Ryan P Page, Staff Writer
@ryan_page
Yes, you can use chip-and-PIN on a credit card if you have been issued a card with chip-and-PIN enabled. You can use the card by tapping the merchant’s payment terminal or inserting the card’s chip into the card slot and entering a specific four-digit PIN to verify the transaction.
Chip-and-PIN is different than the chip-and-signature system that is popular in the United States. Chip-and signature cards will still sometimes have a PIN, but not to verify purchases. The PIN on a chip-and-signature card is typically used to get a cash advance from an ATM.
If you have a chip-and-PIN card for traveling to places like Europe where the system is more common, it is straightforward to use and is considered more secure.
3 Steps to Use Chip-and-PIN on a Credit Card
- Make sure you have a chip-and-PIN card. Most credit cards will use an EMV chip, but that doesn’t make them chip-and-PIN cards. You will want to contact the issuer to see if you can set a PIN for purchases on a card you currently have, or to confirm if a card has that capability before you apply. If your card doesn’t support a PIN to verify transactions, you will be unable to use the card as a chip-and-PIN card.
- Use your chip-and-PIN card to make a purchase. When you go to pay for your items at a store, you’ll need to tap the payment terminal with the card or insert the card with the chip facing up.
- Confirm and complete your transaction. The screen will typically show your total and ask for you to confirm. Then, you use your PIN to verify your identity. After your PIN is accepted, your transaction will be complete.
You can check out WalletHub’s picks for the best chip-and-PIN cards to research current offers. You can also learn more about chip-and-PIN vs. chip-and-signature cards to compare the benefits and drawbacks of each.
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People also ask
Are cards from American Express chip and PIN?
Yes, credit cards issued by American Express have chip-and-PIN capability. However, there are some banks and credit unions that offer cards on the American Express network without this feature. For example, the USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card is a chip-and-PIN credit card, while the Navy Federal More Rewards Card is a chip-and-signature card. Both types comply with EMV (Euro Mastercard Visa) standards for chip-based cards.
Chip and PIN vs. Chip-and-Signature Capability
- Chip cards are embedded with a computer chip for added...
What if your credit card doesn't have a PIN?
If your credit card doesn’t have a PIN, it typically means that it is either a chip-and-signature card or a store card. Chip-and-signature cards do not require a PIN to verify purchases; instead, they use your signature. The only instance you would need a PIN with these cards is for cash advances at an ATM. Store cards, on the other hand, are only valid for purchases at specific affiliated brands and do not support cash withdrawals, eliminating...
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