Credit card declined in Jordan

Jordan is partly card-friendly, but I had multiple declines even with international transactions enabled. My Visa worked only at Arab Bank. Petra, Wadi Rum, and Dead Sea tours all asked for cash. In Amman, malls were fine with cards, but traditional markets and taxis weren’t. I budgeted 50 JOD daily to cover meals, transport, and attractions. Always carry dinars in cash, because once your card fails in remote areas, there’s no quick fix.

On my trip, Jordan was hit-or-miss with cards. In Aqaba, my Mastercard was declined at two ATMs before Bank al Etihad worked. Shops in Amman’s Abdali Mall were fine, but most small restaurants and taxis in Madaba refused cards. You’ll need at least 40-55 JOD daily for sightseeing, food, and transport. Petra alone charges 50 JOD for entry, so cash is non-negotiable. Best advice: withdraw more than you think you’ll need in big cities to avoid stress later.

I faced the same issue in Jordan. My Visa kept declining in Jerash until I used Housing Bank ATMs. Many shops in Amman malls accepted cards, but smaller ones didn’t. When visiting Petra, cash was required for food stalls, souvenirs, and tips. Budget about 45 JOD per day for entry tickets, meals, and taxis. Don’t worry too much-just find a reliable ATM in Amman, withdraw enough, and carry cash for rural areas. Card systems are unreliable outside the cities.

In Jordan, card declines are quite common, especially outside Amman. My Mastercard kept failing at random ATMs until I tried Arab Bank, which worked. In Petra and Wadi Rum, almost all payments were cash-only, even for tours and jeep rides. Larger hotels and some restaurants accepted cards, but shops and taxis didn’t. For budgeting, I kept around 40-50 JOD daily for meals, entry fees, and taxis. Always withdraw cash in Amman or Aqaba before heading to tourist sites, because once you’re in the desert, machines are hard to find.