Question About Using Foreign Credit Cards at Big C and Tesco

[anefarious1]

Does anyone know if Big C and Tesco accept foreign issued credit cards (ie. Visa, Mastercard) at check out? And if so, do they charge any fees for those payment methods? My bank is offering 1.5% cash back and a 6,200 baht bonus just for getting one. I've always paid cash at these places so I don't know. Thanks

[Kenr6583]

I used my Wells Fargo Visa credit card once back in 2009 on my very first trip to Thailand. Although the shop did not charge any fees, Wells Fargo did charge me a foreign transaction fee and did not provide a very good exchange rate.

[Niggly]

I use my UK MasterCard all the time. No fees from either the bank or retailer.
I get 2% cash back on grocery shops which also works here

[anefarious1]

I used my Wells Fargo Visa credit card once back in 2009 on my very first trip to Thailand. Although the shop did not charge any fees, Wells Fargo did charge me a foreign transaction fee and did not provide a very good exchange rate.

The issuer of this particular card does not not levy foreign transaction fees.

[Kenr6583]

I used my Wells Fargo Visa credit card once back in 2009 on my very first trip to Thailand. Although the shop did not charge any fees, Wells Fargo did charge me a foreign transaction fee and did not provide a very good exchange rate.

The issuer of this particular card does not not levy foreign transaction fees.

That's good for you. Wells Fargo isn't very good for international usage.

[jackspratt]

I have been using Oz bank issued Mastercard(s)s and Visa cards in Big C for a number of years, without issue.

The bank charges a 3% fee, and the FX rate is not bad. I weigh that up against what it costs to send money to Thailand, plus the convenience (tap and go), and the fact I get frequent flyer points for my spend.

[stattointhailand]

Not sure about CC in shops, but many years ago I made the mistake of drawing cash on my British CC (the usual "family member needed urgent funds for hospital bill" scenario). Trying to be helpful I withdrew a couple of hundred quid, and so as not to cop too many charges I phoned the bank that evening and paid the cc from my current a/c.
Ended up costing me about 40 quid to enable me to retain my "farang have good heart" status