I had thought this was raised in a separate thread before (in relation to France), but I can't find it.
Recently went for a short break to Barcelona. While there, used my AIB Platinum card (which is Chip and PIN 'enabled') in several locations to pay for goods and meals. In higher profile stores, I was asked from my passport, but never asked to use my PIN. Restaurants accepted the card without asking for ID.
When departing from the hotel, I offered my card. The manager produced a terminal and I entered my PIN. No joy. Tried 3 times, and he then said that the correspondent bank was saying (via the terminal) that I needed to contact my bank. Now there was no issue with the PIN, so I am confused as to why the card wasn't accpected. I was able to use my Maestro card (and enter the PIN) to pay for the room.
On returning to Ireland, I promptly contacted AIB. They said there was no reason (from their point of view) why my card shouldn't have been accepted, i.e. no suspicious transactions, nowhere near my credit limit etc.
I have since used the card back in Ireland to pay for goods and entered my PIN with no problems.
Anyway, after all that, has anyone had a similar experience while abroad? Have they recieved an explanation?
It is worrying, especially when checking out of a hotel, as this is a sizeable expense (I was not allowed to sign for the payment via CC at the hotel, so I used Maestro). If I hadn't had the option of Maestro, it could have been potentially tricky situation. One workaround would be to pay cash through using your ATM card to withdraw (but not an ideal option), nor is withdrawing cash using your CC (due to charges incurred when doing so).
Recently went for a short break to Barcelona. While there, used my AIB Platinum card (which is Chip and PIN 'enabled') in several locations to pay for goods and meals. In higher profile stores, I was asked from my passport, but never asked to use my PIN. Restaurants accepted the card without asking for ID.
When departing from the hotel, I offered my card. The manager produced a terminal and I entered my PIN. No joy. Tried 3 times, and he then said that the correspondent bank was saying (via the terminal) that I needed to contact my bank. Now there was no issue with the PIN, so I am confused as to why the card wasn't accpected. I was able to use my Maestro card (and enter the PIN) to pay for the room.
On returning to Ireland, I promptly contacted AIB. They said there was no reason (from their point of view) why my card shouldn't have been accepted, i.e. no suspicious transactions, nowhere near my credit limit etc.
I have since used the card back in Ireland to pay for goods and entered my PIN with no problems.
Anyway, after all that, has anyone had a similar experience while abroad? Have they recieved an explanation?
It is worrying, especially when checking out of a hotel, as this is a sizeable expense (I was not allowed to sign for the payment via CC at the hotel, so I used Maestro). If I hadn't had the option of Maestro, it could have been potentially tricky situation. One workaround would be to pay cash through using your ATM card to withdraw (but not an ideal option), nor is withdrawing cash using your CC (due to charges incurred when doing so).