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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 57584 times)

Offline Saybcbd

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #80 on: November 19, 2017, 05:26:35 PM »
Interesting, let us know how the charge ends up processing (cash advance or not).
Tfachot allows American credit cards if you're paying late and it does not show up as a cash advance on amex or chase

Offline Mr. CC

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #81 on: November 19, 2017, 09:01:58 PM »
Same, although last month none worked.
who pay's  Arnona by the month
What city do you guys live in

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #82 on: November 19, 2017, 11:14:53 PM »
who pay's  Arnona by the month
Every 2. Was meant to read as "last time."

Offline Ergel

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #83 on: November 20, 2017, 02:23:35 AM »
Every 2.
+1, just paid November/December
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #84 on: November 20, 2017, 03:16:02 AM »
Thanks, I think mine is the same company.  Very strange that out of all possibilities, the Amex goes through but Visa doesn't (which is what happened with my power bill yesterday).  I would've expected the opposite.
I just paid my Arnona/water bill through pay24 using CSR Visa.
מספר אישור 0 but I've had that before with these CCs without issue.

Offline Mr. CC

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #85 on: November 20, 2017, 09:44:46 PM »
Every 2. Was meant to read as "last time."
what city in Yerushalayim its once a year

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #86 on: November 21, 2017, 12:05:13 AM »
what city in Yerushalayim its once a year

Jerusalem is the exception.  Nearly every other locale lets you choose to pay annually or every two months.

Offline M218

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #87 on: November 21, 2017, 01:13:01 AM »
I paid Arnona 2 weeks ago for 5k Shekels and went thru it just took very long to approve online but saw the charge instant (paid by phone)

Offline Ergel

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #88 on: November 21, 2017, 01:48:55 AM »
I paid Arnona 2 weeks ago for 5k Shekels and went thru it just took very long to approve online but saw the charge instant (paid by phone)
5K semimonthly?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #89 on: November 21, 2017, 04:07:39 AM »
Update regarding the Electric Company: I tried paying with my CSR and it would not accept the card (both via mobile app and regular website).
I was only able to pay with my U.S. Amex Plat.  Did not try other Visa/MC besides CSR.
You're not alone. I tried CSR Visa and Capital One Visa before my SPG Amex was finally accepted.  :(
I should at least be thankful for the years that all cards worked because חברת החשמל has probably been my best help at reaching CC bonuses.

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #90 on: November 21, 2017, 04:41:46 AM »
You're not alone. I tried CSR Visa and Capital One Visa before my SPG Amex was finally accepted.  :(
I should at least be thankful for the years that all cards worked because חברת החשמל has probably been my best help at reaching CC bonuses.

Oh well.. let's just hope they don't eliminate Amex as well.  I don't think a lot of people are aware, but the Ameriprise Amex Platinum gives a 5K MR bonus per $20K spent (on an annual basis).  So if you're sure you'll reach at least $20K in spend, it's on par with SPG for unbonused foreign spend (sure, SPG has more transfer partners, but the 20K-->25K bonus is limited to a single redemption/airline.  With the Ameriprise, you get 5K MR deposited to your account that can be used separately from the 20K earned organically -- basically great for a 4K Avios redemption).

Offline M218

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #91 on: November 21, 2017, 08:38:35 AM »
5K semimonthly?
no for the whole year and got back 80% (but of course I made the points)

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #92 on: November 21, 2017, 08:55:38 AM »
no for the whole year and got back 80% (but of course I made the points)
If I would do that I would just end up with a credit in my arnona/water account. I wouldn't get a cash refund.
It is a good idea, though, if at the beginning of the year I need to spend for a CC bonus. I could prepay full arnona for the year and get a 2% discount for that. Afterwards I can apply for my regular arnona discount and then the refund would cover my water for the year.

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #93 on: November 22, 2017, 01:55:07 AM »
If I would do that I would just end up with a credit in my arnona/water account. I wouldn't get a cash refund.
It is a good idea, though, if at the beginning of the year I need to spend for a CC bonus. I could prepay full arnona for the year and get a 2% discount for that. Afterwards I can apply for my regular arnona discount and then the refund would cover my water for the year.
get a friend with a Israeli account and you could sign a permision letter stating that you let them wire the Money to his account then use the Shekels as cash (the best way to get shekels in Israel W/n switch fee ;))

Offline M218

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #94 on: November 22, 2017, 02:06:07 AM »
I pay with my CSR
חברת חשמל
בזק
גולן
Hot mobile
Arnona
Hagihon
מי עדן
אמישראגז
all works and what doesn't I call in and they except a 1 time payment every time
and best of all I started paying my landlord with Chase QP so no need to shlep the $$$ :) :) :)

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #95 on: November 22, 2017, 03:06:39 AM »
get a friend with a Israeli account and you could sign a permision letter stating that you let them wire the Money to his account then use the Shekels as cash (the best way to get shekels in Israel W/n switch fee ;))
I have an Israeli bank account. But my city doesn't refund the overpayment - only apply it towards future bills. At least my water and arnona are billed together. Maybe next year I'll try to convince them to send a refund.

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #96 on: November 22, 2017, 03:09:00 AM »
I pay with my CSR
חברת חשמל
בזק
גולן
Hot mobile
Arnona
Hagihon
מי עדן
אמישראגז
all works and what doesn't I call in and they except a 1 time payment every time
and best of all I started paying my landlord with Chase QP so no need to shlep the $$$ :) :) :)

When did you last pay your power bill?  The no-CSR issue seems to be a recent development.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #97 on: November 22, 2017, 04:05:45 AM »
no for the whole year and got back 80% (but of course I made the points)
Huh? You overpay your arnona and they give you the cash back? How often can you do that? How do you request the cash back?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #98 on: November 22, 2017, 04:45:44 AM »
Huh? You overpay your arnona and they give you the cash back? How often can you do that? How do you request the cash back?

And a follow-up: is there any way to overpay a regular arnona bill, not eligible for discounts?

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #99 on: November 22, 2017, 04:51:23 AM »
I just paid my mortgage with my US AMEX CC (there was a problem with my horadat keva). Try that in the US.

Found an old article specifically discussing this option: http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-2359714,00.html

What were the late fees/penalty interest you incurred, if you don't mind sharing?