-Lew-

 

I just got my chip and pin card from Bank of America.

Are you sure it's a Chip & Pin and not a Chip & Signature card? I ask because I see no mention of Chip & Pin on the BOA website.

 

There is a FAQ on the BOA site that discusses their chip card here. Here's a quote from that FAQ:

 

 

Did BOA send you a PIN to use with your card? This can't be a PIN you chose after receiving the card because it needs to be embedded in the chip before the card is sent to you.

 

If you really do have a Chip & Pin card, great! I just wouldn't want you heading over to Europe thinking you had one if you didn't.

 

Lew

 

Lew, Having some fun with the Anderson folks. We followed your lead but noticed that they have credit limits up to $50,000 which is pretty high for Visa/MC. So of course we asked for the max just to see what they would do. Got an e-mail the following day asking for income verification and tax returns :). Still waiting for the card (and the credit limit) but we did get our PIN today.

Hi Hank…

 

Yeah, I requested a high limit too and they asked for backup data. They said they'd okay a $7,500 limit right away with no additional info, so I took it. With that and my Cap1 card I'll have more than enough.

 

One thing they don't tell you is how to logon to your VISA account online. Let me know if you need instructions.

 

Also, you need to create a verbal password to use if you need to discuss your account over the phone. Again no instructions.

 

Lew

 

Posted from my iPad Mini

 

Anyone know if you have to unfreeze all three reporting agencies, or only one?

They checked only Experian when I applied.

 

Lew

 

Posted from my iPad Mini

 

Having a few issues getting the credit union form completed - very frustrating. And Chase may have the chip/pin (we have 2 Chase accts and neither has that), but I do know there is a transaction fee - more important than the pin is no transaction fees - that is why we keep the Cap One cc without the pin.

I had no issues completing the online application. Perhaps you should try a different web browser.

 

Be careful with Chase or JP Morgan cards as they are likely chip & signature cards.

 

Lew

If anyone does get an Andrews VISA and has issues viewing their account online, post here and I'll outline the procedure. It's a bit different than other credit card accounts I access online.

 

Lew

 

Posted from my iPad Mini

 

Does anyone know what ship Godwin is working on this summer or where he will be working in January 2014? We were lucky enough to sail with him on the Ruby in July 2011 and on the Emerald in July 2012 and he really made our anytime dining experience excellent!

According to Generoso in February, Godwin was sailing in southeast Asia and would be throughout the summer. Beyond that, no clue...

 

Lew

 

Belated Happy Birthday Lew.

Hello Roger & Val...

 

Thank you for your kind wishes. I had a wonderful birthday. :)

 

Nan and I look forward to cruising with you once again. I guess we'll both just have to book as many cruises as we possibly can in hopes that happens again some day.

 

Warm regards,

 

Lew

 

Well, Happy Birthday!!! No harm, no foul. sometimes it's hard to follow threads when we're all typing at the same time:D

Thank you for your understand and good wishes. :)

 

Lew

It was fantastic…thank you.

 

Lew

 

Posted from my iPad Mini

 

Lew,

I wasn't responding to your posts, but the other person (from Canada) who said they had chips in their cards. I totally know that the Andrews card is C&P :)

Yes, that was brought to my attention by flames9 above and I did apologize for my errant post. I extend my apologies to you directly now.

 

I attribute my behavior to too many mimosas at brunch today…it's my birthday! :rolleyes:

 

Lew

 

She (slidergirl)was referring to Quatro Romeos post.

You're absolutely correct. I completely missed that and I apologize to slidergirl.

 

Lew

 

Chase Bank MasterCard has chip.

Yes it does; however, it's not a Chip & Pin card...it's a Chip & Signature card.

 

Last year I applied for the JP Morgan Chase card after calling the bank to confirm the card was indeed a Chip & Pin card. Upon receiving the card and no PIN, it was pretty obvious it was actually a Chip & Signature card. I cancelled the account.

 

A Chip and Signature card is pretty useless in those instances when a Chip & Pin card is needed.

 

 

Are you sure they are chip and PIN, not chip and SIGNATURE? I also have chips in my Visa and AMEX cards, but they are only C&S...

I don't know how my original post can be any clearer. Reread my post and check out the Andrews website yourself.

 

I have the cards...they have chips...I have the PINs...they're Chip & Pin cards.

 

Lew

 

Lew, thanks for this very useful information. I went through all the research about 18 months ago and couldn't find anywhere at the time to get a true chip and pin card. This sounds relatively painless.

 

 

Thanks for the info Lew, I love it when someone else does the leg work for me! :)

cruisemom42 and euro cruiser...

 

You're welcome; however, I'll never be able to repay you for what I have learned by reading your posts over the years. You've both contributed greatly, in ways you'll never know, to many wonderful European trips.

 

Lew

After researching the subject thoroughly, I applied for a Chip & Pin VISA credit card offered by the Andrews Federal Credit Union. Andrews FCU is one of a very few financial institutions in the US offering true Chip & Pin credit cards. It’s a huge credit union primarily catering to the military with branches in Washington DC, Maryland, New Jersey, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium.

 

I wanted a Chip & Pin card for the few times I will be needing one in travels in Europe and elsewhere. Instances I could have used a Chip & Pin card in the past include ticket machines in the Paris Metro, unattended fuel stations in Italy, a clothing store in London, markets in Provence and unattended parking facilities to name a few. We’ll be faced with similar circumstances in October and I don’t want to be put in a difficult position.

 

Here is a description of features of the Andrews GlobeTrek Visa® Rewards Card as outlined on the Andrews website:

 

 

The credit card can be applied for online; however, you must become a member of the Andrews FCU before the card will be issued. The membership application can also be completed online and can be done before or after the credit card application.

 

In order to become a member, you must be a member of a qualifying organization. If you’re not a member of a qualifying organization, you can obtain a free membership to the American Consumer Council within the membership application. You must also setup a share account with a minimum balance of $5.00 which can be funded with an existing credit card.

 

Timeline:

 

Day 1 - I applied for the credit card which was approved within a few hours.

Day 2 - I received an email requesting that I electronically sign documents.

Day 7 - I received a welcome letter. In it was a notice that if I did not elect eStatements online, paper statements would cost $2.00 per month.

Day 11 - I received our PIN numbers.

Day 12 - I received our cards

 

You can find the Andrews FCU website here. The American Consumer Council’s website can be found here.

 

A spreadsheet detailing credit cards currently available with embedded chips can be found here.

 

Note: Chip & Signature and Chip & Pin cards are not the same animal. You need a Chip & Pin card if the occasion presents itself while traveling in Europe.

Lew

I asked this question other places, but have gotten little response, so I'll try again.

You have posted this question three times on this board and once on the Celebrity board. I suggest you post it on your roll call.

 

Follow MafG's advice to contact the cruise line...or your TA if you used one. A phone call should get you the information you need.

 

Lew

 

And, don't get me started on maple syrup vs. the awful maple-flavored stuff on the ship. I walk past the syrups at the supermarket and shudder.

Exactly...

 

We arrived home from Florida in late March just in time to enjoy some sugar on snow at a local sugarhouse...served with a donut and pickle! :)

 

Now my mouth is watering for some more...

 

Lew

We've kinda' given up on the lobster tails in the MDR...it's just not worth it. There is just no consistency; once in awhile you get one that is not overcooked and pasty. Being from New England, we know what good lobster is and Princess just doesn't serve good lobster in the MDRs.

 

You'd be much better off leaving your formal wear at home and going out for a nice lobster dinner sometime. Lobster in any shoreside restaurant has got to be a lot better than what they serve us in the MDR.

 

Lew

Have a fantastic cruise, Pia…

 

Lew

 

Posted from my iPad Mini

 

Last I heard he and Generoso were headed for the Sun Princess cruising in the Far East for P&O Australia.

When I spoke with Generoso on the Emerald in February, he mentioned that Godwin was sailing in the Far East at that time. He said he would be in the Far East also, but didn't say he and Godwin would be together.

 

Generoso did say neither he nor Godwin would be on the Royal anytime soon.

 

Lew

You'll have a mini fridge.

 

Enjoy your cruise...

 

Lew

Cabins on Caribe deck generally have the largest balconies of any regular cabin on the ship at about 9'x9' vs 9'x5' for cabins on other decks. This would include both C104 and C103. The interior of the cabin will be the same as other regular (non-suite) cabins. The balconies on Caribe deck are half covered so you can be out in the sun or in the shade as you desire.

 

Our preference is a cabin from about mid-ship toward the aft end for the smoothest ride. Cabins aft of the aft elevator are very quiet since there is very little hallway traffic.

 

Lew

You can learn about Captain's Circle Gold Member Benefits here...

 

Lew

The quick answer is the train is easy and inexpensive. The distance to the train station depends on where your ship berths.

 

I recommend you check out the Greece Ports Board here where you'll find a wealth of information.

 

Lew

Hi Joyce...

 

Google maps estimates the distance from the port of Livorno to Riomaggiore to be 115 km and driving time of 1 hour 25 minutes.

 

Lew

Hank...

 

Your thinking makes perfect sense. Thanks for the explanation.

 

Lew