.

[uuf361]

Just sign for most things, unlikely to get asked for ID in a lot of places.......but some will, more the outlet shopping places than anywhere else.

[anonymous-user]

GCH said:

For situations it requires a zip code (some ticket machines, gas station pumps etc) just enter 00000 and it should go through just fine.

As has been said this doesn't work too often anymore.

Really annoying when getting petrol using an intl credit card, ive filled my car up about 20times and ive tried the 00000 zip thing(during this time ive tried 3 different credit cards) and its only worked one single time, so its usually a case of having to go into shop to prepay which means you cant get a fill unless you want to make a second visit to the shop to get refunded.

[GCH]

Strange, I spend roughly 50% of the time in the US and it still usually works for me- no issues at all this year, except very randomly a shell filling station on the CA1 just south of san fran last week. Still works in NYC for MTA metrocard machines as well.

I use amex 99.9% of the time- maybe that has something to do with it?