Credit card in Holland
We went to the Valkenberg site a few weeks back, and were very surprised to find that credit cards were not accepted in a number of places, such as the supermarket and local bars. Had to resort to cash!! They take cards at the site and at petrol stations, but apparently less accepting elsewhere. Surprised us, thought they were commonly used now, and they certainly are in Amsterdam when we were there a few years ago. Still had a good time though!
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We have not been to Holland for a few years but even then it was difficult to use UK credit cards and debit cards in lots of places. Strangely it was slightly easier in Germany! We even had the situation on one campsite where they added a surcharge for using a credit card. With debit cards I think they have a slightly different system. Here in the UK we tend to use internationally recognised systems but some countries still insist of doing their own thing. Like you we didn't have any problems buying fuel with a credit card especially if it one of the major fuel suppliers like Shell/BP/Esso.
David
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We even had the situation on one campsite where they added a surcharge for using a credit card.
Not permitted after 13 January 2018. New rules which will come into effect will mean you cannot be penalised for choosing to pay by card, either online or in-store.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/cards/2017/07/credit-debit-card-fees-to-be-banned
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We've had problems in Valkenburg, including buying rail tickets and meals, not only with credit cards but with both Visa and MasterCard debit cards. We've also had similar problems in Germany as recently as three weeks ago. In each case we have been asked for Maestro cards which are as rare as hens teeth in UK. We know because we have tried to get one. We used to be able to use Cirrus debit cards before they disappeared. Back to cash or bartering "beans for cows".
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This will probably mean a lot of smaller retailers will impose a substantial minimum purchase on a card, say £50?
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Never had a problem using my Halifax Clarity card or indeed getting a surcharge in the Netherlands. Will be there Saturday and will get a meal and splash and dash with Diesel on my way through and don't expect to have any problems.
On occasions I have, after, using a credit card been ask to sigh the receipt
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But have you been able to use your Clarity Card in a supermarket?
David
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According to a Dutch resident, Jumbo supermarkets - second biggest Dutch chain - have accepted credit cards (even Amex) since 2014
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We had no problems topping up our daughter and son-in-law's OV Chipkaarts (similar to Oyster, but countrywide) at Alkmaar station earlier in the year. No problems accepting credit cards in Jumbo, but couldn't use it in Albert Heijn, however there is usually an ATM near the checkouts where cash can be obtained without problem.
We were able to buy Museum Cards with no problem using our credit cards at Utrecht Transport Museum.
Interestingly the Dutch seem to have invented a verb for using chip and pin cards - "Pinnen". It often seems to just relate to their own banks though.
We use a fee free Nationwide Select Credit Card and a Nationwide Flex Plus bank account - fee free for cash withdrawals.
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Things have obviously moved on a bit since we were last there as we couldn't use any UK cards in any supermarkets. It's a shame about Albert Heijn stores as they are our favourite but as people say you can always use cash.
David
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