Banking Woes in USA.
My BankWest Mastercard platinum card is not working in 60% of shops - says invalid pin. I think the cause is USA has gone Debit for everything, and some shops are not sucking up credit fees. However BW did not email me an answer to this question 72 hours and waiting. The success number includes hitting the green button and not entering a pin, which may be a way of saying credit. I am rightly frightened with so many dud attempts, an ATM may swallow and keep my card.
My Aussie phone did not work at all in US. I got a used Pixel 4A for about $150usd so I could at least ring up my banks etc. I had a connecting flight foul-up - that bit into my reserves. The planes are 100% full - or mine were - even Alaskan to Seattle.
Costco in Portland does not take MC, only VISA. I have two big Kirkland Colombian Coffee canisters that I do not see offered in .au. The range in Costco US is much much better than Costco .au. Do apply for a costco/chase visa card, as it has a cashback. Stonking great deal. Alas It will take months to build up a nonexistent credit score.
I opened up a bank account, but will have to wait weeks for a debt card, as they claim a prepaid USA phone number needs a month or so cooling? Another +1 for Ultramobile, but I am told Mint is another option. I would be *screw..* if I did not have friends as a bolt hole,
Commonwealth and Netbank FAIL. I do not have roaming. I have a new USA phone number. So just ring up and change my phone banking number to receive sms numbers after an intensive POI session - easy eh? (including installing netbank on the new phone and logging in). Well no, 40 minutes of waiting, then told NO, and told a specialist security area will call me after a 28-72 hours - for my protection of course. I explained I have a lame CC, out of dollars, escalate this - I am in a pickle. No no POI - not interested. Leave me in the lurch, destitute. I will post more on this scandalous outrage.
I tried another non big-4 bank, I needed a token. Ok - You want my passport details as well. Install some app, and go through a double number challenge, and some heavy POI, and 15 mins later I was good to go with a token. However the BPAY to OFX was not quick, maybe closer to a day, and it is wise to do a small test payment to my debit account to test it works. So a can-do from another bank. Helpful Lauren also told me Westpac had serious issues. Cwth soooo critically understaffed they leave people in the cough.
For both bank woes, I believe there is NOTHING on their travel FAQ about this. I am good at procedure, but I can see lots of Aussie westies being caught by banks that do not understand the word service or emergency. I add my emails and chats for OS related matters seem not answered or returned. I worked on a help desk once, and to meet KPI's - you never dragged hard ones out out of the queue. I surmise call waiting times are through the roof.
The lesson is don't leave home without a visa card. Note Portland is a wonderful place, where nature strips of grass are now 90% gardens, and kids can still play on the street, where everyone is into organic food and Trader Joes.
www.ultramobile.com
