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credit card use in kenya
beverly123
Posts: 3 Newbie
in Credit cards
Going to Kenya soon - did the correct thing and phoned Tesco (Mastercard) to say we would be going so that we would not have any problems when using the card only to be told that they would not allow any transactions on the card in Kenya. Is there anything I can do to alter this? Appreciate your advice
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Comments
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Maybe Kenya is considered a very 'unsecured' place to use credit cards? I think you may be better off taking US$ travelers cheques and reasonable amount of cash.0
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As far as I know, Kenya is not a "blocked" country and Mastercard/Visa are accepted there. It could be something to do with Tesco's personal policy against Fair Trade, slave labour etc?0
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As far as I know, Kenya is not a "blocked" country and Mastercard/Visa are accepted there. It could be something to do with Tesco's personal policy against Fair Trade, slave labour etc?0
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beverly123 wrote: »Going to Kenya soon - did the correct thing and phoned Tesco (Mastercard) to say we would be going so that we would not have any problems when using the card only to be told that they would not allow any transactions on the card in Kenya. Is there anything I can do to alter this? Appreciate your advice
Weird. Send a letter (FAX not email) to the big bosses querying this.0 -
There are some special issues - we recently looked into going on Safari and were asked to send copy of both sides of the credit card, a handwritten letter authorising charges and a copy of our passports. I felt this was all too risky so in the end emailed the lodge (a VERY respectable place) explaining that we did not feel comfortable providing this information.
They apologised and actually sent through a copy of Visa's rules which confirms what they said.
So in essence, I think the rules are different but a prohibition on using the card at all is probably too much.0 -
Have contacted Bank of Scotland and they have OK'd use of both debit and credit card in Kenya so luckily we have an alternative. Carrying cash is also an idea, but as we are still to pay for safari and spending money this is a fair amount to walk around with. I suppose we are just so used to being credit card consumers. Thanks for all advice0
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I would take some travelers cheques, not too much cash!0
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