Tony Jones Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 A throw-away remark in Panagah's thread about Millau reminded me to report back: For years, I've avoided automated fuel pumps in France, because our UK Credit Cards wouldn't work in them - and for once it was the FRENCH who were out of step with the rest of Europe, using a different, and incompatible, version of Chip&Pin technology. Year after year attendants and managers have been telling me "next year we'll be coming into line!" However, I was caught short during our recent trip, and in desperation trundled into the 24/7 Station Service. To my surprise and delight, the machine readily accepted my card, and sent me on my way rejoicing, with an almost-full tank (the pump,like many UK ones, had a cash limit per transaction). Have the French finally joined Europe? What experiences have others had this year? Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Ord Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 Three weeks ago on my return from Spain through France I found most supermarkets accepted my card at the pump and several had new installations that had a choice of language also; next on my wish list is for the aires that use cards to join the club. Bill Ord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 I don't think supermarkets are too much of a problem, it's the automated card in pump machines especially when the service station is shut that is the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handyman Posted April 18, 2008 Share Posted April 18, 2008 yes, now accept uk credit cards everywhere (i went). It used to be the tolls that didnt take them as well *-) And i noticed a large reduction in the obsession with paying for everything by cheque Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minstrel Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 We couldn't use our card at an Esso fully automated filling station in March, shame really because the fuel was much cheaper. A couple of years ago we were caught out , finding no ordinary filling statoins somewhere between Caen and Tours we sat and waited at a supermarket filling station until someone arrived and they very kindly used their card to fill us up and we paid them in cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianR Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 The automatic pumps were progressively changed over last year and in the last 6 months I have not had a problem using my UK Visa card in them - except where the pump was not excepting French cards either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Den Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 we did the same thing, kind bloke spoke good english, ex army. paid him cash for the diesel...... but as we pulled away noticed he could'nt reuse his card .......oops!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panagah Posted April 20, 2008 Share Posted April 20, 2008 Our experience is that ours have never worked at the 24/7 unmanned pumps. Even when desperate fo fuel on a Sunday and attempting to use the card. You never know things may have changed since February. The throwaway remark was the actual point of the last thread I started :-D (lol) Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandyAndy Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Hi, Just got back yesterday, used our Nationwide credit card in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany and only once did he go inside to pay and that was Germany, not sure why he did, she was probably better looking than the rest!! No problems at any of them and 4 of them where the 24hr kind, maybe we where just lucky. Mandy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wirralian Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 We have also just travelled through France on our return from Spain and found that our Nationwide credit card was accepted for fuel at the Intermarche supermarket at Bidart. John and Maureen Lewis (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggyd Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Mandy&Andy - 2008-04-21 6:15 AM Hi, Just got back yesterday, used our Nationwide credit card in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany and only once did he go inside to pay and that was Germany, not sure why he did, she was probably better looking than the rest!! No problems at any of them and 4 of them where the 24hr kind, maybe we where just lucky. MandyIs that Nationwide Credit or Debit card? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wirralian Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Hi Maggyd It would have been the Nationwide credit card as that is the card we used to pay for all fuel on our recent trip abroad. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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