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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 57585 times)

Offline moe8555

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Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« on: November 18, 2016, 06:33:42 AM »
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
-Cellcom (attempted with CSR)
-BigDeal http://www.bigdeal.co.il (Groupon copycat) (attempted with CSR)
-Club Teva website (if you happen to be a Teva employee  :))) (attempted with CSR)


Tentative
-Mika gas stations (tried using at the pump, it let me put in about 30 shekels worth of gas and stopped -- was in a rush, didn't try going inside to pay, which sometimes works)
-My son's afternoon daycare provider.  They said I'll only know for sure when they attempt to charge next month's payment, will update.

Other
-Cellarix (Israeli social payment app/site).  It let me send money, but Chase categorized it as a cash advance (attempted with CSR)
« Last Edit: November 18, 2016, 07:55:08 AM by moe8555 »

Offline B.D.Da'ehu

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Re: Israeli companies and sites that accept (or decline) US cards
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2016, 06:35:27 AM »
I pay Golan with a US CC every month.

Offline emjee

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Re: Israeli companies and sites that accept (or decline) US cards
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2016, 06:38:37 AM »
To keep things more simple I'd say it should be a list of places that don't accept and don't accept what (amex for example) . IME over the years, most places/merchants accept american cc's

Offline moe8555

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Re: Israeli companies and sites that accept (or decline) US cards
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2016, 06:43:34 AM »
To keep things more simple I'd say it should be a list of places that don't accept and don't accept what (amex for example) . IME over the years, most places/merchants accept american cc's

Ok, if you think so.  I figured it'd be nice to have "peace of mind" regarding what definitely works.  I think you're right regarding brick and mortar stores, but any online payments/Internet stores are more a roll of the dice.  Also, from what I've heard from a friend, he's never been declined using a US Amex at a place that takes an Israeli Amex (but please correct me if I'm wrong!).

Offline moe8555

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Re: Israeli companies and sites that accept (or decline) US cards
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2016, 06:48:58 AM »
I pay Golan with a US CC every month.

Are you paying via PayPal, or Golan's processing?  I just tried changing my card to the CSR through Golan's own processing and it wouldn't let me.

And if by PayPal, how do you make sure it doesn't use PayPal's currency conversion?

Offline emjee

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2016, 06:51:14 AM »
Are you paying via PayPal, or Golan's processing?  I just tried changing my card to the CSR through Golan's own processing and it wouldn't let me.

And if by PayPal, how do you make sure it doesn't use PayPal's currency conversion?
Don't talk to them . They won't take it. Change it online in your login .

Offline David Smith

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #6 on: November 18, 2016, 06:53:31 AM »
Golan doesn't code as 5x on Ink for me, btw.
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2016, 06:59:29 AM »
Don't talk to them . They won't take it. Change it online in your login .

That's what I tried, wouldn't let me..

Offline B.D.Da'ehu

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Re: Israeli companies and sites that accept (or decline) US cards
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2016, 07:00:14 AM »
Are you paying via PayPal, or Golan's processing?  I just tried changing my card to the CSR through Golan's own processing and it wouldn't let me.

And if by PayPal, how do you make sure it doesn't use PayPal's currency conversion?
Nothing to do with paypal.

Offline Z56

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2016, 07:09:13 AM »
I only use Us cc here. I never got declined.

And if I did I call the company on the phone, and it works all the time

Gas station you have to go inside to get a 200₪ Limit
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #10 on: November 18, 2016, 07:16:23 AM »
I only use Us cc here. I never got declined.

And if I did I call the company on the phone, and it works all the time

Gas station you have to go inside to get a 200₪ Limit

I tried calling Cellcom, no dice.  The rep tried then, after it failed, she asked me flat out if it was a foreign card.  When I said yes, she said that's why it didn't work and no way around it.

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #11 on: November 18, 2016, 07:18:42 AM »
I tried calling Cellcom, no dice.  The rep tried then, after it failed, she asked me flat out if it was a foreign card.  When I said yes, she said that's why it didn't work and no way around it.

I can only vouch for Hot mobile. Works like a charm!
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline Saybcbd

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2016, 01:30:48 PM »
I tried calling Cellcom, no dice.  The rep tried then, after it failed, she asked me flat out if it was a foreign card.  When I said yes, she said that's why it didn't work and no way around it.
Cellcom accepts us cards in stores for purchases but not online or over the phone or for recurring charges I think they need to swipe it

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #13 on: November 19, 2016, 01:13:13 PM »
Bituach Leumi works for me only on the phone or in their office - not online.
Kavim Rav Kav machines - I tried Visa and MC a while ago but was not accepted, Discover and Amex work.
Arnona/water in my city (processed through http://pay24.co.il/) hadn't worked for several years but recently I've been using Amex without issue.
Cellcom bills my Discover monthly.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2016, 04:04:34 PM by Jack out of the box »

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #14 on: November 19, 2016, 01:18:01 PM »


Kavim Rav Kav machines - I tried Visa an MC a while ago but was not accepted.

If u ever take the light rail (train), Use machines there to fill up . Iirc though , no  amex

Offline since1492

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #15 on: November 19, 2016, 02:09:37 PM »
I have paid chashmal, mayim and arnona all on US cards and they all accept it
the masmid atzum
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Offline Boruch999

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #16 on: November 19, 2016, 02:11:49 PM »

If u ever take the light rail (train), Use machines there to fill up . Iirc though , no  amex
I've done Amex

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #17 on: November 19, 2016, 03:55:28 PM »
Thanks for the data points.   I'm going to turn this into a wiki and update shortly.

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #18 on: November 19, 2016, 04:47:59 PM »
Actually was trying checkout on Alibaba.com and was only able to checkout with my Israeli CC since my shipping address was in Israel
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Offline freddy

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Re: Israeli companies and sites that accept (or decline) US cards
« Reply #19 on: November 19, 2016, 04:54:30 PM »
Are you paying via PayPal, or Golan's processing?  I just tried changing my card to the CSR through Golan's own processing and it wouldn't let me.

And if by PayPal, how do you make sure it doesn't use PayPal's currency conversion?
They don't let you pay past due with US cards so if your cc doesn't go thru you'll have to pay up with an Israeli card.
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