french diesel on credit cards - again!

[blueglass]

posted same question recently and thought we had an answer to the prob but still struggling. My problem is getting a credit card to work in the auto fuel pumps in French ports. None of our English cards will do. Some helpful answers indicated we need to get a french credit card from Credit Agricole and prob solved. After some discussion with CA, they now tell me that they are unable to issue credit cards to non residents. I can open a bank account and use a debit card which is OK ish but really wanted a credit card. Debit card means I have to keep a pool of cash deposited in the french account.
So, you guys down in the med, (where we are headed) what do you do about this down there.

Dave

 

[KevB]

How about HSBC, they have UK branches and French branches. Maybe they could supply a french credit card from a uk bank account?

 

[blueglass]

ahh good call. worth a try - will phone them now!

 

[blueglass]

drew blank expressions with that one - will go into a branch and have another go next time I'm in town. I have an account with first direct, which is HSBC but hey can't help either. thanks for the suggestion, though.

 

[tcm]

ah, on querying swmbo, it seems we have a debit card and cash in fr bank account.

 

[scej]

why not open account get a card and wire money in to account before you go so you have cash there.

 

[Anchorite]

Re: plastic makes perfect

As far as I know credit cards don't exist in France: with a french account and a Carte Bleue (all debit cards are called CB be they Visa, Mastercard or WHY)you can arrange an overdraft facility (as long as you don't need it, i.e. funds in deposit account, houseowner) but dire retribution awaits anyone going over his (her?) limit - CB withdrawn /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif, Bank of France notified /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif, forbidden to have a cheque book /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif, wear hairshirt (Opus Dei) /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif etc. The latest french CB's (with PIN no.) work in UK cash machines /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif, unlike the earlier ones /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif.

 

[blueglass]

Re: plastic makes perfect

bank account and debit card it is then. Have now got appointment with very nice chap at Credit Agricole in Paris who says he can have it up and running overnight.
Thanks for the info.

Dave

 

[jackho]

Any UK DEBIT card will work as long as it has a MAESTRO symbol on it.

 

[blueglass]

aaah..... Just checked my swatch of cards and yes I have an old first direct account which is lying dormant but has maesto card. Will transfer some funds to account and try card when I am over there in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the tip,
Dave

 

[bobgoode]

Gonna try the maestro card when I'm over there in July. Thanks