My credit card keeps declining in Trinidad and Tobago and I have enough money on there and all international transactions are activated - what do I do?
Same thing happened to me in Crown Point - my US debit card failed at a gas station even though I had funds. I saw the pending charge and instantly called customer support. They lifted the hold within five minutes and the cashier retried it successfully. Since then, I make sure my bank knows I'm traveling to Trinidad and Tobago before I leave home. If it keeps declining, check you haven’t hit a daily limit or triggered a fraud block.
My Monzo card was flagged in Tobago last November at a taxi terminal. The app told me "contact your bank." I raised a support ticket and made a local call; within minutes I got a notification to approve the transaction. It was quick. Also, give them a “heads up” via the app that you're heading to the Caribbean. That usually avoids the whole block-fraud hassle on arrival.
I tried using my Chase Freedom at a Maxis supermarket in San Fernando last month, and it kept being rejected. I had to call Chase while standing in front of the cashier. They immediately saw the hold on the account and lifted it. I also asked them to whitelist Trinidad as a travel location. Since then, every purchase went through fine. My tip: call your bank’s fraud team before you land so you don’t get stuck checking in at your Airbnb.
That happened to me in Port of Spain last April - my Revolut Visa kept getting declined at a grocery store even though it should’ve worked. Turned out my bank flagged the transaction for “unusual location.” I called them on speakerphone right there and they unlocked it. After that, it worked fine. Always call your card provider ASAP if it happens - they’ll usually clear it. Also, let them know you’re traveling to Trinidad and Tobago in advance.