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danaeb
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Credit crunch for real: Volaris declining ALL US credit card purchases
I had an unsettling experience this weekend when I attempted to purchase a ticket online from Volaris for travel from TIJ-LAP this Christmas. After
entering my credit card info and submitting the data to purchase the flight, an error message was displayed to the effect that the transaction was not
accepted.
I called my credit card company first. There was no problem with the card and in fact, the Volaris transaction had never reached them. I then called
Volaris and was told by their customer service rep that the "system is declining ALL US credit cards." When I asked what my options were, he
suggested I go to the airport and purchase the ticket with cash. Let that sink in for a minute.
Anyone else think this is scary???
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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David K
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I think it is an issue with Volaris, and not your U.S. credit card... So, not scary IMO...
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danaeb
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You missed my point David. I know it's not a problem with MY card. They are not accepting ANY US credit cards.
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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oldlady
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I can think of a couple of reasons why David K may be correct, particularly if
your credit card is being accepted by US Merchants.
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Dave
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Agree
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I think it is an issue with Volaris, and not your U.S. credit card. |
The scary part is Volaris apparently needs hard cash. Don't know that I'd want to fly an airline in that financial condition.
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bajalou
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danaeb states "US credit cards" - which implies that they accept them from other countries. Not everyone in the world thinks the US credit problems
are over.
No Bad Days
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\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
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And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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vandenberg
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Maybe they're running on such a tight margin, that even the 3 %(?) credit card processing fee is too much to give away for their budget.
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danaeb
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Thanks Lou. That was the point. Volaris is a healthy airline (Carlos Slim's baby). If I had been told that they weren't accepting ANY credit card
payments I would agree with David and oldlady, but the CSR told me explicitly that it was US credit cards.
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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BajaGringo
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Personally I wish that all businesses would stop taking credit cards for 90 days, only accepting cash and debit cards. That might get folks thinking
about what it is like to just live off what you have and get off the credit fix so many are addicted to today.
Maybe Volaris is doing us a favor...
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Dave
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Probably more to do with the float.
| Quote: | Originally posted by vandenberg
Maybe they're running on such a tight margin, that even the 3 %(?) credit card processing fee is too much to give away for their budget. |
Time and expense to clear accounts.
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Cajones
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
Personally I wish that all businesses would stop taking credit cards for 90 days, only accepting cash and debit cards. That might get folks thinking
about what it is like to just live off what you have and get off the credit fix so many are addicted to today.
Maybe Volaris is doing us a favor... |
That makes absolutely no sense. I have no debt and use credit cards because I don't like to carry a lot of cash. Why do I have to think about living
off what I have? That's what I already do. And what about those businesses? You are asking them to restrict their sales to cash? How does that help
their bottom line? If a credit card customer does not pay his credit card, the credit card company loses the money, not the business.
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danaeb
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So - I just tried again. Called Volaris to extract a little more information. They are NOT accepting (and these are his exact words) "any AMERICAN
Visa or Mastercard accounts". They are accepting US American Express cards.
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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BajaGringo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cajones
| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
Personally I wish that all businesses would stop taking credit cards for 90 days, only accepting cash and debit cards. That might get
folks thinking about what it is like to just live off what you have and get off the credit fix so many are addicted to today.
Maybe Volaris is doing us a favor... |
That makes absolutely no sense. I have no debt and use credit cards because I don't like to carry a lot of cash. Why do I have to think about living
off what I have? That's what I already do. And what about those businesses? You are asking them to restrict their sales to cash? How does that help
their bottom line? If a credit card customer does not pay his credit card, the credit card company loses the money, not the business.
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Read the entire post - I said cash and debit cards. Debit card transactions link directly to checking accounts - actual cash in your account.
Obviously I made the post tongue in cheek only trying to address the bigger issue that too many folks today are living off credit.
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Dave
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Then the question should be...
| Quote: | Originally posted by danaeb
They are NOT accepting (and these are his exact words) "any AMERICAN Visa or Mastercard accounts". They are accepting US American Express cards.
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How long to clear MC/VISA vs AMEX?
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bajajudy
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Well since most Visa and Mastercards are issued by banks maybe they are worried about the banks folding.
Amex issues its own cards.
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danaeb
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OK - just completed the transaction using AmEx. Judy - I think you're right. There's a fear that many US banks may not be solvent. Who know what
load of crap they may be sitting on. Now we know why Slim got so rich?
[Edited on 10-5-2008 by danaeb]
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
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bajalou
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I think much of the world view the financial problems in the US much more seriously than the average American who thinks "This really can't effect
me."
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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BajaGringo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
I think much of the world view the financial problems in the US much more seriously than the average American who thinks "This really can't effect
me." |
BINGO!!!
We have a winner...
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oxxo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajalou
I think much of the world view the financial problems in the US much more seriously than the average American who thinks "This really can't effect
me." |
I agree. I think it is entirely possible that some American businesses my stop accepting Visa/Mastercard for purchases in the near future. This
could hit home sooner than we might think. My family is making contingency plans, just in case.
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vacaenbaja
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Perhaps it is a matter of cash flow. In times like thse cash is king. Even in less volital times financial institutions play little games all centered
around keeping cash as long as possible. They play the float.
Time is money when holding cash. And when millions/billions are involved thats alot of cash that can be made if you could just hold it long enough.
Checks and credit are not cash.
One suspends payment and the other is sort of a calculated gamble that the person will pay. The risk factor is built into the interest rate. Kicking
the can ahead so to speak.
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