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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 57590 times)

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #60 on: November 17, 2017, 05:01:01 AM »
I've done it probably hundreds of times with US cards including CSR. If there is something new I'll find out next week when I pay my bill.

So have I, this was the first time it was a no-go.  I also used the card today somewhere else, so I know it isn't a problem with the card.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #61 on: November 17, 2017, 07:55:51 AM »
There's only one  ;D
When?
In October. Signed up for autopay, hopefully it continues to work
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Offline Z56

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #62 on: November 17, 2017, 11:28:13 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.

what did you put in as your ID ?
“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 #63 on: November 18, 2017, 12:19:19 PM »
what did you put in as your ID ?

My TZ, as I've always done.  What do you use?

Offline Z56

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #64 on: November 18, 2017, 06:37:24 PM »
My TZ, as I've always done.  What do you use?

I used to use my passport number and it never worked
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #65 on: November 18, 2017, 09:13:03 PM »
I used to use my passport number and it never worked
ANY real TZ should work. Doesn't matter whether it's yours or not. (There's no link between a TZ and US credit card.)

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #66 on: November 18, 2017, 09:47:42 PM »
ANY real TZ should work. Doesn't matter whether it's yours or not. (There's no link between a TZ and US credit card.)
correct, same as with every company that asks for a TZ#

Offline Ergel

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #67 on: November 19, 2017, 10:33:30 AM »
I just paid my mortgage with my US AMEX CC (there was a problem with my horadat keva). Try that in the US.
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Offline Boruch999

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #68 on: November 19, 2017, 10:51:33 AM »
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  :)

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #69 on: November 19, 2017, 11:40:43 AM »
I just paid my mortgage with my US AMEX CC (there was a problem with my horadat keva). Try that in the US.

Please do spill the beans on this!  Which bank and what problem?  Will they allow you to do it again?  I actually did a great deal of due diligence in trying to find a bank that would work with me on allowing that -- no dice.

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #70 on: November 19, 2017, 11:42:58 AM »
Sure it's not a CA?  Which bank?

I'd like to arrainge a permanet problem with my horaat keva  :)
Heck, I think a whole bunch of us would just buy any Israeli real estate and arrange a problem with the horaat keva just to be able to pay by AMEX (hope it doesn't show up as cash advance).
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
-- Dan

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #71 on: November 19, 2017, 11:45:38 AM »
Heck, I think a whole bunch of us would just buy any Israeli real estate and arrange a problem with the horaat keva just to be able to pay by AMEX (hope it doesn't show up as cash advance).

I'm sure this arrangement could be kept up for 3-4 months with various excuses ("I was abroad" "busy at work" etc. etc.) but at some point the bank would lose its patience.

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #72 on: November 19, 2017, 11:55:44 AM »
And back on topic: I was able to pay my water bill today with U.S. Amex Plat.  Arnona is coming up; last time none of my U.S. cards would go through, so I had to put it on the Fly Card Premium (only 33-50% accrual for gov't. bills, depending on card issuer).  We'll see how it goes this time...

Offline moish

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #73 on: November 19, 2017, 12:56:07 PM »
And back on topic: I was able to pay my water bill today with U.S. Amex Plat.  Arnona is coming up; last time none of my U.S. cards would go through, so I had to put it on the Fly Card Premium (only 33-50% accrual for gov't. bills, depending on card issuer).  We'll see how it goes this time...
Strange. I usually pay arnona with a US card

Offline moe8555

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #74 on: November 19, 2017, 01:05:34 PM »
Strange. I usually pay arnona with a US card

Same, although last month none worked.

Offline Jack out of the box

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #75 on: November 19, 2017, 01:37:55 PM »
Strange. I usually pay arnona with a US card
Which billing company processes your arnona payments? By me it's pay24.co.il. It's been on and off over the years. Sometimes no US cards worked, sometimes only Amex, and lately I think I've been paying with Visa.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #76 on: November 19, 2017, 01:40:07 PM »
Paid Arnona a couple of weeks ago with no issues
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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #77 on: November 19, 2017, 01:42:59 PM »
Please do spill the beans on this!  Which bank and what problem?  Will they allow you to do it again?  I actually did a great deal of due diligence in trying to find a bank that would work with me on allowing that -- no dice.
Tfachot. My bank never received the hoaradat kevah form (even though we gave it to them). Unfortunately, I only received the letter that I could pay with CC after I already resolved the horadat kevah with my bank for next month. They didn't sound too keen at all on paying again with CC
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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #78 on: November 19, 2017, 01:58:13 PM »
Tfachot. My bank never received the hoaradat kevah form (even though we gave it to them). Unfortunately, I only received the letter that I could pay with CC after I already resolved the horadat kevah with my bank for next month. They didn't sound too keen at all on paying again with CC

Interesting, let us know how the charge ends up processing (cash advance or not).

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Re: Master List: Israeli companies and sites that decline US cards
« Reply #79 on: November 19, 2017, 01:59:20 PM »
Which billing company processes your arnona payments? By me it's pay24.co.il. It's been on and off over the years. Sometimes no US cards worked, sometimes only Amex, and lately I think I've been paying with Visa.

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.