Debt/Credit Cards Europe

[swiggle]

One of my friends, who is also moving to Mildenhall, was told that alot of places would not accept american credit cards because they use a computer chip in theirs. Have any of you experienced this?
Also I heard that you have to have a bank account through an english bank in order to live on the ecconomy (around mildenhall) in england, is that true? If so does one of the banks on the base count?

[USAF_Gal]

Yes the credit/debit cards over here have a chip in them and instead of signing the person just types in their pin. The only place I have had a problem using my debit card is the British post office, they no longer have the capability to take swipe cards so I just have to make sure I have cash on me when I go there. When I go shopping off base, which is where I do 95% of my shopping, I just tell the person that my card isn't a chip and pin when I had it to them and they swipe it.

As for the pound bank account, yes you will need one to live off base to pay your utilities, cable, phone, internet, rent, etc. You can either set one up at Community bank on base or go to any bank off base to pay it. We have all of our utilities, phone/cable/internet direct debited from our pound account but we pay our rent in cash each month. It is also a good idea to get a pound account if you live on base too so you can have your phone/cable/internet directed debited.

[swiggle]

Thank you that is very helpful.