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Has anyone have their credit card purchases declined when using a U.S. credit card in a foreign country? It happened to me twice this year: once in Hong Kong with a Mileage Plus Visa in March and once in Rome last month with a Capitol One mastercard. Both times, I had called CS before the trip to ask them specifically to note my account that I would be using the cards in the respective foreign country and the date range. In Hong Kong, I was able to get the merchant to call U.S. customer service and they authorized the purchase after I talked to them. In Rome, the merchant would not contact their processing bank and I had to pay in Euros. In both cases, I contacted CS immediately after I returned to the U.S. and both apologized profusely but indicated it was for my own protection(?). Any tips on how to prevent this from happening? I've never had a credit card declined before and it was extremey embarrasing.
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This really isn't related to Miles or Points, so I'm going to move it to the Visa/MC forum.
Flipside
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I frequently use my American Express, Diners Club, and Citibank Mastercard in Asia and Europe without any issues. Used them in France, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland last year and made some large purchases. I have heard other people have problems, but have never personally experienced them. It may just be an issue with Capital One and First USA. If this is the first time you have traveled internationally with those cards, that may be the reason. While CS may notate your account that you will be traveling out of the country, I don't know how much that helps when you are actually abroad.
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I've had my Capital One card declined while abroad even if I called prior to tell them I would be out of the country. In both cases I got a phone call from Capital One (shocking but true) just to confirm it was really me using them. Partly because I charge higher purchases while traveling and hardly use my cards while state-side.
Other than having them note on your account your travel status, I'm not sure there is anything else you can do. The credit card companies are being pro-active with all the fraud going on, but it certainly was a bit embarassing while I was trying to get some flash boots at L.K. Bennetts.
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I had Amex decline a charge in Russia. I called them collect on their direct-dial number (which probably cost them more than the charge) and after that it worked fine.
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I can certainly understand the CC companies trying to be pro-active in cutting down on fraud but there has to be a better method than just declining a charge because it was initiated overseas, especially after the customer's account has been noted to specifically indicate that the particular card would be used in a certain country or countries at a certain time. My biggest nightmare is have my card declined at a business dinner in front of clients and associates!
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I suppose all you can do is try it out with a small purchase first.
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I've received check-up phone messages following unusual activity but never had an outright decline. I wouldn't be above invoking the one-strike rule in such a case (particularly if the issuer was notified in advance). Blocking use of the card has nothing to do with "my protection."
Anecdotes:
One time I checked into a DC hotel and then walked down the street to register for a conference. The company managing the conference swiped my Visa card on their machine, and since the company was based in California, what the card issuer saw was a swiped transaction in DC followed closely by what looked like a swiped transaction in California. Got a phone call for that one.
On a trip to Thailand, got a message on my home phone after the hotel ran my card at checkin (the amount wasn't large and the hotel was a Sheraton :confused: ). I then used the same card to purchase a large oriental rug (really expecting to be declined this time) and it went through but triggered another answering machine message from the same bank. I only learned about both messages after I got home.
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I have never experienced a decline in my life. It may have to do with the volume of charges and the balances I have each month. I travel extensively within the United States as well as abroad each year.
I can understand that if you have a dormant card (haven't used for a long period of time), then the CC company may flag a purchase overseas. But for a card that is frequently used, it probably shouldn't happen. Also, people tend to charge larger amounts when overseas, and this may be another problem. I'm sure there are certain card companies that are also more sensitive than others when it comes to this. American Express and Diners Club seems like one that is not at all sensitive, but only in my experience.
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It may depend on previous spending patterns as well. If you're frequently making foreign charges, you're less likely to have your card flagged. If you use the card frequently, but only domestically, a foreign charge is more likely to stick out.
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I have had my UAL Milage Plus VISA charge declined in quite a few overseas countries. For some reason, AmEx is fine but not all stores accept it. I have also found that merchants are reluctant to make the toll-free call to see what the problem is. I've been able to minimize the VISA problem by calling first, but even that isn't foolproof. VISA tells me "it's for my own protection..." but doesn't seem to understand just how annoying and embarassing this practice is. I have also learned that it is impossible for them to update their files to reveal that you are a frequent overseas traveller...you have to call each and every time.
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One way to avoid overseas charge declines is to call your card company and tell them where and when you'll be travelling. Don't just speak to a CSR and have a note put in your record; tell them you want to talk to security so they can change the parameters of what will look suspicious for your account.
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I've had one brokerage account-linked debit card/ATM combo declined overseas. That was no fun since the account apparently was limited to North America-only withdrawals. :(
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VISA tells me "it's for my own protection..." It's a fact that it provides the cardholder no additional protection. It's for the protection of Visa (or the merchant).
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One way to avoid overseas charge declines is to call your card company and tell them where and when you'll be travelling. Don't just speak to a CSR and have a note put in your record; tell them you want to talk to security so they can change the parameters of what will look suspicious for your account.Good tip.
Visa cut me off once...it was after I'd put several oriental carpets on the card in Dubai...after having never taken the card out of the US. They tried to call, but (obviously) no one was at the house.
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One way to avoid overseas charge declines is to call your card company and tell them where and when you'll be travelling. Don't just speak to a CSR and have a note put in your record; tell them you want to talk to security so they can change the parameters of what will look suspicious for your account.
This makes the most sense. Thanks.
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Has anyone have their credit card purchases declined when using a U.S. credit card in a foreign country? It happened to me twice this year: once in Hong Kong with a Mileage Plus Visa in March and once in Rome last month with a Capitol One mastercard. Both times, I had called CS before the trip to ask them specifically to note my account that I would be using the cards in the respective foreign country and the date range. In Hong Kong, I was able to get the merchant to call U.S. customer service and they authorized the purchase after I talked to them. In Rome, the merchant would not contact their processing bank and I had to pay in Euros. In both cases, I contacted CS immediately after I returned to the U.S. and both apologized profusely but indicated it was for my own protection(?). Any tips on how to prevent this from happening? I've never had a credit card declined before and it was extremey embarrasing.
I was in Kuwait, coursty of the US Government, staying that the Hilton. I paided for a number of items (Dinner, etc) at the Hilton with no problem. When I went downtown to a Gold market, card declined. No call, nothing. I paid cash. (A quick reminder some places in the world goving over you credit limit is a crime.) I think that it depends on the merchant. The Hilton is worldwide big customer, gold merchant downtown low end.
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I have had my Bank One Visa declined in Nice, France at the Hertz Rental location. Prior to leaving home, I had called all 3 of my credit cards to advise them of travel. When Hertz declined the Bank One card, I called Bank One collect and they said that the card was ok to use. They said that they were not declining usage and that their computer showed no attempt at use. The Hertz people tried again and the charge was still declined. I then used my MBNA (AAA) visa with no problem. For the rest of my trip, I always used my Bank One Visa first. It was declined one other time and I again used my MBNA card. On another trip to France I had a card declined twice. Once I paid cash and the other time the merchant kept swiping the card on different machines and finally pulled a machine from under a counter, plugged it in, swiped the card, and it worked. So....I have come to the conclusion that it has something to do with the machine or the person using it. I have used various cards in many countries with France being (aside from US) the only place I have had a problem.
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On last 1 month trip to UK, Italy & Spain, I called the 4 CC companies whose cards I planned to carry and alerted them to the trip. BofA Visa declined 1x in the UK. I called and they released it and it worked thereafter. No other problems abroad with the BofA visa, BA Visa, AMEX or Citi Mastercard.
The problem occurred when I got back to California. I had to immediately start ordering Xmas gifts for clients in the UK, from UK vendors. It was one reject after another. I was using the cards I dedicate to business, the BA Visa and AMEX. Constant rejects on both cards. A week of calling the vendors in the UK and at least 6 calls to each CC company, both customer service and security, before it was fixed. They constantly assured me it was fixed only to find it wasn't. Oh yes, they had noted the trip abroad, but failed to note the return date. The wine and cheese and flower merchants in the UK were wonderful, long-suffering folk, but it was an ordeal for all of us.
The last trip over to the UK in the spring, I didn't call anyone and had no problems with any charges. IMHO, I would recommend NOT advising them. Just carry more than one card and be prepared to call the US 800# if you have a decline and they'll fix the problem.
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I've had my Capital One card declined while abroad even if I called prior to tell them I would be out of the country. In both cases I got a phone call from Capital One (shocking but true) just to confirm it was really me using them.
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:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
This is one of my absolute worst pet peeves about credit card companies. It's happened to me several times, most recently with Juniper within the last month.
In the past I have called and attempted to "register" that I'll be leaving, and was told that the security algorithms are automatic and "for our protection" there's nothing that can be done except calling AFTER the card has been rejected!
This is so incredibly asinine it makes my blood boil just thinking about it. In conjunction with the fact that they call your HOME phone to verify your purchases if there is a security alert posted, where obviously if you are travelling you are not going to be available to verify, it puts me on a quest for a company that is a little more sensible about their policies.
This time around I decided I'm not going to call. I never need to use their card again, and in fact never WANT to use the card again, if they are going to decline my legitimate business. So, I'm not wasting one second returning their phone calls, and we'll see what happens in the end (note that I will still of course pay my bill for legitimate purchases, so I don't think there should be any impact on my credit rating. I'm an angry consumer crusader, but I'm not totally stupid ;) )
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:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
This is one of my absolute worst pet peeves about credit card companies. It's happened to me several times, most recently with Juniper within the last month.
In the past I have called and attempted to "register" that I'll be leaving, and was told that the security algorithms are automatic and "for our protection" there's nothing that can be done except calling AFTER the card has been rejected!
This is so incredibly asinine it makes my blood boil just thinking about it. In conjunction with the fact that they call your HOME phone to verify your purchases if there is a security alert posted, where obviously if you are travelling you are not going to be available to verify, it puts me on a quest for a company that is a little more sensible about their policies.
This time around I decided I'm not going to call. I never need to use their card again, and in fact never WANT to use the card again, if they are going to decline my legitimate business. So, I'm not wasting one second returning their phone calls, and we'll see what happens in the end (note that I will still of course pay my bill for legitimate purchases, so I don't think there should be any impact on my credit rating. I'm an angry consumer crusader, but I'm not totally stupid ;) )
Why not just list your cell phone as your primary contact number. That way they'll be able to get in touch with you when you are away from home.
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Why not just list your cell phone as your primary contact number. That way they'll be able to get in touch with you when you are away from home.
That wouldn't work if you are not using your U.S. cell phone overseas. I carry an unlocked GSM cell phone with me when I travel and just buy a local SIM card to use at my destinations. A lot cheaper than using my U.S. cell phone.
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That wouldn't work if you are not using your U.S. cell phone overseas. I carry an unlocked GSM cell phone with me when I travel and just buy a local SIM card to use at my destinations. A lot cheaper than using my U.S. cell phone.
There is typically no easy way for anyone to get in touch with you overseas by phone these days. But at least in the US, you can get in touch fairly quickly.
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That wouldn't work if you are not using your U.S. cell phone overseas. I carry an unlocked GSM cell phone with me when I travel and just buy a local SIM card to use at my destinations. A lot cheaper than using my U.S. cell phone.
Could you not just divert all calls from your U.S cell phone to the number that you will be using in Europe?
That way you can be contacted.
If you think that you dont want to be bothered with a lot of calls whilst on holidays, then just divert all calls(after 30 seconds of ringing) to the voicemail of your phone in Europe.
That way you will get a beep when theres a message from home and you will be able to listen to the message on your European phone at the local rate.
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and we have been aboard at least once sometimes twice a year - to places like Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Australia, New Zealand, Taihiti, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean ... The only continents we did not go in recent years are Europe and Africa.
Never let our credit card companies know where we are going, never had our cards being denied ... never receive phone call from our card companies enquire any of our overseas charges.
However, we did receive a phone call from Citi enquired a tiny gasoline purchase 10 miles from home. The guy who called said it was a routine check. Go figure.
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I have been using my cc's for years in asia, europe, middle east but never had any declined. :rolleyes: I guess they don't care about my protection!!! ;)
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However, we did receive a phone call from Citi enquired a tiny gasoline purchase 10 miles from home. The guy who called said it was a routine check. Go figure.Pay-at-the-pump charges tend to be high fraud, as they're made without seeing a clerk or signing a slip.
As I mentioned before, it's proably just occasional international travellers that have problems. Regular ones have a profile that shows regular international charges.
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Never had problem in Europe with VISA (US Bank).
Try taking some money out of an ATM ( maybe Euro 200) when you get there and see if you're declined.
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I've never had my Citi.You card (world mastercard I use primarly) declined. I do take the following precautions:
1. Call CS and inform then dates of travel and to note acct.
2. Leave cell phone (I carry a world phone) as contact to verify all transcations incase required.
3. In case of heavy spending - call CS collect :p and verify with them just in case.
I've taken the card all over, and it is one of my favorite. Maybe they just know my spending patterns, I've never reported a stolen card, I've never disputed a charge, or whatever. I just have found these precautions work.
I have had problem with some places saying "we don't take that card" until I turn it over and show them the mastercard logo on the back (yea for some reason on this card the MC logo is on the back).
-Vincent
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Use both Chase, and Bank of America ATM cards.
Took NZ $ and Australia $ from airports.
Took Taihiti money at Papeete 4 or 5 times (boy, was that place expensive, kept running out of cash). Different trips.
Took money at Shanghai.
Took money at Hong Kong.
Took 60K yen at NRT right after our arrival (approx $600 ?).
Took Canadian $ routinely in Canada.
Last withdrawal was this May at a tiny port called Huatulco, in Mexico on the Pacific coast. (that one was an expensive withdrawal as BoA hit me with $5.00 international withdrawal fee, but luckily was just before they implemented 3% currency conversion fee. Otherwise, it would be a even more expensive withdrawal of a mere US$75 worth of Peso).
None of the ATM access was denied.
The irony happened, 3 weeks after our return home, I found my ATM card was refused by BoA machine just outside the branch when I tried to deposit a check but did not want to que inside. The reason ? My card EXPIRED ! So we went inside and went thru a few steps to get a new card.
It would be interesting to know how the program "flag" the spending pattern or whatever. We never called either the credit card companies, or the bank for ATM access (different institutions). Our spending pattern also is quite uneven - when we stay home, our monthly bill is fairly low - when we are ready to go, the spending would spike for couple months (paying for the trip and actually taking the trip). Then it subsides again. I dont know how the program can "flag" such patterns.
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I had my MP visa declined when I was in spain a few weeks ago. Decline some plane tickets I bought online (that SUCKED), an mp3 player, and some other stuff. I had previously called them to tell them I was going. They said it was because my spending habits changed drastically. Well, no $h!t, I'm in europe, what do you expect. Anyway, No problems anywhere else in europe, or asia either. They did give me the miles for the dollars they didn't let me spend though, so it wasn't all bad.
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Guys, this sounds like my life. Have had charges denied regularly when certain patterns (real or imagined) exist in Citibank's computer.....We charge about 6-8K/month, paid off each month. What really sends them into a tizzy is this: a recent rash of charges made when the card wasn't physically present (any internet charges, such as aa.com, merchants, etc), anytime a pay at the pump overlaps (my wife charged a tank within minutes of me doing the same, and it freaked 'em), or if you do solid business that may overlap the above high risk transactions such as: electronics, travel, certain high risk countries in Africa, Russia, etc.
When I called (repeatedly) to complain about their handling of my account, after getting a knowledgeable supervisor in fraud dept, they put my account in something called "suppression" which meant that it would never be denied... as long as I called them back quickly when they had warning bells go off. Supposedly it will still allow them to monitor for fraud, but allow me to not be embarassed at a business dinner. So, you might want to give your card's fraud dept (not the cust svc centers) a call and see if they can do this for you. Good luck. :cool: