BajaNomad - DO leave home without it (your AmEx card)

DO leave home without it (your AmEx card)

bajasusan/a - 1-1-2016 at 09:04 AM

Starting a new thread re using American Express at Pemex stations so folks dont have to read all the old stuff on the first thread to find out what a TERRIBLE idea it would be to depend on using an American Express card ANYWHERE south of Ensenada. I've made it home, but just barely with no food and having almost run out of gas for the 3rd time. People can argue with me if they like, but not one place--Pemex or otherwise, including ALL the stations mentioned in the other thread--between Guerrero Negro and Ensenada would take the card. And the even more frustrating fact is that several places SAID "yes" because they take "plastic" and do not know the difference until they try to use an AmEx, which will not work in their terminals, and then they ALL said "something is wrong with your chip." Not so...
GOOD NEWS for everyone but me: almost everyone of any sort takes MasterCard and Visa!!!

mtgoat666 - 1-1-2016 at 09:07 AM

I always use cash in Baja. visa and MC are occasionally useful. Why did you go to Baja with an Amex? No one takes Amex!

msteve1014 - 1-1-2016 at 09:13 AM

I know it is too late now, but why not get a cash advance in the states before you went with just that amex card??

You knew it was a bad plan.

bajasusan/a - 1-1-2016 at 09:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by msteve1014

I know it is too late now, but why not get a cash advance in the states before you went with just that amex card??

You knew it was a bad plan.

WELL, take your pick: (1) because i am stupid, or (2) because i live in tijuana, my purse was stolen 2 weeks ago, and i am still waiting for the replacement atm card, so AmEx was my only hope, and i had been told on the forum that i would most likely meet with success.

CortezBlue - 1-1-2016 at 09:20 AM

I don't think there is anything to argue with you about. Plastic, in general, in Mexico is dicey. I use my Marriott card because they are pretty good about letting it go through, however, Peso's is the name of the game. DEBIT cards from Wells hardly ever works, they will lock it down and then I have to get on my phone and call them to unlock it.

Just another experience you can tell the next time you are at the bar sharing horror stories!!

mtgoat666 - 1-1-2016 at 09:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajasusan/a

Quote: Originally posted by msteve1014

I know it is too late now, but why not get a cash advance in the states before you went with just that amex card??

You knew it was a bad plan.

You should get a local bank account so you can withdraw cash at a teller window,...
There are other ways to get cash w/o atm, teller window withdrawal, write a check to someone for cash, get a cash advance on CC,... Etc.
Also, get a bank that can replace card promptly, seems like a good bank should be able to do this in a day or 3, eh?

TMW - 1-1-2016 at 09:35 AM

The only place I had ever used my AmEx card in Baja/Baja Sur was at the Los Arcos hotel in La Paz when it was open.

AKgringo - 1-1-2016 at 09:46 AM

Susan, thanks for posting that information! I don't recall anyone giving you that warning when you were looking for advice a few weeks back. But then we wouldn't be able to slam you for making a mistake.

FYI, I use BOA for my credit transactions, because they are linked to my Alaska Airline card. I use Wells Fargo for my debit card with no problems since I let them know every time I get set to cross the border.

I also use it an ATM somewhere in the border crossing town to make sure it works before I get too far south. I also let them know when I get back NOB.

I realize that doesn't help a TJ resident much, but it may be useful info for someone.

4x4abc - 1-1-2016 at 10:20 AM

here is the thing on American Express - the fees for the merchant are much higher than for Visa/Master debit or CC

tell them it's AMEX or nothing and they mysteriously bring out the right terminal

David K - 1-1-2016 at 11:10 AM

Cash money, U.S. dollars or pesos, always works. (Period)
You asked before, we told you not to rely on plastic, but at least you made it back home. Thank you for verifying what some here said. Have a better trip next time.

ncampion - 1-1-2016 at 11:17 AM

I guess we all missed the fact that the CC you were taking was Amex. Visa and MC are the generally accepted cards in MX. Amex is a different kind of care, not affiliate with the Visa/MC network. Credit/Debit cards are accepted in Baja, but I would only use Visa/MC. Sorry about the confusion.
BTW, if you live in TJ, why don't you have a Mexican bank card? Makes life easier to have a Mexican account in lots of ways.

23S52N - 1-1-2016 at 11:17 AM

I only use pesos for everything when travelling down. Then my Scotiabank visa works at all the major stores in La Paz and my Visa/Debit gets me pesos at the ATM. I filed my AE card years ago in 13.

Regards
Keith

durrelllrobert - 1-1-2016 at 12:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666

I always use cash in Baja. visa and MC are occasionally useful. Why did you go to Baja with an Amex? No one takes Amex!

.and US too Costco has already quit accepting them

DanO - 1-1-2016 at 12:56 PM

Want some actual facts? Amex is accepted south of Ensenada and at Costco. I call Amex before I go down and tell them I'm using it SOB and I have no issues. Because of the vendor fee, some places don't accept it, just like NOB, so I have a Visa backup. Costco has discontinued their in-house Amex card (switching to global monetary rapists Citibank), but you can still pay at Costco using your own Amex. I'm no Amex cheerleader, but I like it because it's like having cash without carrying cash and there's no interest charge.

Bajahowodd - 1-1-2016 at 06:01 PM

Amex is not accepted by many merchants NOB for the fact that they do charge higher fees to the merchant. My experience is that Amex is accepted mostly by large hotels and big restaurants SOB. Therefore, when we travel, I always have a Visa card along with the Amex, which I use selectively at larger hotels and restaurants.

BajaBlanca - 1-1-2016 at 09:27 PM

hungry and no gas means not a happy camper! sorry about your ordeal and thanks so much for posting.

I have absolutely no problem at all with wells fargo debit - have used it for 3 years now, all over Baja.

bajasusan/a - 1-2-2016 at 02:10 PM

Thank YOU for this response, and I am totally acknowledging that several folks on the first thread re AmEx DID try to warn me off (some not so kindly, but still, accurately as it turns out). But without giving you good strangers ALL the details of my financial life, let me just try to assure you that I am aware of all the good options being suggested, and for one reason and another am not able to take advantage of them. For example, I cannot foresee the time when I will have the requisite 200USD to open a Mexican bank account!

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

Susan, thanks for posting that information! I don't recall anyone giving you that warning when you were looking for advice a few weeks back. But then we wouldn't be able to slam you for making a mistake.

FYI, I use BOA for my credit transactions, because they are linked to my Alaska Airline card. I use Wells Fargo for my debit card with no problems since I let them know every time I get set to cross the border.

I also use it an ATM somewhere in the border crossing town to make sure it works before I get too far south. I also let them know when I get back NOB.

I realize that doesn't help a TJ resident much, but it may be useful info for someone.

bajasusan/a - 1-2-2016 at 02:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc

here is the thing on American Express - the fees for the merchant are much higher than for Visa/Master debit or CC

tell them it's AMEX or nothing and they mysteriously bring out the right terminal

ADM! (ODM in english) That never occurred to me, and after living in the Baja for 7 years it should have! jajajajajajaa