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In Ireland, American Express cards aren\u2019t as popular as Mastercard or Visa, but in some places you can still pay with them.<\/p>
If you want to make a cash withdrawal with an Amex card, look for Bank of Ireland or Centra ATMs.\n <\/p><\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Chip-and-PIN credit cards<\/h3>
In Ireland, you can use chip-and-PIN or chip-and-signature cards wherever credit cards are accepted.<\/p>
Is it safe to use my credit card in Ireland?<\/h3>
As far as safety goes, you can freely use your card in Ireland. However, there are some precautions you can take for increased security:<\/p>
- Use an ATM within a bank.<\/b> If for some reason the ATM eats your card, you\u2019ll be able to quickly retrieve it. Also, ATMs within banks are less likely to be tampered with. Should you use one outside a bank, check for devices attached to the reader and cash return slot.<\/li>
- Take two credit cards.<\/b> You can use your primary card for payments and keep your back-up card in your hotel room safety deposit box. That way, you\u2019ll never be left without money.<\/li>
- Keep your card in sight.<\/b> Card cloning is rare in Ireland, but just in case, don\u2019t let your card out of your sight.<\/li><\/ul>
How to prepare before traveling to Ireland<\/h3>- Get a credit card without foreign transaction fees.<\/b> If you travel often, avoiding the 3% foreign transaction fee can save you a lot of money. Consider getting a travel card, as they usually have no foreign transaction fees.<\/li>
- Opt for a Mastercard or Visa.<\/b> They\u2019re the most-widely accepted cards and Ireland is no exception, though you can\u2019t still use your American Express cards in some locations. There are also enough ATMs around if you want to withdraw cash with these cards as well.<\/li>
- Get a back-up card.<\/b> Try to always carry a second card when traveling abroad, given you don\u2019t know what could happen to your primary card.<\/li>
- Get some cash.<\/b> In general, you can pay with plastic almost anywhere in Ireland. But if you want to make a cash withdrawal, keep in mind that credit cards have additional fees while most debit cards don\u2019t.<\/li>
- Inform your bank you\u2019re traveling to Ireland.<\/b> If you don\u2019t let your bank know ahead of time the dates you\u2019ll be away and where you\u2019ll be, it may block your card if it suspects the charges are fraudulent.<\/li>
- Get your bank\u2019s phone number.<\/b> If you lose your card or have payment issues, you\u2019ll be able to call the bank to resolve it.<\/li><\/ol>
Do taxis in Ireland accept credit cards?<\/h4>
Some do, but most of them don\u2019t accept credit cards. If you want to pay for your ride with a card, consider the mytaxi app for iOS and Android devices. With the app, you can also book a cab a few days in advance to pick you up from the airport.<\/p><\/div><\/article>
Bottom line<\/h3>
If you travel to Ireland, you can safely use your credit card to make payments and withdraw cash. You\u2019ll just have to be careful to not incur fees you can otherwise avoid. With a decent travel credit card, you\u2019ll avoid paying foreign transaction fees. By simply declining the DCC when offered, you\u2019ll also avoid a poor exchange rate or commission.<\/p>
Compare cards with fee-free currency conversion in Ireland<\/h3>Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first<\/div>