Fairfax mastercard

oldandgrumpy

I recently obtained a Fairfax pre paid euro mastercard, and put my holiday money on it.
At the first hurdle, fuel at City Europe, Calais, it was refused. The cashier service was not operating, at 12 pm Saturday. So, no fuel.
Next hurdle, Intermarche 24/7 at Totes. Cashier gone to lunch. Card rejected.
Went to ATM, fine, got cash.
Contacted Fairfax, yes there is a problem with Fairfax cards at most tolls and 24/7 fuel stations. To do with them not checking your account before allowing fuel.
I have pointed out that, on Saturday 2 August there was a 25 plus mile queue for the tolls leaving Le Havre for Calais.....I guess because most toll booths are now un manned, requiring cash or debit card.
How annoying to have to get 25 miles of traffic to reverse to allow the driver with all his money on a Fairfax card to get out to go |Where? The same with an all night 24/7 fuel station in the middle of nowhere.
I am raising this here to warn those travelling in Europe that their Fairfax mastercard will probably not work at toll stations or 24/7 fuel stations. Beware!!!!

dr_adidas01

oldandgrumpy wrote: »

I recently obtained a Fairfax pre paid euro mastercard, and put my holiday money on it.
At the first hurdle, fuel at City Europe, Calais, it was refused. The cashier service was not operating, at 12 pm Saturday. So, no fuel.
Next hurdle, Intermarche 24/7 at Totes. Cashier gone to lunch. Card rejected.
Went to ATM, fine, got cash.
Contacted Fairfax, yes there is a problem with Fairfax cards at most tolls and 24/7 fuel stations. To do with them not checking your account before allowing fuel.
I have pointed out that, on Saturday 2 August there was a 25 plus mile queue for the tolls leaving Le Havre for Calais.....I guess because most toll booths are now un manned, requiring cash or debit card.
How annoying to have to get 25 miles of traffic to reverse to allow the driver with all his money on a Fairfax card to get out to go |Where? The same with an all night 24/7 fuel station in the middle of nowhere.
I am raising this here to warn those travelling in Europe that their Fairfax mastercard will probably not work at toll stations or 24/7 fuel stations. Beware!!!!

You shouldn't be relying on one method of payment when abroad, as the things you have said do happen.

Perhaps in future you'll carry a mixture of cards and cash so you aren't stuck and are prepared should the unfortunate happen.

NiftyDigits

It reasonably well publicised that you should not depend on any Prepaid Mastercard/Visa card at automated fuel dispensers.
Certainly not something related to FairFx.

boo_star

How annoying to have to get 25 miles of traffic to reverse to allow the driver with all his money on a Fairfax card to get out to go

Unless they were literally bumper-to-bumper I can't imagine more than about 15 cars had to reverse to let you out.

Although I did like the mental image of 25 miles of cars reversing.

Chino

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Certainly not something related to FairFx.

Perhaps, but bearing in mind that FairFx claims that its prepaid currency cards can be used "anywhere you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark", others might benefit from the OP's experience and know to treat this claim with the requisite amount of salt.

FairFx's website certainly doesn't go out of its way to highlight any acceptance issues with its cards.

("https://www.fairfx.com/cardselection")

NiftyDigits

Chino wrote: »

Perhaps, but bearing in mind that FairFx claims that its prepaid currency cards can be used "anywhere you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark", others might benefit from the OP's experience and know to treat this claim with the requisite amount of salt.

FairFx's website certainly doesn't go out of its way to highlight any acceptance issues with its cards.

("https://www.fairfx.com/cardselection")

This is not a new issue. The fact is there is also the issue of these fuel machine 'ringfencing' an amount of money, to ensure that whatever fuel that you take is covered. That could put your prepaid card into negative territory. What would be there to stop you doing that over and over again?
The problem is with the European stations not asking for an authorisation. Without it, the transaction cannot be allowed to go through.

People are often too dopey for their own good.

From Caxton:

Avoid using your prepaid card at automated petrol stations - Automated petrol stations on the continent usually take a security deposit when you first swipe your card. No money actually leaves your account at this point, but your available balance is reduced. A couple of days later (it can be up to 15 days), they will process a settlement increase for €120 (for example) which will raise your available balance by €120. Simultaneously, they will process a settlement decrease where they will remove funds from your card to cover the actual amount of fuel you purchased for example €45. In the period between the two your account will appear to have been debited by €120, but it has not. Only when the settlement decrease goes through has money actually left your account. This procedure is not unique to Caxton FX cards, or indeed any prepaid card. All cards issued by any institution are treated in the same way whether they are debit, credit or prepaid cards.




Avoid using your prepaid card at Toll booths - Caxton FX prepaid cards require a merchant to seek authorisation before they provide the goods or services. The majority of European toll roads and bridges do not seek an authorisation and therefore you can't use your Caxton FX prepaid card at most toll booths.

oldandgrumpy

My ICE mastercard works perfectly. However the point of raising this matter was to warn the un witting user of the potential problem. It appears that there are a few small print readers who are a lot more savvy than I. By the way, I was travelling the other way on the motorway, otherwise I wouldn't have known how long the queue was!

NiftyDigits

oldandgrumpy wrote: »

My ICE mastercard works perfectly. However the point of raising this matter was to warn the un witting user of the potential problem. It appears that there are a few small print readers who are a lot more savvy than I. By the way, I was travelling the other way on the motorway, otherwise I wouldn't have known how long the queue was!

Prepaid Mastercard? That may be useful info for some.

oldandgrumpy

Er, yes, but the Fairfax is also a prepaid mastercard.

NiftyDigits

oldandgrumpy wrote: »

Er, yes, but the Fairfax is also a prepaid mastercard.

Yes, we know, oldandgrumpy. What makes it interesting is that in this case, the ICE card is unusual.
So useful info for others in a similar position.