Frequent declines on MC/Visa Cards

[Anonymous]

I've always had pretty decent credit for the last 30 years with scores ranging from 779-803. now I'm a 794, I think. I do have some very high credit lines on some of my cards. But in my whole life, I've managed my credit, not lost cards, ect, and have no reason for the banks not to trust me. Here is the issue. Lately in the last 6 months, all of Master Cards and Visas have been getting numerous declines at merchants. I do travel a whole lot, always have, but there seems to be a computer system that declines and turns off my CC's whole lot lately. Does this happen to anyone else? I'm thinking of dumping the MC's & Visas and just keeping my Amex's. It never, ever happens with any of the Amex products. After being embarrassed at a restaurant from a recent decline out on Cape Cod, I think I may have had enough. This has happened 6 other times when guests were present. Happening a dozen times in 6 months is way too much. They say they are protecting us. Yeah, right. For someone who is online all the darned time on the bank's credit card sites reveiwing every charge, you would think they could catagorize me a little differently. They say when in a foreign country, call before you go. Well, I do that. But guess what? They still decline charges and turn my card off. Emailing the CC company won't work. They won't listen to you even if you are signed on. So am I the only one getting all this? I do not subscribe to any fraud protection of any sort. I just recently signed up for My Fico. Bill

[Anonymous]

I contact Amex and any other company I might use when I travel-
Never had an issue-

[Anonymous]

Well I had this happen to me but it was an ex-girlfriend who took breaking up just a little too far. She called and canceled all my cards when she knew I was in the UK. Luckily I carry an AMEX and within 24 hours I had a new card. I swear by AMEX. The funny part to this story is the ex wondered why I broke up with her ... gee I wonder?! @#$%@$##@!

- AZQ

[haulingthescoreup]

BillWillCharge (if they let him!), I'm assuming you call the CCC's the next day to raise holy what's-it. What do they tell you? Does it do any good to tell them that if they won't do business with you, you won't do business with them? I've never heard of this happening repeatedly (not doubting, just amazed.)

[Anonymous]

Most of us carry backup cards. It happens to everyone. Most people I know use Amex over seas. I call before I travel, never had a problem over seas if I called first. It's here in the US I have problems. But all the same. Security is tight, fraud is big business. Try this- Give the waiter 2 credit cards, if one doesn't work there is another. No don't really do that. Just use Amex. The standard Platinum Card or Rewards Gold Card from American Express. That would be my choice for over seas.

Message Edited by ilovepizza on 04-03-2008 11:53 PM

[dragnldy]

  Honestly, speaking from experience, it's an embarrassing situation for the server when your card is declined, too.  I appreciate the fact that it's more so for the person with the card, but it's felt on both sides.  Especially when the cardholder gets upset because there's "no reason" for the decline.  Most the time the machine doesn't let you have a clue so you can respond to the cardholder's questions.  It gets frustrating for everyone involved when all you can say is "I don't know why it declined."

[Anonymous]

I think when that happens, it's time to re-look at your relationship with that CCC (credit card company) I've gotten on the phone and talked to them. Even after I've pre-warned them that I will be in a certain country, they often decline the card anyway. It seems there is one company that monitors this for both MC & Visa International. It never seems to happen with Amex. So calling them in advance usually does nothing.

[MidnightVoice]

The only problem I ever remember overseas is when my company CC was maxed out!

[momof2]

is their a chance your CC's have expired and you havent noticed?? if a CC is expired it will be declined.

[Anonymous]

Oh, no.. All in good standing, X dates on cards fine. I think there is some computer program that sees a charge in one country then the other, and that could trigger a response to turn off your card. If you have ever used Skype, add just $10 to your account online, the charge comes from the UK and is usually declined. Charges after that might also turn off your MC or Visa. This is what happens to me. I don't know why. Also having high CL on certain cards sets a threshold with the CCC that might make it more sensitive to being turned off. Always good to have an AMEX while overseas, at least, that's my experience.