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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 58242 times)

Offline Luvisrael

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #140 on: December 11, 2017, 03:13:45 PM »
if i paid a meuchedet bill after the waiting period, for services that happened during the waiting period, will i be reimbursed?

Offline M218

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #141 on: December 11, 2017, 07:26:08 PM »
if i paid a meuchedet bill after the waiting period, for services that happened during the waiting period, will i be reimbursed?
i just got back 250 plus 425 for private doctors

Offline Ergel

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #142 on: December 12, 2017, 01:52:54 AM »
I sent in my meuhedet receipts for the waiting period & still haven’t received the 875 shekel they owe me (many months later).

I didn’t have 6 months in Israel on my visa before I went back to have a baby. I was in America for about 5 months so my waiting period started again from when I returned. Because of that my first child as born before my bituah leumi started & they didn’t want to give me maanak leida. They said after my second child I’ll receive it as if it was the first child (about 1000 shekel more). Second child is here & I only got 788 shekel.
Want me to call?
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Offline Hjay

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #143 on: December 12, 2017, 10:46:58 AM »
Want me to call?

That would be really nice. I’m just not reallly sure Who to call. I know I can call bituah leumi but I want to speak to somebody who can actually help.

Offline ludmila

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #144 on: December 12, 2017, 11:51:55 PM »
I sent in my meuhedet receipts for the waiting period & still haven’t received the 875 shekel they owe me (many months later).

I didn’t have 6 months in Israel on my visa before I went back to have a baby. I was in America for about 5 months so my waiting period started again from when I returned. Because of that my first child as born before my bituah leumi started & they didn’t want to give me maanak leida. They said after my second child I’ll receive it as if it was the first child (about 1000 shekel more). Second child is here & I only got 788 shekel.
There used to be an option , instead of the 6 month waiting period you can pay I think it was 11000 or 12000 Shekels and be eligible immediately, does this option still exist?
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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #145 on: December 14, 2017, 05:44:36 AM »
Just tried paying for a new Israeli passport via the website (forms.gov.il) with my CSR and it declined it, saying it could only take Israeli credit cards.
Did not try over the phone or at one of the self-service kiosks.

On the other hand, Meuhedet payments are still going strong.. Although they keep calling me up to tell me to setup a horaat keva  ::).

Offline Ergel

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #146 on: December 14, 2017, 05:59:01 AM »
Just tried paying for a new Israeli passport via the website (forms.gov.il) with my CSR and it declined it, saying it could only take Israeli credit cards.
Did not try over the phone or at one of the self-service kiosks.

On the other hand, Meuhedet payments are still going strong.. Although they keep calling me up to tell me to setup a horaat keva  ::).
At least they updated the message. It used to just decline with no message. Don't think there is any option for over there phone
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Offline Boruch999

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #147 on: December 14, 2017, 07:52:01 AM »
At least they updated the message. It used to just decline with no message. Don't think there is any option for over there phone

There is no phone option and the current discount for online payment far outweighs any conceivable point value.

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #148 on: December 14, 2017, 08:08:22 AM »
Just tried paying for a new Israeli passport via the website (forms.gov.il) with my CSR and it declined it, saying it could only take Israeli credit cards.
Did not try over the phone or at one of the self-service kiosks.
We've discussed this one before.

Offline Mr. CC

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #149 on: December 18, 2017, 11:58:08 AM »
There is no phone option and the current discount for online payment far outweighs any conceivable point value.
+1 and kiosk doesn't either work for "our" credit cards

Offline Ergel

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #150 on: January 02, 2018, 12:34:01 PM »
I just paid my mortgage with my US AMEX CC (there was a problem with my horadat keva). Try that in the US.
Sure it's not a CA?  Which bank?

I'd like to arrainge a permanet problem with my horaat keva  :)
It didn't post as a CA, love the free points...
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Offline B.D.Da'ehu

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #151 on: January 02, 2018, 12:54:02 PM »
Thanks for the update. Hopefully the problem has passed.
Just paid chashmal with Amex Plat online.

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #152 on: January 02, 2018, 01:11:59 PM »
Just paid chashmal with Amex Plat online.
you can pay online?
What website do you go on? Assuming you can see how much electric you have left if you prepay? Or how much you used if you post pay?
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Offline B.D.Da'ehu

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Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #154 on: January 14, 2018, 06:26:49 AM »
Was able to pay car registration via web with Amex SPG (I believe any card will work, though). Did not work via phone or the machines in Super Pharm.

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #155 on: January 14, 2018, 06:47:38 AM »
חברת החשמל seems to be back in full service.  ;D

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #156 on: February 19, 2018, 10:09:30 AM »
I paid Bituach Leumi online yesterday using a Chase Visa.

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #157 on: February 19, 2018, 11:27:35 AM »
I paid Bituach Leumi online yesterday using a Chase Visa.

Nice, which card exactly? CSR? Happy to see this now works!

Offline B.D.Da'ehu

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #158 on: February 19, 2018, 12:45:35 PM »
I just tried paying BL online and SPG, Aviator WM and Chase Sapphire were all declined because "need to pay with an Israeli cc" :(

Offline Mr. CC

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #159 on: February 19, 2018, 02:43:35 PM »
I just tried paying BL online and SPG, Aviator WM and Chase Sapphire were all declined because "need to pay with an Israeli cc" :(
try on the phone
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« Last Edit: February 19, 2018, 02:59:26 PM by Mr. CC »