Credit card use in Istanbul and Athens?

[sf]

going there in December, and I fear that my savings will not be enough. I will take a couple credit cards as backup. Will this work? Which ones should I bring? Should I just sell my *lens* for extra cash?

 

[Tuna]

Visa or Mastercard will be fine in Istanbul - and, depending on where you are staying, you will also be able to get cash from your card at the hotel front desk. The exchange rate is very nice - your $ will go far. Enjoy your trip.

Tuna

 

[mfunnell]

Just a small piece of advice: make sure you use real credit cards not, say, a MasterCard or Visa branded debit card. (That is, you want to take cards of the type that give you monthly revolving credit, rather than cards which take funds directly from your bank account.) The arrangements for dispute resolution, refunds in the event of loss etc. are far better with "real" credit cards. Personally I also avoid using ATM cards and debit cards in places where I'm not quite sure who the machine belongs to and what its connected to (in SE Asia there's quite a market in "off-brand" ATMs and dodgy POS devices that record your details and allow scammers to clone your card and PIN).

I don't know anything about Greece or Turkey in these regards, and you may have to pay a small extra fee to use a credit card, but in the event of a dispute or fraud it might be better to be safe than sorry.

...Mike

 

[ZeMane]

Hi George!

I agree with Tuna: both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. From my personal experience in Istambul one year ago, you can use your credit card safely for your purchases (I think I paid all my meals with Visa at restaurants).
Try to avoid changing money at the airport (rates are worst). Staff at local banks is quite competent and, downtown branches use to speak a few english (getting acostumated to tourism).
You can even use the cards in the Grand Bazaar shops, although I recommend bringing plenty of cash (notes) there and get ready for bargaining or haggling!!

Enjoy your trip!!!

PD: never been to Athens yet, but lot of friends did and never heard a problem using credit/debit cards.

 

[rxmd]

You should have no problem using Eurocard/Mastercard/Visa cards. I used my ATM card, too, without problems.

When you go to Istanbul, make sure you go to the Sirkeci area, there used to be lots of camera and photographic equipment shops there (I haven't been there for three or four years, but I don't think it has changed).

Philipp

 

[kully]

Hallo,

Best bet is not to use the Credit card to get cash, you'll be stung with interest from the day you withdraw the money.

I travelled across Turkey in 1999 and even then the most remote, tiniest little town in the middle of nowhere had an ATM machine which took Maestro, Switch, Visa, Mastercard &c.

And for haggling hard money is always better than a card.

Good luck in Turkey, it's a grand place and a great place to get into water pipes.

 

[Pherdinand]

And watch out for the turkish and greek girls, they are a real threat to young guys like you (or me) 😀

 

[photogdave]

Set aside some cash to carry as travelers' cheques and convert as needed. As already noted, cash is much better for bartering, and believe me, you'll be bartering!!
Use the credit cards for daily expenses like hotels, restaurants etc. While shopping in the bazaars and such NEVER LET THEM TAKE YOUR CREDIT CARD OUT OF YOUR SIGHT!
Have a safe and fun trip! Also, never feel bad about saying NO to anyone or anything.

 

[sf]

Thanks, people. I really appreciate your input.

No debit cards are coming with me. No money in the bank anyway...all that will be turned into traveler's checks. Some into TUrkish Lyra and Some into Euros.

I will take American Express (the card without limits), and a Mastercard.

I'm an easy sell, but I will try not to fall for their pitches too hard.

 

[telenous]

George,

between the AMEX and the MC, the second will be more widely accepted. Since you are taking both, it's fine. In Athens don't be surprised if they ask you for an id when you use your card. Greeks still do not use as much credit cards, and shops generally verify the transaction via an id (national identity card usually - but passport will do just as well). BTW driving licence is not recognised as a means of id, like it is in the US.

I expect to be in Athens for Xmas, drop a PM if you wish, perhaps we can have a couple of glasses of ouzo ;-) Enjoy your trip.

Best
Alkis

 

[photogdave]

You guys should meet up at The Flying Pig. Great pub!

 

[sf]

George,

between the AMEX and the MC, the second will be more widely accepted. Since you are taking both, it's fine. In Athens don't be surprised if they ask you for an id when you use your card. Greeks still do not use as much credit cards, and shops generally verify the transaction via an id (national identity card usually - but passport will do just as well). BTW driving licence is not recognised as a means of id, like it is in the US.

I expect to be in Athens for Xmas, drop a PM if you wish, perhaps we can have a couple of glasses of ouzo ;-) Enjoy your trip.

Best
Alkis

I will drop you a line if I am in Athens. We are actually planning on being in Turkey at that point, however.

 

[cbass]

Umm...you have probably done this already but don't forget to let your card issuers know the dates that you will be overseas and the countries that you will visit. You don't want them to cancel your card in the mistaken belief that someone has stolen it.

Some years ago, my Mastercard almost got cancelled because my wife used it in New York City. Considering that we lived in New Jersey at the time (a mere 12 miles west of Times Square, but technically in a different state), I considered this to be an overly intrusive monitoring effort on behalf of Mastercard. Still, at least they were paying attention...🙄

Have fun and enjoy your trip. Bring back photos.

 

[sf]

Umm...you have probably done this already but don't forget to let your card issuers know the dates that you will be overseas and the countries that you will visit. You don't want them to cancel your card in the mistaken belief that someone has stolen it.

Some years ago, my Mastercard almost got cancelled because my wife used it in New York City. Considering that we lived in New Jersey at the time (a mere 12 miles west of Times Square, but technically in a different state), I considered this to be an overly intrusive monitoring effort on behalf of Mastercard. Still, at least they were paying attention...🙄

Have fun and enjoy your trip. Bring back photos.

thanks for this. I didn't even consider that angle. Will get on it tonight!