Travel Suitcase - Author, Producer, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

How do you avoid this growing problem? Well, one way, obviously, is not to travel unless you have to for some particular reason. As our last article stated, times are tough all over, and traveling is an expense many people are foregoing, for now, at least. However, some people just can’t do this, such as students, businesspersons, those with jobs that require travel, and those needing to visit friends or relatives. For these people, and for others who still want to travel, but need to do it as cheaply as possible, here are some more cost-cutting methods to use. Follow them, and they will save you money. These are designed for all cost-conscious travelers, and not just those going on vacation. If you combine these measures with those mentioned in our previous article, you can further, and considerably, defray the costs of travel.

FLYING: We’ve talked about researching airlines. However, no matter which one you end up with, as the saying goes, “it ain’t cheap” these days. Airlines are getting very good at tacking on hidden fees any which way they can. They do this by taking away free services, cutting employee staff, and generally charging more for existing services, as well as inventing new fees. These include fuel surcharge taxes, charges for reserving flights over the phone instead of the Internet, and added costs for checking baggage, among other things. Weight limits for luggage are being strictly observed by airlines these days. Why? Well, one reason is that if you slip up on this, “they” make more money. Go even slightly over that weight limit and it can really cost you! Checking extra bags will cost you. And for some airlines, even that first checked bag will have a charge coming with it.

Airline Travel Services - Take Off -Author MarekV, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Also, some are charging for the use of headphones, even onboard food, and standard, non-alcoholic beverages. One friend of mine flew from Jamaica home to Raleigh. When he found out that he had to pay seven dollars for a measly cheese and tomato sandwich, and extra besides that for a beverage to go with it, he was so furious that he refused. Result? He arrived home thirsty and very hungry, after not having eaten anything of consequence for an entire day.

Yes, I know that most people don’t think seven dollars is very much. But add on drinks, add it coming and going, and add the costs of any other family members you are paying for, and believe me, that then becomes a substantial cost. What’s that old saying; “watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves?” The airlines, hotels, and everyone else are sure doing it, so you had better think about doing it, too, if only as a defensive measure. You don’t want to become the proverbial “plucked pigeon,” monetarily speaking, just because you want to travel abroad.

So Rule Number 1: Call or go online and find out what all air flight charges are going to be. I mean the TOTAL charges for that flight, including the return trip; from fuel surcharges, taxes, and costs for extra baggage,to prices for headphones, food, and anything else for which they may want extra money from you. That “low” advertised price for a ticket will have expenses added to it; believe me, and sometimes, a lot! To know the total price, you must take the time to inquire up front. Otherwise, you could be very unhappily surprised and only after you’ve purchased your ticket.

Author, Sfllaw, Hong Kong International Airport Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Check to make sure that things you assume are free are in fact, still without a charge. And, try to think BYOB, if you want to save costs and cut corners. That is, bring along with you whatever you can legally do so to defray costs. If they charge you for food, this can include some easy-to-eat food or prepackaged snacks. Beverages are a problem because of liquid prohibitions on planes, but you can supply your own headphones and such, at least. And remember to do this for both legs of the trip, coming and going. If they are charging for that little pack of peanuts, bring a package of your own for you, and for your family members. Again, these so-called “nickel and dime” costs can really add up, if you aren’t careful. The airlines know this, and so play this game. If it wasn’t worth their while to “nickel and dime” you, they wouldn’t bother – trust me!

Rule Number 2: After you have purchased your ticket, pay particular attention to your baggage. Again, airlines now often charge for extra baggage, and many charge even for that first piece of checked luggage. Go over the weight limits (or even the size limits), and you could be paying a hefty extra fee.

So remember that old adage; “he who travels light, travels quickly.” And remember, in this case, “he,” or “she,” will also travel more cheaply. So take stock of what you are taking. Consider the items carefully. When traveling to Europe, I pack layered clothing. By this, I mean I pack undershirts, shirts, sweaters, and a light jacket. Combined, all these can come to less than the weight of a single full coat, and yet offer the same warmth, if necessary. Also, this method is flexible. It allows me more choice in what I choose to wear, how much I wear, and when.

Combination Suitcase And Chair Public Domain, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Think about what you really don’t need to take. Travel irons for pressing wrinkled clothes, hair dryers, even such sundry items as toothbrushes, razors, shampoo, soaps, and such, can usually be had at the destination hotel, most of the time for free. Almost all hotels I stay at (and these aren’t expensive ones, by any means), supply irons, hair dryers, shampoo, and soap. And if these aren’t to your liking, then local shops will supply them cheaply. Buy small quantities, enough to last your stay, so you aren’t wasting money in this respect. Better to do this than pay as much as $50.00 extra because you are just a pound or so over your weight limit. That would equal one very expensive bottle of shampoo! Even if there are two of you, airlines don’t average the weight of bags. If one is over a pound, and the other is still under by several pounds, it doesn’t matter. You will still pay extra!

Rule Number 3: Have a meal, if necessary, before going to the airport. Or, bring along a snack, even a beverage. You may not be able to take liquids on the flight, but if you haven’t passed through security yet, you usually can have beverages in the main terminal. Food and drink in airports can be enormously expensive, depending on the airport. And if you get hungry while waiting for your flight, or you are just in between flights, airline food can add on costs to your trip and in a hurry! For two adults, a simple meal with a beer, for instance, at some airports, can run you $60.00 or more. So try not to give in to temptation while at the air terminal. It can cost you. The simple expedience of bringing along a bag of trail mix, or a candy bar or two, could save you big bucks – coming and going!

GROUND TRANSPORTATION: When traveling to other countries, check ahead of time as to what ground transportation is available, where it is located (with regard to airports, points of interest, and hotels). Find out the different methods and ascertain which are the cheapest and most expedient.

Subways: Although subways are usually a great bargain just about anywhere, if you are lugging heavy baggage along, climbing and descending numerous flights of stairs, struggling to get suitcases onto trains, pushing through rush-hour crowds, then subways may not be a good idea. (This is another reason to travel light, baggage-wise.) However, subways are usually very cheap and I use them. If you are planning to stay in one city for a while, you can usually get multiple-day passes, which are a real bargain. Do it.

Buses: I also use bus lines. These, too, often have multiple-day passes. In London, I buy a pass that allows me to use either the “tube” or the bus service for several days. It’s absolutely the cheapest way to get to just about anywhere in that city, and even some points beyond it. Again, lots of luggage can be a problem for this method, struggling on and off buses with heavy bags, but it’s still a very good and cheap way to go.

Taxies: Taxies in Europe or the United Kingdom, as well as other places, are usually the most expensive way to travel, and sometimes the drivers can be a bit shady, although I’m sure most are not. However, as an example, I came out of the “tube” (subway) at Notting Hill Gate in London. I hailed a taxi to take me to my hotel, which was nearby (where exactly, I didn’t know). He didn’t recognize the name of the hotel and so couldn’t find it. I told him it had to be within a few streets of the station at most, according to the description the hotel manager had given me over the phone. Nine British Pounds Sterling later, we arrived at the hotel. It was around the corner from the subway station, not more than 75 feet away. Was the driver being honest in not knowing the location of the place? I just don’t know. But in American money at the time, that cost me $20.00 to find out my hotel was less than a hundred feet from where I had hailed the taxi. Why did I hail a taxi? Because I had lots of luggage on that trip, that’s why. See what I mean about traveling light? Yes…I learned the hard way.

eurostar european high speed train Author, Leon Brocard, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Trains: Trains in Europe are generally a good bargain, and although not so much in the United Kingdom, they still are much better than here in the United States. Also, both mainland Europe and the United Kingdom have very good train systems. Although the British system over the last ten years has worsened some, in my opinion, they still travel to many places. Trains are often, and the rides are comfortable. You can “get there from here,” on them in mainland Europe, and the United Kingdom. However, as mentioned in the prior article, you might want to consider renting a car if you plan many long-distance trips, because train fares can really add up over time, especially if more than one person is traveling.

Car Rentals: First, please understand this; car rentals always cost more than the advertised price, almost without exception! This is true whether we’re talking about here in the United States, or abroad. Fees always are tacked on. These can include insurance fees, road use fees, surcharges of various sorts, extra charges for that “extra” driver, taxes, and fees for any type of navigational devices, among others.

So, here’s that BYOB rule again; if you have a navigational device, pay for a map of your destination before leaving home. Download it, and use it when you get there. Even though maps for such devices aren’t cheap, as I’ve found out, they are far cheaper than renting that navigational device from a car rental agency. On my trip last year, I was charged the equivalent of almost $32.00 USD a day for the device! And you know, it was still worth it. I saved countless hours of time in not getting lost and in gas savings. Europeans just are not great on posting street signs, or at least not where one can see them in time to be of any use. All that extra saved time went to see more things. But do check out car rental costs carefully. Know the total amount. It can be high. Still, for a family, as mentioned in the prior article, a car rental could very well be the way for you to go.

KNOW THE CURRENCIES: This is essential. Whether you are flying to locations that use different currencies, or your trip just involves one different one – know the currency! You need to know it by sight, so you don’t use the wrong bills for tips and such (as I did in Austria), and you need to know its current rate of exchange. If you don’t know that, then you don’t know what those meals, tourist sites, gasoline prices, hotel fees, souvenirs, and all are really costing you. And if you are using a credit card, well, upon your arrival home, and when that bill arrives, it can be an awful surprise. So again, know the currency, know its current rate of exchange, and be able to calculate costs so that you can translate them into your own money. This will save you money!

Currate.com: To be able to do all of this, I recommend Currate.com. It has images of almost all the world’s currencies; you can familiarize yourself with your destination ones. It has regularly updated conversion rates, so you will have timely information on what the exchange rate is. It has a Google Earth style map where you can point and click to your destination. Also, it has a currency converter calculator. Want to know what that souvenir is really costing you? Just use the currency converter calculator to find out. And with regard to that, if you are traveling and have a mobile phone with Internet browser capability, just go to http://currate.com/mbasic.php. For phones with more advanced features, use http://currate.com/menhanced.php. This way, you will have instant access to everything you need with regard to matters of currency conversion. Believe me, knowing this will save you money! And in the current worldwide economic situation, this is always a good idea.

We live in an age where corporate greed has turned craftier than ever. Again, it is the age of hidden fees, of having airlines, banks, credit card companies, hotels, and others  trying to “nickel and dime you to death.” So take my advice and fight back. And one of the best ways to do this is to know what all the costs are going to be up front. Then, you can at least try to defray them in some way. Otherwise, you are just a helpless victim. And really consider this approach, because these fees not only aren’t going away in the near future, they are going to get worse! Trust me. It will happen. And you don’t have to look into a crystal ball to know this. The future, in this regard, is sadly all too obvious.

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Ten Money-Saving Travel And Vacation Tips
http://goflorida.about.com/od/couponsdiscounts/a/moneysavingtips.htm

CNN 9 Money-Saving Travel Tips
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/traveltips/01/20/money.saving.tips/index.html

Money-Saving Travel Tips
http://www.parents.com/fun/vacation/planning/money-saving-travel-tips/

Money Saving Tips the Travel Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
http://www.deliciousbaby.com/journal/2008/jun/19/money-saving-tips-travel-industry-doesnt-want-you-/

The Wend Perrin Report
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/traveltips/11316

Amazing Money-Saving Tips
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2009/feb/07/budget-travel-guide-credit-crunch

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Cruise Ship in Ensenada, Mexico, Author Tomás Castelazo, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Or is it? Did you know you don’t necessarily have to fly, not if you have the time? Yes, we all know about trains, and those are great for actually “seeing” places, the actual countryside throughout mainland Europe, as well as the United Kingdom, and other destinations. But how about when it comes to having to cross the oceans? Then our alternatives are less, of course, but there still are alternatives.

For instance, cruise ships offer one way to go. It is actually possible to travel from one location to another, without having to perform a cruise “loop,” as in, say, a Caribbean cruise of the islands, which starts in South Florida and ends there. Instead, you can actually take part of the cruise, in some instances. Or, for example, just go from New York to London. As the article, One-Way Cruises, mentions, you can take the Fred Olsen Cruise Line, which starts and ends in London, but only stay aboard until you reach Los Angeles, just a part of the trip. Some cruises start in an American port and finish in another, so that you can use them to get from point “A” to point “B.”

With cruise ships, you must allow for considerable time, since they stop at many ports for the entire day in order to allow the regular passengers to enjoy them. And, of course, cruise ships entertain and feed their passengers constantly, so if that’s your thing, and you are in no rush, then cruises ships are one way to avoid having to fly. Cruise ships also allow you to take extra luggage without penalties, which is another good thing for those of us who can’t exist out of just one or two small suitcases for weeks at a time. The drawbacks? Well, cruise ships don’t always go where you want to go, they can be expensive, as well as being very crowded.

Freighter, Courtesy Wikmedia Commons

There is another alternative. This one captures my imagination; that is, traveling by freighter. Why? Because when I was young, my parents took me down to the docks in San Diego, California, to look at the ships. We were standing on one pier, as my ex-navy father pointed out the various features of a cargo ship. Suddenly, a crewman hailed us from on board. He invited us to tour the vessel. With some trepidation, for my mother had fears of us all being “shanghaied,” we boarded the ship. The crewmember, an accommodating Greek man by the name of Erasmus, gave us a complete tour of the entire vessel. We met other crew, and then to our surprise, were invited to lunch with the captain and officers. There we were, eating a sumptuous meal, with stewards in attendance, and chatting as best we could with our hosts. It was a wonderful experience, and one I’ll never forget! So traveling by freighter is something I suggest you might want to do.

Freighters often have room for a few passengers and surprisingly, their accommodations are quite good with spacious staterooms. These are often bigger than cabins on cruise ships. What’s more, traveling by cargo ship allows you to visit sometimes very exotic ports, not just ones on the usual cruise lines’ itineraries – translation – “tourist traps.”

Exotic Port of Hong Kong, Author Acred99, Permission Matthew Laird, Carl Manfred Luig, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Also, although the food is quite good if not very varied, the hours in which you will be served meals are far more limited than on a cruise ship. However, many cabins have storage spaces for you to stock some of your own food specialty items, and often passengers have access to a pantry whenever they wish. However, standards of accommodation all depend on the freighter in question, and the price they are charging. The higher the price, the more likely you are to get all the amenities. Speaking of prices, it is more the rule than the exception that freighters are far cheaper than cruise ships, precisely because they don’t offer an endless, diverse variety of entertainment, and round-the-clock meals. So if price is of importance to you, think about traveling by freighter. And don’t fret, because freighters’ accommodations are usually well worth the money you do pay. Times have changed, so have the standards of service on cargo ships, and for the better.

What are the positive attributes of traveling this way? Well, instead of just trying to “get there,” to start having fun, you will probably enjoy the journey itself. The freighters mostly have some sort of bar, often at least a small swimming pool, basic gymnasium and/or sauna, and even a lounge with books. Again, do remember this varies from ship-to-ship, and if the ship is French, for instance, those books might be predominantly in French. So take some bestsellers along with you. Take whatever helps you pass the time. Also, the cabins/staterooms often have many amenities, including such things as board games, CD players, and such.

However, when traveling by freighter, your emphasis should be on having a leisurely experience, of getting to know people, the ship and the crew, and of often entertaining yourself. There will be very few other passengers to mingle with, but that makes you special. You will undoubtedly meet the captain, officers, and many of the crewmembers. All told, between the ship’s crew and the few passengers who are on board, there may be no more than 30 or 40 people aboard a freighter at most, as opposed to perhaps thousands on a cruise liner. Children will probably be non­existent. So take the opportunities offered of any tours of the ship that may be given. Learn the vessel. Attend the evening get-togethers, and above all, relax!

Finnish Cargo Ship, MS Global Freighter, Stateroom, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

What are the negative attributes? Well, freighters usually do take longer to “get there,” because they have to load and unload cargo at different ports, hence the term, “slow boat.” Ports-of-call can change suddenly and so you may be disappointed if you had your heart set on seeing a particular one. And freighters don’t tarry long at such ports. They get in, unload, load (however long that may take), and then get underway. Sometimes, they do have delays, waiting for a berth at a particularly crowded port. These can even be several days in length.

Bridge and Helmsmen of Freighter, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Once in port, your freighter is usually at an industrial one, not one geared for tourists. This means you will have to come up with your own means of getting somewhere interesting, in town, or wherever, and you had better have some of the local currency ahead of time. For this, I suggest using Currate.com. Currate.com’s website, is very user friendly. They have actual images of over 180 currencies, an online currency conversion calculator, and a Google-style world map you can use to just point and click to your country of destination. Currate.com even has a mobile phone feature for those whose mobiles have Internet browser capability. Just go to http://currate.com/m.php. If your mobile phone has enhanced features, then why not try http://currate.com/e.php, instead. This way, you will know the local currencies by sight, know what the current conversion rates are, and can take along some of each currency ahead of time. So, if you need to hire a taxi at the docks to get you to town, or hop the local bus, you’ll have local money to pay the fares.

And speaking of fares, these really do vary for travel by freighter. They differ based on which ship you are taking, the company involved, where you are traveling, how far, and when. Also, you must use a travel agent to book your trip. But they are still far cheaper than cruise lines. For instance, an 84-day trip, hitting ports in the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Pacific, can go for as little as $10,000. That’s almost three months at sea, numerous ports, and all your meals and lodging covered. Compared to standard cruises, that’s an incredible bargain!

One great site, which is set up very similar to Currate.com’s Google-style Earth map, is:

http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/voyages/destinations-and-prices/. Here, you can click on your start and stop locations, and it shows you the full length of the voyage and costs, or points where you may board along the way at considerably reduced costs. For instance, the cost for a partial trip aboard a freighter shows:

Hamburg – Singapore 33 – 37 Days
Cost: £2,845 or $4,629 . (Currate.com )

That’s over a month of travel, various ports of call, and going half way around the world or more, into the bargain. Consider what a whole month on a cruise ship would cost compared to that freighter. Really, when it comes to prices, there is no comparison.

Does traveling by freighter have its drawbacks? Yes, but if you have the time, they can be an eye-opening, marvelous, casual, relaxed, and comfortable way to take a journey. Always keep in mind, though, that where you embark and debark can depend on the particular freighter, its schedule, and rules for passengers booking trips. So do your research. Also, freighters are generally smaller than cruise ships and lack stabilizers. This means you will feel the motion of the sea more. If you are prone to seasickness, then freighters may not be the way to go for you. But if this isn’t a problem, why not try traveling by cargo vessel for a change? It would give you a chance to enjoy the trip itself, rather than just trying to “get there.” That’s something our times seem to have lost, that ability to have fun during the trip, as well as at the destination. Freighters, as in a ‘slow boat to China,” could bring this back for you. It allows you to “stop and smell the roses,” or in this case, the salt air.

Sunset in Tawian, Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor
Robert Rademacher, Currate.com Editor-in-Chief

References:

Brief History of the Cruise Line Industry
http://www.jobmonkey.com/cruise/html/a_brief_history.html

Welcome to Strand Voyages
http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/

One-Way Cruises
http://www.petergreenberg.com/2009/09/29/one-way-cruises/

Travelers Not Tourists
http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/voyages/travellers-not-tourists/

Destinations And Prices
http://www.strandtravelltd.co.uk/voyages/destinations-and-prices/

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Subway in Paris Courtesy Wikimedia Commons, Author, Pline Photo Personnelle

Do you want to rent a bicycle in Paris? Good luck! Your American credit cards probably won’t work, and even if it happens to, it will take repeated efforts on your part.

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Velib Bicycles in Paris, France

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Velib Station in Paris, France, Author, Evan

Need to use a credit card at an automated ticket kiosk to catch the Paris Metro, that train to Berlin, or pay at an automated toll on a French road? Sorry, no can do! Or maybe you need to purchase gas?

Can you use that automated gasoline station up ahead? Again, you are probably going to be out of luck. You can’t use such services with American credit cards.

That is, you can’t use these and many other automated services unless your card happens to have an em­bedded chip in it, a version of the so-called “smart card.” And good luck with that idea, because as of this writing, it appears no American credit card company is using em­bedded chips for such pur­poses, at least not for Americans getting them in the United States. And the prob­lems don’t stop there. Many vendors, such as merchants, shops, restaurants don’t have, or worse, don’t know how to use, our “swipe” style ma­chines anymore. So, it isn’t just automated service that can be a big problem.

Sadly, although a few years back everyone was touting the “smart card” in the United States, it really didn’t happen for us. We have an older and reasonably reliable system that dates back about four decades, the “swipe” method of authorization for credit cards. And contrary to some remarks made by our European cousins that we should “catch up” with modern times, and do as they do, we really haven’t had the need.

SmartCard Used in Paris, France and Europe - Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

You see, the major reason for using such cards throughout Europe today is to stop, or at least considerably slow down, credit card fraud. In the United States, although we do definitely suffer from this crime, it hasn’t reached the level that it already has in Europe. So, American credit card companies haven’t felt the pressing need to switch. Also, we have an advanced infrastructure in the United States already dependent on, and using, the “swipe” card system. This would all have to be changed to work with such “smart cards.” It would cost billions of dollars to do this. It may be easy for a small country, like Belgium, to accomplish such a changeover, but for a continent-wide country such as ours, it is a major task, and would be at far higher cost.

However, the world does seem to be going the way of this new type of credit card. And, due to mounting international pressure to conform, we may soon have to follow suit as well. This would again make American plastic practical and easy to use all over the world.

But what do Americans do until then? Our options appear to be very limited. For the time being, we probably will just have to avoid using the automated services, and instead use our cards at bank ATMs and/or banks. Our cards are still good at such places and many others. Or we can choose to go back to an older method, and carry more cash with us to feed the automated machines.

Herein is a problem. If you can’t use that credit card to get the day’s best exchange rate automatically, then the need to know the current exchange rate becomes very important. As a smart traveler, you must be aware of the current rate of exchange. And for this, there is no better place than Currate.com . With reliable and daily updated exchange rates, an online currency converter calculator, a Google Earth type world map (http://currate.com/map.php) where you can just point and click to get the currency of your destination, and actual images of over 180 currencies, what could be easier?

Google World Map Based Currency Converter Tools with Currency Images

And remember what we said about many shops, stores, and restaurants in Europe not accept­ing our credit cards? This means your only alternative is to have cash on hand to pay the bill. But then what is the daily exchange rate for their currency and yours? What does that menu price in their currency translate to in costs in our money? How much should we tip? What does their currency even look like?

Well, if you have a mobile phone with Internet browser capability, you can access Currate.com simply by going to http://currate.com/mbasic.php. If your mobile phone is capable of using more enhanced features, go to http://currate.com/menhanced.php. This way, you won’t feel embarrassed, will be able to know the real costs of what

Currate.com Mobile Version - available on iPhone Web browser or any mobile phones with web browser built in.

you are buying, and can rest easy knowing you haven’t made some major and costly mistake. I find that Currate.com provides incredible peace-of-mind in this respect.

And there is some good news on this whole credit card issue; people do want us to be tourists in their countries, and they like it when we spend money. So many are taking steps to ensure their staff can also use the “swipe” machines, and they are trying different methods of allowing us to use our version of credit cards in lots of places. However, for those automated machines located around Europe, from using those Velib kiosks in Paris for bicycle renting, to those automated Esso gas stations, our cards just don’t work. So, keep some cash handy for emergencies, and remember Currate.com . And this way, your trip will be much less frustrating, much less annoying, and a lot more fun!

Rob Shelsky, Currate.com Contributing Editor

References:

Those Free Bikes In Paris? You Can’t Use ‘Em.
http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2007/07/lost_in_translation_parisian_b.html

For Americans, Plastic Buys Less Abroad.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/travel/04pracchip.html?_r=1&ref=technology

Best Payment Options For Travellers.
http://www.naviquan.com/page/best-travel-payment-options/1

Company News; Visa Will Put A Microchip In New Card.
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/21/business/company-news-visa-will-put-a-microchip-in-new-card.html

A Traveler’s Plea To Credit Card Issuers.
http://rdist.root.org/2009/09/28/a-travelers-plea-to-credit-card-issuers/

U.S. Credit Cards Becoming Outdated, Less Usable Abroad
‘Smart’ Chip-And-Pin Cards Catching On Worldwide, But Not Here.
http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/outdated-smart-card-chip-pin-1273.php

Using an American Credit Card for the Paris Bike-Share System
http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/using-an-american-credit-card-for-the-paris-bike-share-system/

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Click http://currate.com/blog/index.php/press-release-september-11-2009/ for more details

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