Topic Wiki

Hello all!
Many of us live, study, or travel to Israel and prefer using US credit cards.
I haven't seen a "master list" anywhere that outlines which stores, sites, government agencies/utilities, or companies decline US cards, so I thought it might be nice to start one.

I've only transitioned my spend to a US card this past week, so there are still plenty of unknowns.
Please reply to the thread and I'll update accordingly!

Here are my experiences thus far:

Declined US card
-BigDeal http://www.bigdeal.co.il (Groupon copycat) (attempted with Chase CSR Visa)
-Club Teva website (if you happen to be a Teva employee  :))) (attempted with Chase CSR Visa)
-Website getit.co.il; Barclays MC declined
-Clal Insurance
-most gas stations (ask them to pre-charge 400 or 500 shekels if you need a full tank on your car, and if you go under the amount the gas station will refund you.) even better if you know the guy well enough and he'll let you fill up without charging your card first.

Tentative
-AIG Insurance declined through call center (rep mentioned that they do not accept any foreign cards).  However, my card successfully registered through their online portal and will wait to see if it gets charged properly.
-Pizza Hut worked online with Amex; CSR was declined

Other
-Cellarix (Israeli social payment app/site).  It let me send money, but Chase categorized it as a cash advance (attempted with Chase Visa)
-Mika gas stations (only lets you fill up 30 shekels worth when paying at the pump, apparently paying inside gets this raised to 200) (attempted with Chase Visa)

golan and other phone companies now charge an additional 30 shekel per month for processing any foreign card.

also you dont have to put in a real 9 digit number 123456789 works fine or put in your 9 digit passport number instead of teudat zehut.
« Last edited by yman on January 09, 2019, 09:58:19 AM »

Author Topic: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards  (Read 57608 times)

Offline moe8555

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1303
  • Total likes: 155
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #260 on: August 31, 2022, 09:20:14 AM »
in my store i pay something like 3% as opposed to 1.4 for israeli ccs. its very hard when im only making 10% on an item and 3 is going to the cc :(

You should look into CAL.  My local corner store has a great deal with 1% flat for both domestic and foreign cards.  Of course, you wouldn't be able to accept Amex though.

Offline moe8555

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1303
  • Total likes: 155
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #261 on: August 31, 2022, 09:24:08 AM »
Apparently Visa (maybe MasterCard too) has changed their process with foreign transactions. It used to be that the $ amount shown pending was not final. Now it seems that the exchange rate is determined immediately upon purchase. In theory that should be a good thing as I can choose to pay when the rate is up. However there is now more transparency in their rates. I see over and over again that they seem to be taking a premium of something like 0.5-1%.

I have also noticed this lately with MasterCard, even up to 1.2% a couple days ago on a "no FX fee" card.  I've been shifting my non-category purchases to an Israeli card since it is getting out of hand.

Offline Moshe Green

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2021
  • Posts: 1055
  • Total likes: 938
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #262 on: August 31, 2022, 10:48:30 AM »
You should look into CAL.  My local corner store has a great deal with 1% flat for both domestic and foreign cards.  Of course, you wouldn't be able to accept Amex though.
2 things:
#1: my processor works with the program i use to send/process recipts so its worth paying a bit more.
#2: often ill just put a big cc charge to go straight to my supplier, that way i dont even pay 1%

Offline Jack out of the box

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 754
  • Total likes: 70
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: ארצינו הקדושה
  • Programs: Chase UR, BA Avios, AAdvantage, UA Mileage Plus, SPG
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #263 on: September 01, 2022, 02:35:44 AM »
You should look into CAL.  My local corner store has a great deal with 1% flat for both domestic and foreign cards.  Of course, you wouldn't be able to accept Amex though.
Isn't it possible to run different cards through different processors automatically?

Offline moe8555

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1303
  • Total likes: 155
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #264 on: September 01, 2022, 03:10:26 AM »
Isn't it possible to run different cards through different processors automatically?

Not sure, I just know that his 1% flat arrangement was through CAL and he is unable to take Amex.  Not sure if it's due to being cheap or just ignorance about a more robust solution...

Offline Jack out of the box

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 754
  • Total likes: 70
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: ארצינו הקדושה
  • Programs: Chase UR, BA Avios, AAdvantage, UA Mileage Plus, SPG
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #265 on: September 02, 2022, 01:59:56 AM »
You should look into CAL.  My local corner store has a great deal with 1% flat for both domestic and foreign cards.  Of course, you wouldn't be able to accept Amex though.
In the office I work at they process through Cardcom and do not accept Amex or Diners. I believe the reason for the limitation is due to significant fee differences.

Offline tavster

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 3573
  • Total likes: 724
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 65
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: LY TP
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #266 on: January 05, 2023, 07:53:22 AM »
Any experience paying Jerusalem Arnona with US CC?

Offline B.D.Da'ehu

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 3771
  • Total likes: 100
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 126
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #267 on: January 05, 2023, 08:24:20 AM »
Any experience paying Jerusalem Arnona with US CC?
I always do. Never had an issue, I used Amex this year.

Offline Aron27

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 160
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: United States
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #268 on: January 06, 2023, 02:56:51 AM »
Any experience paying Jerusalem Arnona with US CC?
You can either pay for the whole thing online or you can call up to pay for part of it on the phone. But you cannot do monthly payments with an america CC. I call up a few times a year and pay it in parts.

Offline tavster

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jan 2015
  • Posts: 3573
  • Total likes: 724
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 65
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: LY TP
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #269 on: January 06, 2023, 03:00:34 AM »
You can either pay for the whole thing online or you can call up to pay for part of it on the phone. But you cannot do monthly payments with an america CC. I call up a few times a year and pay it in parts.
Thanks.
What card do you use? Do they accept Chase?

Offline njmacman

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 963
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #270 on: January 09, 2023, 07:55:26 PM »
Any way to get Rami Levy stores online to take an American card? I am not a citizen but would rather use Rami Levy than Shufersol online. My fake TZ doesn't work on their web site. Thanks.

Offline Danlover111

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2016
  • Posts: 1457
  • Total likes: 166
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jackson
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #271 on: January 11, 2023, 10:23:49 AM »
Thanks.
What card do you use? Do they accept Chase?
I have payed with chase.

Offline B.D.Da'ehu

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 3771
  • Total likes: 100
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 126
    • View Profile
  • Location: Jerusalem
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #272 on: January 11, 2023, 10:48:29 AM »
Any way to get Rami Levy stores online to take an American card? I am not a citizen but would rather use Rami Levy than Shufersol online. My fake TZ doesn't work on their web site. Thanks.
IME it's not a TZ issue, they just don't take American CC (I've tried Chase and Amex). Worked for me with Israeli CC without a TZ.

Offline yfr bachur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Sep 2018
  • Posts: 1059
  • Total likes: 1249
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Yerusholayim -> נחליאל
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #273 on: January 11, 2023, 12:22:40 PM »
Golan Telecom charges a surcharge of 30 Shekels for paying with a foreign card. Anybody have experience paying using a US-based Paypal account with a US credit card?

@Jack out of the box successfully on multiple golan accounts.

Offline Aron27

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 160
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: United States
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #274 on: January 11, 2023, 03:33:13 PM »
Any way to get Rami Levy stores online to take an American card? I am not a citizen but would rather use Rami Levy than Shufersol online. My fake TZ doesn't work on their web site. Thanks.
I have been able to us my BoA travel rewards Visa and Chase Reserve Visa... My Amex or Citi Premier Mastercard did not work..
My israeli drivers license number always works as a TZ for this stuff.

Offline Jack out of the box

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 754
  • Total likes: 70
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: ארצינו הקדושה
  • Programs: Chase UR, BA Avios, AAdvantage, UA Mileage Plus, SPG
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #275 on: January 11, 2023, 04:21:46 PM »
@Jack out of the box successfully on multiple golan accounts.
I've actually had them running that way for quite a while now.
בלי עין הרע

Offline njmacman

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 963
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #276 on: January 11, 2023, 04:53:41 PM »
I have been able to us my BoA travel rewards Visa and Chase Reserve Visa... My Amex or Citi Premier Mastercard did not work..
My israeli drivers license number always works as a TZ for this stuff.
I don't have an Israeli license and have tried my fake TZ with my CSR card.

Offline moe8555

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1303
  • Total likes: 155
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #277 on: January 16, 2024, 09:55:16 AM »
Anyone know if Pelephone accepts U.S. cards?