Monday, June 30, 2014

Citi Bike tells tourist: Sorry, your foreign credit card didn't work

Communication from Citi Bike

"Thank you for contacting NYC Bike Share, operator of Citi Bike.

We’re sorry to hear that you’ve had difficulty with your transaction. Citi Bike does accept foreign-issued credit cards that belong to the following international networks: Mastercard & Visa.

Processing of internationally-issued cards is, however, subject to issuer approval. If you have any questions as to whether or not your card is connected to the international payment network, we would encourage you to contact your financial institution and inquire with them about authorization."

Facebook member’s comment

SO, let me get this straight. First you say that you don't accept ANY Visa or Mastercard cards if they are foreign. THEN you say the problem is subject to issuer approval??? Which is it, CitiBike or the issuer??

Clearly it is CitiBike, as the Visa and Mastercard cards we are trying and failing with you, work everywhere else all over the world. It is NOT the issuer that prevents a transaction on your CitiBike network, it is your system.

Pretty poor experience for every visitor to New Work, wouldn't you say? Sub standard, poor, ill-thought through and in practice, just lame. Fix it up, boys.

4 comments:

  1. Looks to me like Citibike said it DOES accept foreign-issued credit cards, but the member misread the response.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Seriously, it says: Citi Bike DOES accept foreign-issued credit cards that belong to the following international networks: Mastercard & Visa. Processing of internationally-issued cards is, however, subject to issuer approval.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ben, I think the point is no matter what Citi Bike told him, he couldn't use the card and says he uses it all over the world.

      Delete
  3. Well, I tried all of my 4 credit cards (issued in EU) - each of them is VISA or MasterCard. None worked ....
    that's crazy ...

    ReplyDelete