Oyibopeppeh

Do any of the banks here in UAE issue these?

More and more retailers in the UK seem to be rejecting swipe cards.

ctfc

Lloyds TSB - all are chip and pin.

Meow

I think most of the latest cards have a chip and pin facility. Not all retailers in the UAE use this though.

Bob

They shouldn't...lot of countries don't use the system, the US is one of the big ones that is still in the dark ages and it's not been a problem for most people, they just mention they aren't UK residents to don't have a chip/pin card, some have to pay at a customer service desk though.

auzdafluff

It's just misinformed staff. I had an argument with a girl at a checkout in a store last year because she said she couldn't let me sign for my purchase because it was a chip and pin card; I had to enter my PIN, despite the fact that it spewed out a signing form. She just wouldn't accept it was an HSBC Middle East card and not a UK one, despite the Arabic on the back.

It's the same with the credit cards. Just point out the Arabic on the back and they should be fine. Otherwise demand to speak to the supervisor.

Oyibopeppeh

I've had issues with two electrical retailers - who said that they only accept chip & pin cards and another time at Tesco who wouldn't accept a swipe card for any purchase over £100.

busybee2

they are going to be bringing them in soon i believe.

busybee2

when ever i have used in the uk you just have to explain that there is no pin and that it will spit out a slip for you to sign, never had any probs

Autonomy

Same really - Emirates NBD debit card is chip and pin, Citibank credit card (even though quite new version) is swipe.... not had any probs with swipe UK or elsewhere really....

csdf

HSBC cards are chip and pin - though I've only ever had to use the PIN function once over here in the sandpit.

scottrace

On the same sort of topic - does anyone know why UK visa debit cards dont work here in Bahrain?

I can use it in the cashpoint quite happily but cant use it to buy anything in shops - declined everytime (and yes I do have funds before anyone asks .

Have spent countless hours and money on the phone to the bank in the UK and their answer is that the machines here are broken - um dont think so.

Anyone else have this experience or know how to deal with it - its a real pain especially at this time of year having to visit the cashpoint on multiple days.

Thanks

csdf

I get it all the time with my Natwest debit card: the card machine spits out an "offline declined" error, which I think is a result of Natwest refusing to allow the card to be used unless in a chip and PIN machine

scottrace

Ah -mine is Natwest too.

Is there anything we can do?

Eeyore

We have an HSBC debit card that's C&P, but when I asked if we could get our credit card changed to C&P they said that they only offer it for debit cards. Has that changed now?

Even the debit card is less useful than it should be, because although it's got the Visa logo on it and it works in shops in the UK, for some bizarre reason you can't use it for online purchases. I've also discovered that because it has a 6-digit PIN it won't work over the counter at Trading Enterprises, since their swipe card unit only allows a 4-digit PIN, and if it's a C&P card they refuse to let you sign.