Belarus and Ukraine - can I use US credit cards?
Mar 29, 2017, 2:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 522
Belarus and Ukraine - can I use US credit cards?
Does anyone here have any experience with using US credit cards or debit cards in Belarus or Ukraine? These two countries are usually on the block list by most banks.
Mar 29, 2017, 7:48 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,556
Mar 30, 2017, 2:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,556
Can't recall. Was most likely a Chase- or Citi-issued credit card. Definitely not Amex or Discover.
Note: Just did a quick Google search on this. Found reports of others who have reported having successfully used credit cards in Ukraine.
http://travel.stackexchange.com/ques...nce-in-ukraine
http://www.poltavatravel.com/article...se-in-ukraine/
Note: Just did a quick Google search on this. Found reports of others who have reported having successfully used credit cards in Ukraine.
http://travel.stackexchange.com/ques...nce-in-ukraine
http://www.poltavatravel.com/article...se-in-ukraine/
Mar 31, 2017, 5:41 am
#6
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
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I don't know about Belarus but you can use most cards in Ukraine. We use Citi and HSBC (issued in the States) - never heard from either bank that they were blocking cards' use in Ukraine. AmEx cards are not wildly accepted (only in major hotels and a few restaurants).
Mar 31, 2017, 10:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Ukraine should be fine (I used HSBC and another). As for Belarus, it was useable in Minsk but they do stare at your card for a long time. Can't speak for other parts of the country. You might be better off exchanging some Belarussian rubles...1USD for 2BYN.
Feb 6, 2018, 12:12 am
#12
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Any more data points for Belarus? Credit cards > ATM cards.
FYI as of 2012 I had no problem using my visa card anywhere in Kiev, Ukraine.
FYI as of 2012 I had no problem using my visa card anywhere in Kiev, Ukraine.
Last edited by Boraxo; Feb 6, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Feb 6, 2018, 8:53 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 78
I'm personally aware of at least one case where a Credit Union issued MasterCard could not be unblocked for use in Eastern Europe. It was blocked by policy and they were not willing to unblock it, even for a predetermined period of time.
All major bank issued credit cards should work fine in both Belarus and Ukraine (except maybe Crimea and the conflict zones in Eastern Ukraine). To make sure they're not blocked by default you may want let the issuer know in advance.
All major bank issued credit cards should work fine in both Belarus and Ukraine (except maybe Crimea and the conflict zones in Eastern Ukraine). To make sure they're not blocked by default you may want let the issuer know in advance.
Feb 8, 2018, 1:55 pm
#14
Join Date: Mar 2011
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Just returned from Minsk and had no trouble using US based MasterCard or Amex. My ATM card from a small regional credit union also worked in the ATM fine.
One thing to note is that hotels will not change foreign currency on site. The Marriott offered to send someone out to exchange my funds for me but apparently there is a law forbidding business to deal in foreign currency. There are also signs at all the airport bars indicating Euros and other foreign currency is not accepted so I think this is a fairly new thing. The obligatory health insurance sold in Minsk Arrivals Hall did accept Euros though so I guess the rule is not absolute!
One thing to note is that hotels will not change foreign currency on site. The Marriott offered to send someone out to exchange my funds for me but apparently there is a law forbidding business to deal in foreign currency. There are also signs at all the airport bars indicating Euros and other foreign currency is not accepted so I think this is a fairly new thing. The obligatory health insurance sold in Minsk Arrivals Hall did accept Euros though so I guess the rule is not absolute!
Feb 10, 2018, 5:11 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Just returned from Minsk and had no trouble using US based MasterCard or Amex. My ATM card from a small regional credit union also worked in the ATM fine.
One thing to note is that hotels will not change foreign currency on site. The Marriott offered to send someone out to exchange my funds for me but apparently there is a law forbidding business to deal in foreign currency. There are also signs at all the airport bars indicating Euros and other foreign currency is not accepted so I think this is a fairly new thing. The obligatory health insurance sold in Minsk Arrivals Hall did accept Euros though so I guess the rule is not absolute!
One thing to note is that hotels will not change foreign currency on site. The Marriott offered to send someone out to exchange my funds for me but apparently there is a law forbidding business to deal in foreign currency. There are also signs at all the airport bars indicating Euros and other foreign currency is not accepted so I think this is a fairly new thing. The obligatory health insurance sold in Minsk Arrivals Hall did accept Euros though so I guess the rule is not absolute!
Sounds like the government requires visitors to buy health insurance coverage during the period they are in the country? How much €?