Discover Card Use
I am planning a trip to Switzerland, Italy and Austria this summer. Is the Discover card as widely accepted in Europe as say Visa or American Express??
Kathryn
Joliet 4/26/07
Send Private Message
I don't think so, I wouldn't rely on using Discover - a lot of places in the US aren't even taking it anymore. In all my bookings, plane reservations, etc. for my trip, I haven't seen an option to use discover once. My friend couldn't even use Amex for one of our flights, and it's all she has so i had to book it for her.
Get a free CapitalOne Visa card, they eat all the conversion fees. You can't possibly do any better than that.
Mastercard and Visa are pretty much universally accepted in Europe. AMEX is less common, and I would certainly not rely on a Discover Card because it's not very common here. * Also, be aware that it's more common for smaller shops and cafes not to accept credit cards here because of the costs and US debit cards usually do not work for purchases because the technology is different. So always have cash on hand and a way to access cash (i.e. ATM card).
Don't even bother taking your Discover card. It's not really recognized outside of the US anywhere. As previously mentioned, apply for a Capital One Visa. I can definitely vouch that they eat Visa 1% fee AND they don't charge anythin extra. Unlike most US banks.
Before my trip to Austria, I called Discover, and they told me no, Europe will not take the Discover card.
in europe like most the world - MC and Visa are the way to go (preferably carry one each from diff banks if possible... just incase!). Other than Dinners Club - and AMEX at bigger places - stick to MC/Visa or Cash.