My credit card keeps declining in Macau and I have enough money on there and all international transactions are activated - what do I do?
Card declines in Macau are frequent. My Mastercard worked at ICBC Bank, but failed elsewhere. Most tourist hotels and casinos are card-friendly, but when exploring Taipa or Coloane villages, cash was essential. Expect 600-700 MOP per day for food, transport, and attractions. Always withdraw enough in one go, since ATMs charge fees and may reject your card multiple times. Keep both MOP and HKD on hand for flexibility.
On my visit, Macau was frustrating with cards. My Visa failed three times before working at a Bank of China ATM. In casinos and large stores, cards were no issue, but food stalls, buses, and smaller shops didn’t take them. Budget about 500-650 MOP per day if you’re eating, using buses, and sightseeing. Carry both patacas and Hong Kong dollars, as both are accepted. Don’t count on ATMs working first try.
My Mastercard kept failing at random ATMs in Macau until I used HSBC, which worked fine. Resorts and shopping malls on the Cotai Strip all accepted cards, but smaller shops and buses preferred cash. Budget 600 MOP daily if you’re dining out and paying entry fees for attractions like the Macau Tower. Card rejection is common at local ATMs, so always carry backup cash.
In Macau, I had my card declined at a few ATMs near Senado Square until I found Bank of China, which worked with Visa. Many casinos and large hotels accepted cards, but smaller restaurants and street stalls only wanted cash in patacas or Hong Kong dollars. Plan around 500-700 MOP daily for meals, buses, and sightseeing. Don’t rely only on your card-withdraw cash early, as machines can be picky with foreign cards.