Mastercard but not Visa?
 

I recently moved back to the US after many years abroad.

One thing that has me mystified is why people like Sam's Club and my gas company will accept Mastercard but not Visa.

Anyone know why that is? Anyone know who I can apply for a Mastercard with?

Your bank should have a MasterCard, debit cards usually seem to be MasterCard's.

almost all of my debit cards have the visa logo.

I think I had one with a MC logo once.

If you have a paypal account you can get a paypal debit card (mastercard). Works like any other debit mc if ur paypal is hooked up to your bank account. And you get 1% back on it :)

And with Paxum or Payoneer account you are getting Mastercasrd as well :pimp

Can't use a paypal debit MC to rent a car from Avis though.

almost everyone takes both

Then use a bank-issued Visa. Or use a credit card. Or go with Hertz or another rental company :thumbsup

I don't know if you can use your Paypal card to rent a car from Avis, but I DO KNOW that you can use your Paxum Mastercard to rent a car from Avis :2 cents:

Every Paxum Mastercard has a $2,500 daily limit

Signup is free, easy (takes about 5-8 mins) and you can request your card as soon as your account is verified. No maintenance fees, so you can fund your account as and when you need to without any penalties.

Your name is embossed on the card, there is a CVV2, it has an expiration date, and it is accepted ANYWHERE you find the Mastercard logo displayed (except gambling establishments). It's a regular prepaid Mastercard credit card.

Please check us out if you're interested. We have multiple funding options :thumbsup

I've never actually been in a Sam's Club, but I know they are owned by walmart. Pretty hard to believe they don't take Visa. You sure?

must have some sort of agreement with mastercard, like costco does with american express

Who the hell doesn't accept Visa? Are you high?

You can use a Paxum.... I have.

Utility companies. He says his gas company. I'm surprised they even take MasterCard, usually they don't.

Nothing unusual,visa probably charges more then mastercard for proccessing.

mastercard for the win!

and costco only takes amex (at least here in canada)

I couldn't believe it myself. I am talking about credit cards, not debit cards, btw. Sam's Club takes Visa debit, just not credit. Walmart right next door takes whatever you got, so it's just Sam's Club.

I had a big argument with them when I was standing in line and it was a huge drama. I even accused them of having a high chargeback rate and losing their MID's for being scammers, but in the end I had to come up with a check card to buy my stuff.

My theory is that maybe it's one or a combination of the following:

1) they are getting some kind of sweetheart deal from MC for being exclusive
2) they actually have such low margins that Visa's rate won't work for them
3) they have some special arrangement regarding chargebacks with mastercard, I imagine because they sell in bulk they might get targeted by people with stolen cards who buy stuff for resale and then of course it gets charged back later.

It's because Visa credit (doesn't apply to Visa debit) won't give Sam's Club the discount rate they want. Sam's also doesn't take Amex. Costco takes Amex, but they worked out a sweet deal. The average Costco buyer is more upscale and likely to use Amex for net 30 style billing.