Page 34 - Tuscany & Umbria: Rustic Beauty in the Italian Heartland

ATMs

When using the ATM, keep in mind that it may only accept cards from local banks, and may
not allow cash advances on credit cards; you might need to try more than one ATM or more
than one card.

Many banks charge a fee of $1-$5 each time you use a foreign ATM. Others may charge you a
percentage of the amount you withdraw. We recommend that you check with your bank before
you depart.

Lastly, don’t forget to memorize the actual digits of your card’s PIN number (many keypads at
foreign ATMs do not include letters on their keys—they only display numbers.)

Italy: ATMs are available throughout large cities and small towns in Italy.

Credit & Debit Cards

Even if you don’t plan on using a credit card during your trip, we still suggest that you bring
one or two as a backup, especially if you are planning a large purchase (artwork, jewelry).
We also suggest that you bring more than one brand of card (i.e. Visa, MasterCard, American
Express) if possible, because not every shop will take every card. For example, although the
Discover card is accepted in some countries outside the U.S., it is not widely adopted, so other
brands will work at a much larger range of stores, restaurants, etc.

Italy: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Italy. Occasionally a small “Mom and Pop”
restaurant will be cash only, and street vendors or taxis usually are cash only, but most other
businesses will take cards.

Chip Cards
Many countries have adopted a new type of credit card that has an embedded computer chip.
These cards are inserted into the reader instead of swiped. The card owner then authorizes the
purchase using a PIN instead of signing.

This new technology is only now gaining traction in the U.S., so occasionally there are
machines in other countries that can’t read U.S. cards. Or the machine can read the card, but
asks for a PIN. This doesn’t happen often, and is nothing to worry about. You can usually
resolve the situation by asking the cashier to let you sign. (If you don’t speak the language,
just mime signing on your hand.) If you are not able to sign for a purchase, such as at an
automated ticket booth, you can use another form of payment, such as a debit card that
has a PIN.

Notify Card Providers

Many credit card companies and banks have fraud alert departments that will freeze your card
if they see suspicious charges—such as charges or withdrawals from another country. To avoid
an accidental security block, it is a good idea to notify your credit card company and/or bank

34