Los Angeles - San Francisco - Las Vegas - LA Advice needed.

[Midwest Michael]

If it says card not recognized then there clearly is something that is wrong on your bank's end.

If it is actually a Visa card, then there is no reason it shouldn't work in the US or anywhere else in the world, but what might be specifically wrong in this case, I couldn't begin to guess.

Since your bank is closed, you might try calling Visa Customer Assistance at 1-800-847-2911.

[Lifemagician]

That is why I always carry several methods of payment. Two cards from different banks and CASH!!!!

Lifey

[bednarz5]

I have faund out that card works when swiped method is used and then 'credit' selected. It wont work after swipe if I chose 'debit'. Isnt strange? However it wont work when chip is used to confirm payment so also I am not able to withdraw any cash from atm's. Bank still closed, will call them tomorrow. Bastards...good job I have got some cash and good credit card otherwise would be doomed.

[Southwest Dave]

I am not sure if the main stores in the US do 'cash back' as they do in the UK when you purchase something, but it's worth checking. Example, buy something for $20, they charge card $100 and give you $80 change in cash.

[Midwest Michael]

I have faund out that card works when swiped method is used and then 'credit' selected. It wont work after swipe if I chose 'debit'. Isnt strange?

It's not really that strange or surprising, and that's why exactly I suggested running the card as credit. It's a little complicated, but essentially running the card as credit you're forcing the system to see it as a Visa card, where debit transactions run through a different network that your card apparently doesn't support.

FWIW, when you try to use an American debit card in most other countries, the same issues frequently come up, although it's usually not an issue at ATMs, so for that you will still need to contact your bank.

Also keep in mind that the US is just starting to use chip cards, and the banks here for some reason I can't understand have decided to use the chip and sign, instead of the chip and pin that everyone else in the world uses, which could cause some additional issues.

The cashback option that Dave mentioned is common, but you typically have to run your card as a debit card for it to work, so I don't think you'll have much luck with it using that card.

[Lifemagician]

When you contact the bank, be sure to check that the 'credit' entries you have made are not attracting the horrendous credit card interest. Especially since you already had money on the card. Chances are those entries will not have been deducted from the cash on the card.

Michael, back in 2009 Bank of America would not give me cash unless I had a card with a chip, which at that point I did not.

Lifey

[Midwest Michael]

When you contact the bank, be sure to check that the 'credit' entries you have made are not attracting the horrendous credit card interest. Especially since you already had money on the card. Chances are those entries will not have been deducted from the cash on the card.

Running the card as credit will not make the card become a credit card. As long as it is tied to the bank account, that's where it will draw the money from. The only way that could even possibly be an issue is if you somehow had two accounts (one credit, one deposit) that linked to the same card, and I've never seen that - at not least from any US banks.

As long as it is an option, and I'm not looking to get cash back, I always run my debit card as "credit." As mentioned, that forces it to run through the Visa/Mastercard network, and in the US that actually provides extra security/fraud/liability protection.

Michael, back in 2009 Bank of America would not give me cash unless I had a card with a chip, which at that point I did not.

Considering BoA still hasn't issued a chip card for my credit card with them, that's alittle strange, although I assume it was an issue with drawing money from an overseas account.

[bednarz5]

I understand a lot more now after reading your posts guys, funny is that when I had a conversation with visa man in poland thats looking after my bank customers he said nothing about that swipe and sign is a common method to confirm payments in US and that US is only now starting using it. Also, many shops have claimed they just had theirs systems updated to use chip cards.

Midwest Michael, you say that American banks require chip and sign, I agree that it may create even more confusion and issues when US citizens travel abroad.

I also think that might be able to get some cashback from general stores, thats a good spot guys I will try it.

[glc]

Cash back is only given if it can be run as a debit card with PIN. Walmart will give up to $100 back.

Whether it has a chip or not, debit requires PIN, credit requires sign. Chip cards are very new here, I just got my chip credit card last fall and my bank just started offering chip debit cards in January.