Why the heck don't our banks and credit companies offer microchipped cards? Seems to me that it would cut down on Identity Theft and save them a bundle, as well as protect us!

Posted By Linda Layne on July 26, 2007, 2:12 AM

It's unlikely to change, at least in the direction you imply that you're thinking. Credit cards including microchips are well-established in Europe, and are required at many (if not most) self serve gas stations, as well as an increasing number of retail outlets.

What will change is North American credit cards. According to a now year old story in Canadian Business magazine () the issuing of 'chip and pin' credit cards will begin in Canada this year (2007) and the changeover will be completed by 2010.

Regards,
Barry

Posted By Barry on July 26, 2007, 3:18 AM

And you were surprised by this? I bet the French & the Europeans weren't. I lived in West Gremany in the 50's & the 80's .They were light years ahead of us then!

Posted By K Arnold on July 26, 2007, 4:16 AM

That's a great program, it's a shame they didn't enable it for American credit cards.
I would have loved to use them during my trip to Paris in October.
Maybe their system will be fixed by then.....

Mike

Posted By Mike on July 26, 2007, 6:29 AM

This is why Europeans often have feelings of disdain for Americans... we want everyone to cater to us! American credit card (and cell phone) companies should make sure their products allow us to use them anywhere, instead of giving us inferior, less-advanced products that aren't compatible with the rest of the world.

Posted By Marianne on July 26, 2007, 6:55 AM

The bike usage program is only one of many payment situations in Europe requiring chip 'n pin cards. Many short trip train ticket vending machines (Geneva airport and CDG RER spring to mind as my most recent experiences in a very long list) require a chip 'n pin and a passcode. Fortunately, the Geneva train vending machines accept AMEX, but not all of the chip 'n pin machines do. Also, if you go to the ticket window and tell the cashier your card is a "foreign cc," the chip 'n pin feature can be overridden. The person can "dumb down" the system to accept USA-issued cards. In NYC, for example, subway/transit vending machines require only the zip code attached to the card (5 digits), which is not the same level of security measure. The pin with chip 'n pin is 4 digits.
When will the USA bring itself up to international standards? We are such laggards in so many ways! (We won't even talk about the train and subway systems or cell phones in the USA).

Posted By Elise Edwards on July 26, 2007, 6:58 AM

The Paris bike system doesn't need to "be fixed." It isn't broken. American credit-card issuing companies are the ones in need of fixing. We are being given outmoded technology because it would be too expensive for them to stay up to date...of course, the fees we pay for the privilege of using the cards doesn't reflect that.

Posted By Anne on July 26, 2007, 9:31 AM

Stop this US bashing. Every time Europe is inventing something we don't have to follow. Get a cab.

Posted By Denes on July 26, 2007, 10:07 AM

Thank you Denes - you took the words right out of my mouth. The "disdain" some other people feel for Americans is largely based on jealousy. We live in the greatest country in the history of the world.I am getting tired of some Americans being apologists for people with low opinions of us.

Posted By Keven on July 26, 2007, 10:34 AM

Amazing - although you receive a travel magazine, the two of you must never travel if you believe that America is the end all and be all (greatest country in history!?) Not only are you missing out on some amazing experiences while traveling in wonderful countries by being so close minded, you are happily limiting Americans by not wanting to "follow along". Why wouldn't we follow when something better, safer, and more efficient is invented? As a seasoned traveler I agree that the US is light years behind in many technologies, and all it does is limit the possibilities of American travelers, not make us better! We need to join the international community rather than be such isolationists!

Posted By Cathy on July 26, 2007, 11:01 AM

America is a great country but we are lacking in technological advances already implemented in Europe. And here is the key--we should be leaders in advances not reluctant/eventual followers. Why aren't we implementing these technologies first?

Posted By Gia on July 26, 2007, 11:15 AM

It's not US bashing, it's criticism of US credit card companies (unless, of course, you equate credit card companies with the entire US). They should be criticized for not upgrading to better security measures that would help stem the tide of identity theft and fraud.

Next you'll be telling us that our criticism of our financial institutions emboldens terrorists!

Posted By Aaron on July 26, 2007, 11:31 AM

Wow...slow down folks! Contrary to popular beliefs, French and other Europeans have a great amount of empathy with Americans, in spite of recent political stress. The bike program in Paris is a super idea. There are still some quirks, the credit card chip issue is one. I can assure all american visitors this was not meant as a slight, perhaps an oversight or a technical limitation. I believe this will be fixed, probably faster than the US credit card companies will upgrade their technology. Hang in there. How sweet can it be to bike through some lovely Paris streets on a sunny afternoon!

Posted By John H on July 26, 2007, 11:58 AM

Please let me clarify. I have no illusions that we as a country are perfect. However, I stand behind my statement that relative to the countless benefits we enjoy by simply being American citizens, we are, in fact, the greatest country in the world today and there is no country in history that offered its people the standard of living that we enjoy. The fact that we are free to travel and so many of us have the financial wherewithal to do so illustrates this point. Statements like, "This is why Europeans often have feelings of disdain for Americans" get under my skin because it makes a social statement that is believed by many, but not necessarily true. Pardon me for being a bit defensive, but all one needs to do is read the paper or turn on the television to know that there are too many people out there that are willing to bash their homeland at every opportunity and frankly, I'm tired of it.

Posted By Keven on July 26, 2007, 12:53 PM

I agree with Cathy, Denes and Keven appear not to travel and have no appreciation for European technology and advances. Most European progressiveness has been spurred due to the high cost of energy, which forced them to be energy effecient LONG ago! Small cars, bikes, vespas, awesome rail systems are nothing new there, yet we are so far behind the ball, it is sad. When are WE, as Americans, going to demand low cost alternative transportation? Why can't we have a train system that rivals Europe rather than the embarrassment that our Amtrak is?

Posted By Cheri on July 26, 2007, 1:07 PM

I can completely understand the need for a legitimate micro-chip credit card for rental use of bicycles in European cities! Why don't you campaign the U.S. to add micro-chips asap? I am sure those bikes would disappear in one season if the service did not guard them closely. Yes, they would have your credit card number and could charge your account, but it's not a bike purchase service! I am sure they don't want to have to buy new bikes everytime a tourist rides off with their bikes!

Posted By Fran on July 26, 2007, 1:10 PM

Keven -thats all very well but the lady had a point- 'disdain' is just about the word to describe what many other nationals project these days but I wouldnt say it was provoked by our lack of technological upgrades but by our beloved warring president & war cabinet & the war-profits party they belong to. When they & the 'we're the worlds greatest' thinking they promote has been replaced you & I can enjoy foreign travel more I feel sure--

Posted By neil on July 26, 2007, 4:00 PM

Cheri, do you drive a hybrid or ride a bike, always fly coach and live in less than 2,000 sq. ft that you never air condition? One of the best ways to begin to change things is to start with ourselves. However if you want to pay the same level of taxes Europeans pay to create "low-cost" transport you are welcome to send the IRS extra money every year. Some of us prefer to keep more of what we EARN.

Posted By Robin on July 27, 2007, 1:22 AM

Did anyone consider that having the chip inside the credit card contributes more to the atmosphere of a "big brother" society that Americans disdain more than Europeans perhaps? Or do the Europeans not realize it.

Posted By Al Chou on July 27, 2007, 3:27 AM

Keven, if by "standard of living" you mean being awash in material goods, well, that we are. I, for one, would be happy to trade the mass-produced Wal-goods to give up having to work 2 jobs, while going to school and raising kids. I am not even middle aged and I am exhausted to the core! Vacations?!? A travel magazine helps me dream, but I cannot go. Incidently, I was top-of-my-class, have an outstanding work ethic and a college education. Doesn't help much. I'd rather be in Europe, with decent public transportation, a truly free education (not like here where I have to write check after check for student fee, activity fee, book fee.. etc. Free education is a joke)! Oh, yes, let's not forget that I would have health care coverage. I did not get paid maternity leave, I don't get more than 15 minutes for lunch (if that), and forget vacations- I cannot realistically expect to retire, ever. So, perhaps you are one of the few rich who are living off the backs of the rest of us, but stop claiming to represent us, then. Highest standard of living? Definitely not.

Posted By Jeanne on July 27, 2007, 2:22 PM

The French know what they are doing. They make foreigners pay like the U.S. should do, i.e., the Smithsonian for one. Why should we let foreigners visit our museums for free?
Why not show a U.S. driver's license or passport to get into the Smithsonian museums? Nothing is free in Europe.
The government complains of lack of funds - make foreigners pay.

Posted By Michael D. Arlington, VA on July 27, 2007, 3:20 PM

Kevin and Robin have it right. I've traveled all over Europe as well as Mexico and South America, and for all the interesting sights I've seen I wouldn't want to live anywhere but the USA. Europeans put up with outrageous tax burdens and bureaucracy that stifle progress. The few minor technical advantages that some European countries have pale in comparison to the living standard of average middle class Americans.

Posted By Tony on July 28, 2007, 11:48 AM

When the chip-and-PIN terminals were introduced in Britain three years ago, banks touted them as being much safer that the old-fashioned magnetic strip cards we still use here in the States. However, some clever security researchers at Cambridge found a way to hack the new terminals to make them play Tetris, thus demonstrating that they are not impervious to fraud:
http://www.lightbluetouchpaper.org/2006/12/24/chip-pin-terminal-playing-tetris/

Posted By Marilyn Terrell on July 28, 2007, 5:17 PM

Getting back to the topic...BIKES...Living in Paris now--and have met about a dozen Americans in the last week or so who have rented the Velib bikes, using their plastic from the States...no worries. Actually, the only people who have had a problem that I have known are my Italian friends here as their standard bank cards are often not even accepted at most local ATMs...I don't have any technical jargon and stats to back this up, other than the fact that I am here and have had no problems.

Posted By Camaran on July 30, 2007, 5:56 AM

Hi Camaran,
Your post is highly intriguing, especially since I'm in the Budget Travel offices in New York and cannot try to rent a Vélib bike myself. If anyone in Paris right now can try the system with a regular US swipe credit card and report back, I'd love it!
-Laura MacNeil
Associate Editor

Posted By Laura MacNeil on July 30, 2007, 5:23 PM

Laura,

I am in Paris now and had the problem with my non-chip card today. As I was trying to rent the bike some other Americans told me of this problem and said that you can enter your credit card online and the rental kiosk will take the card. I have found no such site, the velib site is in french with no english version (please I understand and fully appriciate that a French government web site is in French. I am not saying anything about one society of people being better than any other. I love French people as I love all people. I just want to rent a velo on my dayoff of work)
Can anyone help?

Posted By Paul on August 4, 2007, 4:09 PM

Hi Paul,
Thanks for writing in! I appreciate the on-the-ground feedback.
I poked around the Velib' website again. So far, the one day and weekly "abonnements," or subscriptions, are only available directly through the kiosks. Those Americans might be referring to the annual subscription that you can apply for through the Velib's online form. If you live in Paris that might be a good way to go. Here's a direct link to it: https://abofr-velib.cyclocity.fr/service/subscribe
Since the website is currently only in French, filling it out is another challenge; your options are winging it or wrangling the assistance of a fluent-in-French friend.
Bon courage!

Laura MacNeil
Associate Editor

Posted By Laura MacNeil on August 6, 2007, 2:05 PM

Hi Laura -

After a long weekend in Paris, I report back that the machines do, in fact, work with some, not all, American credit cards. Only one in fact - American Express. I also confirmed this with the Press people in the Mayor's office - and it's true - the only non-microchip cards accepted are AMEX, and two others I'm unfamiliar with: "JB and Dinners." Maybe they meant Diner's Club.

Best, and happy biking to everyone.

Anna

Posted By Anna McDonald on August 10, 2007, 12:09 PM

It's the same in most of Europe. I can't purchase train tickets at the automatic machine in Amsterdam or pay for my meal at the table in London without a card with a microchip. Hey, USA, how about putting these on our cards, instead of expecting the rest of the world to change for us?

Posted By Katie on August 17, 2007, 1:57 PM

It is interesting how this discussion of credit cards and chip n' pins has turned into something more profound, but it is an indication of what is going on in the US right now. I think one of the real tragedies that exists in the US and this is a big factor in the state of the economy and politics here right now is the conflation of criticism of corporations and financial institutions with criticism of Americans and the United States. It is a real tragedy that so many people conflate corporate America with America, especially when voting Americans do this. The fact is millions of people are losing their homes and the gap between rich and poor is obscene. To those who say, "America love it or leave it" we need to respond, "America, change it or lose it!"

Posted By Sharon on February 5, 2008, 7:09 PM

Wow. I wish this was a better publicized problem. It is March 2008, and we have spent TWO DAYS trying to rent a Velib, and no one at the kiosks, tourists or locals, nor the Velib Info operator, could tell us why our creidt cards were rejected. The web site says NOTHING. We have just felt like tearing every hair out of our head. you can't rent short term tickets online. It really is so upsetting. It's Monday, there's no one around, and I'd love to go biking!

susie

Posted By Susie Bright on March 24, 2008, 10:07 AM

Quite simply, the fantastic Vélib system caters to the vast majority who will use it. It's a question of cost efficiency.

Consider the fact that only 18% of Americans own passports. Many of them are recent immigrants who wish to return home now and then. Then there are those who use the passports for ID and those who only need them to travel to Canada and Mexico. Those who actually travel abroad statistically visit Britain most. There are still many who visit Paris, but many of them are older tourists visiting in tour groups.

I don't know how many American tourists ending up in Paris are actually in the target group for using Vélib, but it doesn't seem very cost efficient for the City of Paris to cater to them.

The Vélib system caters to locals and frequent visitors, first and foremost. And it uses the technology that these people use. Then you have half a billion chip-equipped citizens in the EU, plus those European countries not in the EU, 120 million Japanese, the Chinese [60 million who are richer than you and me and travel more than you and me] - and many of these people travel to Paris and are in the target group.

Expecting the Vélib system to cater to magnetic strips is optimistic. It's merely the most cost efficient solution.

I still have a VHS machine in the basement, but i don't complain to my local film rental shop because they only rent DVDs now. It's business. Technology rolls on and cost efficiency follows as best it can.

Posted By Mikael on May 13, 2008, 1:54 PM