topic Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience? in Credit Cards

Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:54:28 GMT

Morning all! I've seen the Discover acceptance map but was hoping to get a few responses that would let me know of recent personal experiences trying to use Discover overseas. Dont think I want Arrival+ reporting to my personal credit (or any other card) at this point dragging my AAoA down again. Im super happy with how far I've come in such a short period of time thanks to most here in this community and generally satisfied with my current line up. Would rather get Ink Cash in May if possible, close my other two Chase cards and end up with a total of only four. Or if that doesnt work out close Freedom and still end up with four.
Visa/MasterCard/Discover/American Express - diverse fantastic four

I'll have to work on CLI's with Discover and plan to request one every three months. If I need to take an inquiry hit so be it. I knew going in patience would be key with this lender so not in a major rush but getting to 6k over the next two years or less would be appreciated. Really love this card but cant get very far purchasing travel with a $1500 limit at the moment.

Anyone with recent experience please let me know how it turned out for you. Of course I'll bring back up cards but since this is my only no FTF card it would be nice to use if accepted. Looking to travel internationally at least twice a year so not a lot. Couple places on my list are Japan, Ireland, Indonesia, Australia, Italy, Egypt, Thailand.
Thanks and Happy New Year!

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Gunnar419 — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:14:08 GMT

I haven't tried using Discover in any of the places on your list, just several in Latin America, where Discover's mostly useless outside of big cities.

I hear, although I don't have personal experience, that Discover is THE card to have if you're visiting China.

Their overseas acceptance is growing, but like everything else Discover does, growing slowly. Love that no-FTF feature, just wish it could be used more!

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 17:24:44 GMT

Thats the kind of answer I was expecting No bueno in Latin America for now, got it. Thanks!

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Callandra — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:23:34 GMT

I lived in Japan for over 6 years and my experience with cards in general is that most places are cash-based (sure big hotels, department stores, etc will take them, but using non-issued Japanese cards can be a pain). Depending on how international the store/place is, they may or may not be able to take your card (and you might get a stubborn Japanese clerk that doesn't realize Discover runs on the JCB network).

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:32:55 GMT

Good to know. Thanks Callandra

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

lg8302ch — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:56:27 GMT

Japan and Thailand are not too bad ...but still you need to bring a VI or MC. In Europe it is a bit worse. I have been using my Discover in Europe and Asia whenever the network allowed it. In Asia there are still many smaller places that do not accept CCs at all. I spent over 1 month in Cambodia and could not use the credit cards at all. Vietnam was slightly better with paying +3% commission for the use of CCs. So make sure to take a good ATM card with you. (a card that refunds the ATM fees) Even in Europe there still many places that do not take CCs.. not like the US where you can go for many months and not need a single $

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:06:58 GMT

@lg8302ch wrote:
Japan and Thailand are not too bad ...but still you need to bring a VI or MC. In Europe it is a bit worse. I have been using my Discover in Europe and Asia whenever the network allowed it. In Asia there are still many smaller places that do not accept CCs at all. I spent over 1 month in Cambodia and could not use the credit cards at all. Vietnam was slightly better with paying +3% commission for the use of CCs. So make sure to take a good ATM card with you. (a card that refunds the ATM fees) Even in Europe there still many places that do not take CCs.. not like the US where you can go for many months and not need a single $

Great info, thanks so much Cash is cool with me. I'll just be happy to get there and plan accordingly. This might be a silly question but if you book an international trip online and its charged in U.S. currency that wouldnt incur any FTF right? I assumed that FTF only applied when using the card while in the destination country but I dont want to assume incorrectly and be surprised.

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

BottomRanker — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 20:29:50 GMT

@Callandra wrote:
(and you might get a stubborn Japanese clerk that doesn't realize Discover runs on the JCB network).

My understanding is that JCB merchants have to apply to accept Discover cards with JCB. As documented elsewhere, there are many chains which accept JCB and do not accept Discover (probably because they don't want to pay to apply).

And if we're talking about online retailers, no JCB merchants accept Discover... or I've yet to find one, anyway.

And remember, Diners Club in Japan is worthless to Discover cardholders, because Discover will not be accepted as a Diners Club. If your Discover card works in Japan, it's because it ran as a JCB.

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Callandra — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:38:34 GMT

@BottomRanker wrote:
@Callandra wrote:
(and you might get a stubborn Japanese clerk that doesn't realize Discover runs on the JCB network).
My understanding is that JCB merchants have to apply to accept Discover cards with JCB. As documented elsewhere, there are many chains which accept JCB and do not accept Discover (probably because they don't want to pay to apply).

And if we're talking about online retailers, no JCB merchants accept Discover... or I've yet to find one, anyway.

And remember, Diners Club in Japan is worthless to Discover cardholders, because Discover will not be accepted as a Diners Club. If your Discover card works in Japan, it's because it ran as a JCB.

Ohh, they have to apply, I did not know that!! Thanks for the information

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Kellan — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:21:06 GMT

I have both experience with Thailand and Japan. Thailand is mostly a cash country. While places do take credit cards you can not use them everywere. As far as using my discover I tried to use my discover card a couple of times. In Thailand it is through the Diners network. The few times I tried the merchant always told me they didn't take the card. And even though I speak some Thai I couldnt get the merchant just to try it. If you need a cash advance against your discover you can get it in Thailand. Bangkok bank is one of the most friendly to Farang. And there are all over.

Japan the only time I tried was in NRT airport. I tried to use it at McDonalds. In Japan it is the JCB network. McDonalds in the airport takes both Diners and JCB so the card should work. The woman running the register refused to try and told me I had to have a Visa or MC. I showed her the Diners logo on the back and she was insitant that I use a visa or mc.

My experience is always that the merchant is unwilling.

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

BottomRanker — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 01:01:39 GMT

McDonalds doesn't take credit cards anywhere in Japan... Maybe the airport is different, but maybe the cashier knows McDonalds doesn't take Discover. (Since they don't normally take credit card anywhere else in that country, why would they have gone to the extra trouble of enabling Discover acceptance over JCB?)

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Kellan — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 05:34:08 GMT

@BottomRanker wrote:
McDonalds doesn't take credit cards anywhere in Japan... Maybe the airport is different, but maybe the cashier knows McDonalds doesn't take Discover. (Since they don't normally take credit card anywhere else in that country, why would they have gone to the extra trouble of enabling Discover acceptance over JCB?)

I think my point is that my Discover card probally works in those countries, but in my experience no one wants to take it. So the card is useless. As soon as I land n BKK I take my discover card and throw it in my suitcase incase something happends and I need emerengcy cash. I don't think you want your vacation ruined because every hotel you have to start with arguning with them about taking your card.

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

mongstradamus — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 05:38:54 GMT

@Kellan wrote:
@BottomRanker wrote:
McDonalds doesn't take credit cards anywhere in Japan... Maybe the airport is different, but maybe the cashier knows McDonalds doesn't take Discover. (Since they don't normally take credit card anywhere else in that country, why would they have gone to the extra trouble of enabling Discover acceptance over JCB?)
I think my point is that my Discover card probally works in those countries, but in my experience no one wants to take it. So the card is useless. As soon as I land n BKK I take my discover card and throw it in my suitcase incase something happends and I need emerengcy cash. I don't think you want your vacation ruined because every hotel you have to start with arguning with them about taking your card.

Thailand is pretty much an MC country. With that being said i took a mc, visa, and discover. The only card i actually used in thailand was my CSP, when i went to eat at fancier restaurant. Places do accept diners club which should work with discover but i never really experimented to find out.

Most places i ventured to eat was cash only so CC wasn't really an option.

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

lg8302ch — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 09:15:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@lg8302ch wrote:
Japan and Thailand are not too bad ...but still you need to bring a VI or MC. In Europe it is a bit worse. I have been using my Discover in Europe and Asia whenever the network allowed it. In Asia there are still many smaller places that do not accept CCs at all. I spent over 1 month in Cambodia and could not use the credit cards at all. Vietnam was slightly better with paying +3% commission for the use of CCs. So make sure to take a good ATM card with you. (a card that refunds the ATM fees) Even in Europe there still many places that do not take CCs.. not like the US where you can go for many months and not need a single $
Great info, thanks so much Cash is cool with me. I'll just be happy to get there and plan accordingly. This might be a silly question but if you book an international trip online and its charged in U.S. currency that wouldnt incur any FTF right? I assumed that FTF only applied when using the card while in the destination country but I dont want to assume incorrectly and be surprised.

Here I would say be careful with bookings on non U.S. airlines websites. LH is processing in Germany, LX in Switzerland, etc. On several occasions I had the charges processed outside the US even when booked on their U.S. website with a departure out of the U.S. - I always use no FTF cards like CSP or Arrival+ for such transactions. When booking American I did use my Citi AA card and got hit with FTF twice and cancelled this card. Somehow my transactions got processed in Hounslow in the UK for trips USA - Switzerland - USA booked on www.aa.com (U,S. site in USD)... after cancelling Citi told me they changed their policy and will no longer charge for online transactions in USD as the customer does not see where the transactions gets processed. Never tried it again and therefore cannot confirm if true. Whenever you use your CC always select local currency as the dynamic exchange rates are terrible and transactions are still subject to FTF on such cards due to processing outside the U.S. - I would recommend to use a no FTF card at least for larger amounts like airfare. The FTF will add up quickly especially on airfares.

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:12:19 GMT

lg8302ch sorry that happened to you but thanks so much for sharing the experience, it really helps :/ I'll definitely be mindful of this

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Jaylima91 — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 14:56:02 GMT

I used my Discover card when I went on a cruise to the Bahamas. It was accepted everywhere including small vendors and merchants that you see along downtown Nassau. I used it since Discover offered me 2% cashback on all international purchases at the time. Worked just fine with me and believe it or not, that was my primary card for the duration of that trip. All purchases went on my Discover card.

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:08:52 GMT

Thanks Jaylima Hopefully I have the same experience whenever I get to the Dominican Republic

Re: Discover International Acceptance Experience?

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jan 2015 01:02:24 GMT

I don't think it's popular in Eygpt . Unless you stay in tourist areas .