Originally Posted by
Kremmen
According to Chase, the worst of these possibilities is true. I asked about having a PIN added to my card and was told that a transaction processed with a PIN would automatically be treated as a cash advance in all cases. Having been told this by phone agents and supervisors, I followed up online and with my banker and branch manager. The story was consistent at every level.
I've used a Chase Marriott Visa, Chase British Airways Visa, and Chase Sapphire Preferred at the Taiwan High Speed Rail kiosks many times during three visits in the last two years. I also used my Chase Sapphire Preferred at the TMB kiosk in Barcelona about a year ago. For each instance I was asked for a PIN. I fat fingered the incorrect PIN just for research purposes for this forum, and the transaction failed. I entered my correct cash advance PIN, and the
purchase succeeded. None of these transactions posted as a cash advance.
Originally Posted by
tmiw
Honestly, using a cash advance PIN as a workaround at unmanned terminals isn't a good idea. Even if it works and doesn't charge you extra fees or interest it hides the actual problem, which is that the vast majority of our cards don't work at 100% of terminals.
What's the alternative? It's either enter the PIN as a workaround at places like the Taiwan HSR kiosks or wait in line - I did this before I knew in June 2011 - for 20 minutes if you want to use a card. It's the same for the TMB ticket vending machines in Barcelona. In that case, there are some places where there isn't even a human to help like at the tram stops.