BajaNomad - Credit cards accepted at Pemex stations?

Credit cards accepted at Pemex stations?

unbob - 3-29-2012 at 08:30 PM

Yes/no? Visa and/or MasterCard? Decent exchange rate? All/none Pemex stations or some do and some don't?

I specifically want to know of any stations in or north of Cd. Constitucion to Tecate.

On the road and running low on pesos - and my ATM debit card expired about a week ago! But I've got mucho credit cards!

Gracias amigos!

Rob(erto)

CortezBlue - 3-29-2012 at 08:38 PM

Only Mexican credit cards

I have not seen any of the Pemex stations in Baja Norte takr gringo cards

Los Pinos?

Ken Cooke - 3-29-2012 at 08:47 PM

At Los Pinos - San Quintin, you have access to an ATM machine. I believe you can also use a credit card there to gas up your vehicle at the adjacent PEMEX station.

I've Heard

MrBillM - 3-29-2012 at 09:37 PM

That you can give your Credit Card to the Guy who washes your windshield and he'll take care of things.

Give it a try and let us know how it works out.

goldhuntress - 3-29-2012 at 10:42 PM

About a year ago I believe my BF used his at the El Rosario Pemex.

acadist - 3-30-2012 at 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
That you can give your Credit Card to the Guy who washes your windshield and he'll take care of things.

Give it a try and let us know how it works out.

Marc - 3-30-2012 at 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
That you can give your Credit Card to the Guy who washes your windshield and he'll take care of things.

Give it a try and let us know how it works out.

And also your social security number. :lol:

MikeYounghusband - 3-30-2012 at 06:03 AM

I was heading south last year and the ATM in Ensanada ate my money. (Long story) Anyway, I got gas with my American Visa at San Quintin and in Ensanada, Loreto, almost all of the populated towns do. Not all take them but you can ask at any station and they will lead you to the one that does.
Don't know the exchange rate but there was no fee on the Mexican side.

Bob and Susan - 3-30-2012 at 06:17 AM

call your bank...they will reactivate the expired card for a short period until you get back home

just tell them where you are and your problem

if you have trouble with the first operator talk to the supervisor
they'll take care of this small problem

unless...you are out of cash of course

DavidE - 3-30-2012 at 07:04 AM

I don't like the tacked-on currency conversion fee that is way pricier than using ATM pesos.

bajadock - 3-30-2012 at 07:14 AM

Three Pemex stations that I use regularly with credit card are:
1. Hwy1(Reforma) at Estancia(the east/west blvd that leads to Ensenada's municipal beach)
2. 1/4 mile south of Ensenada toll booth Hwy1, east side.
3. Rosarito 7-11/Pemex on Hwy 1

Pompano - 3-30-2012 at 07:48 AM

Credit card problem in USA.

This is happening now:

MasterCard warns of possible security breach, Visa also reportedly affected

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/30/visa-mastercard-warn-ma...

mes1952 - 3-30-2012 at 08:03 AM

I drive from Rosarito to the border several times a week and never had a problem finding a Pemex along the way that accepts debit cards as well as credit cards.
Perhaps if you are in the more remote areas that is the case. I actually use my debit card for almost everything including grocery stores, gas, Telcel, etc. as the bank exchange rate is better than changing dollars into pesos.

ncampion - 3-30-2012 at 08:06 AM

Many Pemex stations gladly take US credit/debit cards. Do it all the time.

Ask first.................

[Edited on 3-30-2012 by ncampion]

KASHEYDOG - 3-30-2012 at 08:17 AM

I use mine for most everything also. Haven't had any trouble from T.J. to San Quintin. I would suggest that you call your bank's customer service dept. before going down and let them know how long you'll be down there...... I have found with Wells Fargo that if they don't know you're in Mexico they suspend the card after the first transaction. I usually call on the way down from San Diego....

David K - 3-30-2012 at 09:28 AM

EL ROSARIO PEMEX has, in the past...

Bajajorge - 3-30-2012 at 09:29 AM

My best suggestion is, don't use your credit card in Mexico, never ever. My Capital One got destroyed by some thief in San Felipe, and it was at one of the so called higher reputation restaurants. :fire:

mes1952 - 3-30-2012 at 04:53 PM

I've never had any problem with using my debit card in TJ or Ensenada or Rosarito for over 2 years. I rarely use cash.

Russ - 3-30-2012 at 04:58 PM

The station by the harbor in Santa Rosalia take them.

aguachico - 3-30-2012 at 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by unbob
Yes/no? Visa and/or MasterCard? Decent exchange rate? All/none Pemex stations or some do and some don't?

I specifically want to know of any stations in or north of Cd. Constitucion to Tecate.

On the road and running low on pesos - and my ATM debit card expired about a week ago! But I've got mucho credit cards!

Gracias amigos!

Rob(erto)

great rate no problem Electronic is the only way to pay. much safer than pesos

Bajahowodd - 3-31-2012 at 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
EL ROSARIO PEMEX has, in the past...

A few years back I flashed a card at that station and was advised they would add 5% to the charge if I wanted to use it.

On my most recent trip, I noticed several Pemex station with a sign out front Spouting "ECO", with a Visa and Mastercard logo. Since I've been inured to the idea of using cash at Pemex, I didn't investigate it further.

unbob - 3-31-2012 at 04:26 PM

Gracias amigos for all the replies!

Turns out my card was not expired after all. I used it at an ATM in Loreto yesterday (Fri) and it worked!

The expiration date on the card is '03/12' which I understood to mean the end date of the March billing period (in my case 03/26) but apparently it's good till 03/31 (today).

In any case I got the 2,000 pesos I needed and all is well. Crossing at Tecate mañana. Sure hate to leave my beloved Baja but family matters prevail. But I shall return!

Buena suerte to all! Rob

David K - 3-31-2012 at 05:48 PM

Yah, and our restaurant in Vista adds 50 cents if you want to pay in plastic... The 5% covers the fee the bank charges Antonio to offer you the convenience of paying in plastic instead of cash.

The El Rosario bashing is getting real old boys...

El Rosario's pumps are 100% honest and Baja's Best has good meals all the times we have been there. Of course, I have never gotten sick eating at Mama Espinoza's either... so it must be an attitude thing for some Nomads??? Come on, you're in Baja not Paris or Las Vegas... geeze. :rolleyes:

rts551 - 3-31-2012 at 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Yah, and our restaurant in Vista adds 50 cents if you want to pay in plastic... The 5% covers the fee the bank charges Antonio to offer you the convenience of paying in plastic instead of cash.

The El Rosario bashing is getting real old boys...

El Rosario's pumps are 100% honest and Baja's Best has good meals all the times we have been there. Of course, I have never gotten sick eating at Mama Espinoza's either... so it must be an attitude thing for some Nomads??? Come on, you're in Baja not Paris or Las Vegas... geeze. :rolleyes:

YADAYADA....most places I use my cards do not charge a fee (at least explicitly). roll eyes roll eyes

DianaT - 4-1-2012 at 07:55 AM

Quote:

Will you ever get past it? Just because people disagree with your opinions, your taste in things and/or they become ill from eating at a place you like, it is not "an attitude" thing.

Enjoy your choices in places, speak highly of them, and please allow people the right to do the same----reviews both positive and negative without you passing judgment.

[Edited on 4-1-2012 by DianaT]

rts551 - 4-1-2012 at 12:30 PM

First I have heard that attitude makes you sick. Now taking an additional 5% can make you sick.

How about the other Pemex's, do they take 5%?

mcfez - 4-3-2012 at 07:35 AM

The station near the San Felipe round a bout takes credit cards. Honest place....crapola personnel working there.

David K - 4-3-2012 at 10:03 AM

That's true Deno... even Antonio can get a bad employee at the station... but his pumps are not altered.

Some people live in la la land, and cannot adapt or get beyond some basic truths...

Like if there is a fee or tax added to a business, then the business must pass on that increase or take a financial loss. Guess what, the business has done nothing wrong when they add a 5% for credit card use...

If they didn't experience a card fee at another business it just means that other business has raised its price to EVERYONE instead of just the card users! Business Economy 101...

I love the way the government says that because the cost of gasoline is high, we should increase taxes on gasoline companies :rolleyes:

(oh yah, that will make the price lower)... :lol:

rts551 - 4-3-2012 at 11:47 AM

Added to the price?Not at a Pemex station. Price is controlled remember.

on edit: get outa lala land

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
That's true Deno... even Antonio can get a bad employee at the station... but his pumps are not altered.

Some people live in la la land, and cannot adapt or get beyond some basic truths...

Like if there is a fee or tax added to a business, then the business must pass on that increase or take a financial loss. Guess what, the business has done nothing wrong when they add a 5% for credit card use...

If they didn't experience a card fee at another business it just means that other business has raised its price to EVERYONE instead of just the card users! Business Economy 101...

I love the way the government says that because the cost of gasoline is high, we should increase taxes on gasoline companies :rolleyes:

(oh yah, that will make the price lower)... :lol:

[Edited on 4-3-2012 by rts551]

mcfez - 4-3-2012 at 02:37 PM

Most people are unaware that every time they use a credit card, the business making the sale is charged a transaction fee. These fees are known as interchange ......2.5% to 3% last time I read about it.......in the U.S. The reason why Costco dont take Visa or Mastercard...........

There will always be folks visiting Mexico..... thinking that got screwed for something. Perhaps they need to buy a Lazy Boy and watch the travel channel at home.

Quote:

(oh yah, that will make the price lower)... :lol:

Bajahowodd - 4-3-2012 at 03:13 PM

Does anyone know what profit per gallon margin is for Pemex franchisees? If it is anything like the US, it would be rather tiny compared to the total price at the pump. That is a major reason why so many Pemex franchisees have partnered with convenience store chains, or in some cases, just started their own. More profit inside than outside.

I don't begrudge any dealer from adding for the use of a credit card. After all, many stations NOB have done that for many years.

So, fundamentally, for the franchisees, installing whatever equipment they need and the internet or satellite connection to do it would be all that it would take. My guess is that with the exception of areas with major tourist traffic, they don't do it, as few Mexicans would take advantage.

That said. To listen to DK, one would think that Antonio is the only dealer in Mexico with honest pumps. The fact is that a very few rogue dealers seem to have poisoned the well.

Just thinking that just perhaps it would be worth being overcharged by a buck at a place that had clean restrooms with toilet paper, soap and towels. :lol:

[Edited on 4-3-2012 by Bajahowodd]

David K - 4-3-2012 at 03:29 PM

I never said Antonio's is the only station that is honest... silly howard,

I got a note from Baja Cat (who we are waiting to read of his trip to San Francisco de la Sierra), that construction of the Baja Cactus Pemex NEW restrooms is well underway... and they will resemble the beautiful tiled bathrooms of the Baja Cactus Motel.

Bajahowodd - 4-3-2012 at 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
I never said Antonio's is the only station that is honest... silly howard,

I got a note from Baja Cat (who we are waiting to read of his trip to San Francisco de la Sierra), that construction of the Baja Cactus Pemex NEW restrooms is well underway... and they will resemble the beautiful tiled bathrooms of the Baja Cactus Motel.

Didn't say that's what you said. But, just had to comment because you kept harping on Antonio's honest pumps, as if. And, tiled bathrooms do not equal clean with towels and TP. IMO

805gregg - 4-4-2012 at 07:16 PM

I leave my credit cards in a safe place at home and only use cash. Why get ripped off?