Most American cards lack chip and pin, if you travel to the UK for example a lot of vendors won't be able to even read your magnetic strip and some additionally

Most American cards lack chip and pin, if you travel to the UK for example a lot of vendors won't be able to even read your magnetic strip and some additionally have policies against doing so (for fraud prevention reasons). Which country are you referring to? Because right now most American cards don't work in the majority of European countries. You have to request a special chip and pin capable card from your bank in the US to be able to use your card abroad (although I believe Amax give these to you by default).