The CHIP Cards

A funny thing happened over the past few years – Europe got some new debit and credit cards while the United States kept the same old magnetic strip cards in circulation. This can prove to be very problematic in some situations because if a card reader only has chip technology, it won’t read your magnetic strip card. You can run into problems almost anywhere: restaurants, bars, stores and, of particular annoyance, automated ticket machines.

Fortunately, american banks are getting their act together and many are offering CHIP equipped cards — if you ask.

The best way to prepare? Give them a call and request a chip card.

Here is a list of verified CHIP cards and banks as of April 2013:

• Andrews Federal Credit Union
• Bank of America Chase
• JPMorgan Palladium Card
• JP Morgan Select Visa Signature
• Chase Hyatt Visa Signature Credit Card
• Chase British Airways Visa Signature Credit Card
• Citi
• Citi Commercial Cards
• Citi ExecutiveSM / AAdvantage® Card
• Fifth Third Bank
• Jack Henry & Associates Payment Processing Solutions
• PSCU Financial Services
• Silicon Valley Bank
• Star One Credit Union
• State Employees Credit Union
• Travelex Cash Passport
• United Nations Federal Credit Union
• Wells Fargo

If your bank isn’t on the list, it will likely be soon because Visa, AMEX and Mastercard are all beginning the migration prcoess.