Credit Cards in Mexico

[goofyguy7]

We tried to use a credit card in Cabo san Lucas and were told there was a 10% surcharge. I don't know if this was a vendor, state, or country surcharge but we were able to scrape enough case together to avoid the surcharge.

So for anything that is not being billed to your stateroom, you might want to use cash.

Guest services will give you $100 cash per stateroom but only if you have a personal check. Credit cards are not accepted.

 

[webray]

We have been all over mexico and never had that happen. Restaurants, shops and bars.

The only extra charge we have ever encountered was from a couple of our credit card companies themselves..and out of country fee or something like that..it was minimal, but we didn't appreciate, so, of course..those cards are being cancelled..lol!

 

[mom+3girls]

I was talking to a bank manager the other day about my trip, and she told me to be aware that sometimes places in Mexico do charge a fee, she said that not all do but some do, I didn't realize that it would be 10%. WOW!!!

 

[Regina]

We didn't have this problem in Cabo. We charged some men's cologne in one of the shops. Other than that purchase, we paid cash for everything else.

 

[pdarrah]

I have never beed told there was a "charge" for using a CC in Mexico - but I have been able to get a DISCOUNT for using cash! It basically amounts to the same idea. On our first visit to Mexico years ago, we found out about this and had to really scrape up the cash for a purchase . Now we make a point of having plenty of cash when we go there. (I usually wear a money belt under my clothes with most of it.) Often, you have to ask if there is a "cash discount" or if the price is the same if you pay cash.

pdarrah

 

[justmestace]

We didn't get charged a fee by any of the stores in Cabo, PV or Mazatlan...but the credit card company did charge a fee to convert to U.S. dollars. It wasn't 10%...and I figured it was worth it to not have to carry cash around.

Interestingly, some vendors converted the price before charging it, thus, no fee from the bank....and some didn't. I notice that things we purchased on a DCL excursion got converted by the vendors, but none at the shops in the towns.
For example, we paid extra on our Las Caletas tour to scuba dive...they converted it first.

 

[mom+3girls]

After reading these post, I am beginning to wonder if the bank manager meant that the banks charge a fee for some of the merchants and not others, now I am not sure if it is the bank or the merchant.

 

[meandmad]

That happened to us years ago in Jamaica. What we were buying were "common" souveniers that could be bought anywhere. I told the man we'd find a store that would not charge us that bogus fee and, surprise, surprise... he backed off. I think it's just a way for them to extort money out of tourists.

On a similar note, be careful about using your credit card in some of these smaller island countries. Last year after cruising and shopping some islands in the Southern Caribbean, my father's credit card came up with some significant fraudulent charges, all made in Venezuela.

 

[pdarrah]

After reading these post, I am beginning to wonder if the bank manager meant that the banks charge a fee for some of the merchants and not others, now I am not sure if it is the bank or the merchant.

It could easily be both! Merchants are charged a percentage of the sale for "processing" which varies based on volume of sales, value of sales, the merchant's credit standing and the whim of the processing service company. It wouldn't be all that surprising for merchants who have high percentages taken by the processors to want to get that back - they do not have to pay that fee if they sell the item for cash, so they look at it that they are getting back the money they are "losing" by taking a credit card. Bank's often charge consumers for the conversion from one currency to another (and any other fees they can get away with). The currency charge makes some sense since the rates change constantly and they have to use the current rate when they are "buying" pesos to pay the merchant. Sometimes that exchange fee is "better" than the merchant would give you if he is accepting your foreign currency and sometimes not.

Basically, there are a lot of factors. If you are thinking of making a large purchase outside the USA, it is probably worth while to check with your CC company about their policies.

pdarrah

 

[Allie in Wonderland]

There was an article about this in our sunday paper recently. It said Visa and master card at major banks charge 2t3 percent fee. It also said discover card doesn't charge any fee. We are crusing July 30th and will use discover for all Mexico purchases.

 

[tvguy]

Really no different than here at home. The local convience store takes credit cards, but only for purchases over $5, or they will charge a 25 cent processing fee.
My auto mechanic (one man shop) hasn't taken credit cards in over 25 years, just cheaper and easer for him to take a check, or arrange payments with the customer (no extra charge, just spread the bill out over a few months).

What eats me are the gas stations and stores that charge a 35 cent fee for using an ATM or Debit card. What's up with that, the money goes directly into their account, they don't even have to take a check to the bank. That, is a rip off.