(UK?) Credit card that won't get blocked when used by partner in USA?
Nov 9, 2015, 5:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 1
(UK?) Credit card that won't get blocked when used by partner in USA?
Hi,
I live in the UK and my fiancee lives in the US.
I have UK credit card (MBNA United) that my fiancee has as a second card holder, but despite me repeatedly telling MBNA her card is in use in the US, it gets blocked when she tries to use it under their fraud protection scheme.
I have limited footprint in the US (An old Credit Union account, SSN from previous expat assignment, no credit history).
Anybody got any good ideas on the best way for her to have my card without getting blocked?
I see 3 options:
1) Find a UK bank that won't block her card (No luck so far - they can't guarantee it won't flag)
2) Find a US bank that will give me a US credit card
3) Get a prepaid US credit card (Didn't really want to do this as don't like the idea of holding funds on a card)
Many thanks in advance,
Mark
I live in the UK and my fiancee lives in the US.
I have UK credit card (MBNA United) that my fiancee has as a second card holder, but despite me repeatedly telling MBNA her card is in use in the US, it gets blocked when she tries to use it under their fraud protection scheme.
I have limited footprint in the US (An old Credit Union account, SSN from previous expat assignment, no credit history).
Anybody got any good ideas on the best way for her to have my card without getting blocked?
I see 3 options:
1) Find a UK bank that won't block her card (No luck so far - they can't guarantee it won't flag)
2) Find a US bank that will give me a US credit card
3) Get a prepaid US credit card (Didn't really want to do this as don't like the idea of holding funds on a card)
Many thanks in advance,
Mark
Nov 9, 2015, 6:07 am
#3
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Welcome to Flyertalk.
Does your fiance have a sufficient USA credit history to open her own accounts in the United States?
Do you have an American Express card? American Express acceptance is much greater in the USA than in the UK. Read about UK-issued US Dollar denominated card accounts here:
https://www.americanexpress.com/icc/...ar/dollar.html
This likely makes sense only if one of you has an income in US Dollars, because the card is billed in USD.
...discussion is in Flyertalk's American Express forum.
Does your fiance have a sufficient USA credit history to open her own accounts in the United States?
Do you have an American Express card? American Express acceptance is much greater in the USA than in the UK. Read about UK-issued US Dollar denominated card accounts here:
https://www.americanexpress.com/icc/...ar/dollar.html
This likely makes sense only if one of you has an income in US Dollars, because the card is billed in USD.
...discussion is in Flyertalk's American Express forum.
Nov 9, 2015, 7:17 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
I've had lots of trouble in the past using my UK cards abroad. Often requiring multiple phone calls, etc...
I haven't had any problems with AmEx even though I've used it abroad without letting them know beforehand.
If you aren't a US resident then the odds of you getting a US card is low, if not impossible.
The best bet is seeing if she can open up a credit card (maybe a secured card?) in the USA, if the issue is paying her bills then you can send her money using your bank account or debit card to the USA via Transferwise (I actually use it a lot) or standard wire transfer.
I haven't had any problems with AmEx even though I've used it abroad without letting them know beforehand.
If you aren't a US resident then the odds of you getting a US card is low, if not impossible.
The best bet is seeing if she can open up a credit card (maybe a secured card?) in the USA, if the issue is paying her bills then you can send her money using your bank account or debit card to the USA via Transferwise (I actually use it a lot) or standard wire transfer.
Nov 9, 2015, 8:42 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Many British visitors to the United States seem to have been pleased with having used a Revolut card.
Nov 11, 2015, 6:21 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
When I first got my US cards I had to scan and upload my ID proof and SSN card to Discover. Never happened after that but I don't know what could happen.
Nov 12, 2015, 11:33 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,507
Since opening a US card account and transferring money to the US to pay the statements sounds like a potential option, why not have yourself be added as an AU on one of her cards? We don't know your full situation though so there's probably something I'm missing.
Also, does your old CU offer credit cards? They might be a bit more flexible with regard to eligibility.
Also, does your old CU offer credit cards? They might be a bit more flexible with regard to eligibility.
Nov 12, 2015, 9:55 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: NYC - UK Expat
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 10
Post Office Platinum Card
No non sterling transaction fee and have never blocked since I told them I was based in the US.
Even allowed someone who cloned my card here, to max it out in two days in NY and Miami. Something I've never even remotely approached doing, so it seems they had all fraud blocks off.
No non sterling transaction fee and have never blocked since I told them I was based in the US.
Even allowed someone who cloned my card here, to max it out in two days in NY and Miami. Something I've never even remotely approached doing, so it seems they had all fraud blocks off.
Nov 13, 2015, 6:17 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 238
Post Office Platinum Card
No non sterling transaction fee and have never blocked since I told them I was based in the US.
Even allowed someone who cloned my card here, to max it out in two days in NY and Miami. Something I've never even remotely approached doing, so it seems they had all fraud blocks off.
No non sterling transaction fee and have never blocked since I told them I was based in the US.
Even allowed someone who cloned my card here, to max it out in two days in NY and Miami. Something I've never even remotely approached doing, so it seems they had all fraud blocks off.
Nov 13, 2015, 9:10 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
Post Office Platinum Card
No non sterling transaction fee and have never blocked since I told them I was based in the US.
Even allowed someone who cloned my card here, to max it out in two days in NY and Miami. Something I've never even remotely approached doing, so it seems they had all fraud blocks off.
No non sterling transaction fee and have never blocked since I told them I was based in the US.
Even allowed someone who cloned my card here, to max it out in two days in NY and Miami. Something I've never even remotely approached doing, so it seems they had all fraud blocks off.
Nov 13, 2015, 11:30 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: NYC - UK Expat
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 10
They definitely blocked my card at first until I told them I was here and gave them a US address as well, if I remember correctly. Although they sent the replacement card to the UK but I didn't ask for any thing different.