🇺🇸 Monzo in the USA [Discussion]

[GalaxyMergirl (eden)]

@jzw95

Yes, but from the reports on here it sounds like that has the effect of doubling your restaurant bill until the initial authorisation falls off. This could cause serious cash flow issues. I think I would just tip in cash to avoid that whole mess.

Does not tipping on the card change that in any way? I genuinely don’t know, I’ve never not done it. I guess it might, because it means the presentment is for the same amount as the authorisation, but still - I thought most restaurants actually ran the auth a second time when entering the final bill amount, thus the issue.

Can anyone confirm that tipping cash prevents this?

My strategy personally is to always make sure I have a high enough balance (or available credit) to cover any authorisations. Frankly, this is a huge benefit of credit cards. Think how quickly you could run up auths in a week (time for auth to generally expire) travelling the US by car (road trip time). Let’s say you’re renting a car, you get fuel twice a day, you stay in a hotel once (hostels are uncommon in the US outside of major cities, and you need some country time - but don’t feel like couchsurfing), and you eat out at a restaurant once a day (it’s a nice road trip, lol).

That might look something like (numbers pulled out of my hat and vary widely, especially for hotels, many of which don’t authorise anything - generally nicer hotels do, so I’m assuming a fancy hotel):

• Car rental auth - $1000
• Hotel auth - $300
• Fuel auths - $151/day (1x $150 auth, 1x $1 auth, since those are two common values) - 1057, so I’ll call it $1050 (yes I just ignored the $1 auths, these calculations aren’t precise enough for them to be significant).
• Restaurant auths - $15/day - $105, I’ll call it 100.

That’s a total of $2450, which I’m just going to call £2000 (thankfully the exchange rate is better than that now, but we have to allow for exchange rate fluctuation).

£2000 of authorisations that’ll never be presented is a very reasonable amount, and many people could go way over that.

Personally, this is one reason I generally use credit cards for things that will create these authorisations. I don’t care if £2000 of pre-authorisations are put on a credit card, that’s a small amount compared to most of my credit limits, and I’ll never see or be affected in any way by them.

However, on my Monzo card, it’s a bit more… eeh.

[anon23935806]

But don’t those auths reduce your available credit limit, thus going back to the same issue you’d get with Monzo? If you have a credit limit of 2000£, then I assume the card would decline once those 2k are used up, whether presented or not.

[GalaxyMergirl (eden)]

They do, but I’m assuming your credit limit is far higher than £2000.

[jzw95]

@GalaxyMergirl

I thought most restaurants actually ran the auth a second time when entering the final bill amount, thus the issue.

I’m not sure why they would do this is the amount hasn’t changed, seems like fraud to run the same transaction through twice. But not something I have experience with, so would be interesting to hear from someone who knows. I suppose one strategy would be to freeze the card after it’s been run through the first time. That should stop the second auth.

[GalaxyMergirl (eden)]

@jzw95

I’m not sure why they would do this is the amount hasn’t changed, seems like fraud to run the same transaction through twice. But not something I have experience with, so would be interesting to hear from someone who knows. I suppose one strategy would be to freeze the card after it’s been run through the first time. That should stop the second auth.

But you can’t freeze the card for the whole day, LOL. And I don’t know, I’ve always tipped on the bill - it’s just that American payments are weird, so I wouldn’t count on anything to prevent multiple auths…

[anon83905542]

So just to clarify, these authorisation issues, are they just for the kind of items listed by @jzw95 above, or does this happen with general shopping purchases too?

I’m happy to pay restaurant bills by card and tip in cash if that avoids the issue. However, we are only there for 4 nights, and whilst we will have a decent amount in the Monzo current account, we’d rather not have it eaten up by these autorisations, if the correct amounts don’t clear for a few days.

That could restrict our spending.

We are taking an amount of cash ($'s) with us, but had hoped to have the bulk of our money in the Monzo account to use generally over there.

I will be taking separate credit card for the hotel room cover, but everything else would just be commuting costs (Subway and/or taxi), food, attraction costs, and shopping.

[GalaxyMergirl (eden)]

@anon83905542

So just to clarify, these authorisation issues, are they just for the kind of items listed by @jzw95 above, or does this happen with general shopping purchases too?

It happens for:

• Holds (hotel, car hire)
• Fuel purchases (final amount not known at time of purchase) at the pump.
• Restaurant tip adjustment
• Possibly bar tabs? I don’t know but I’ve heard that can happen.

Please note that many petrol stations in the US make it difficult to pay inside - demanding either prepayment or making you talk to them first before they’ll turn on the pump.

[anon83905542]

Thank for clearing that up @GalaxyMergirl.

As stated, Hotel Room hold will on a separate credit card anyway, and happy to tip in cash where necessary (Restaurants and Bars) if that also helps avoid it.

This time next week, will be en-route to NYC!

Can’t wait!

[beeare]

@GalaxyMergirl

I’ve heard rumours some Wells Fargo ATMs may be free, tho?

That is correct, I am using Wells Fargo in Delaware and Pennsylvania for free ATM withdrawals .

@chistery

Just plenty of $1 notes, for tips. Housekeeping, drinks, luggage, saying hello, restaurants, etc.

In the US, at bars and restaurants, you will be expected to tip at 15% to 20% of the bill. The rule of thumb in NYC is to tip at twice the sales tax rate which is 8.875%. Other tips are more discretionary.

@GalaxyMergirl

Personally, this is one reason I generally use credit cards for things that will create these authorisations. I don’t care if £2000 of pre-authorisations are put on a credit card, that’s a small amount compared to most of my credit limits, and I’ll never see or be affected in any way by them.

I do the same. Its just simpler and doesn’t impact on the Monzo cash balance.

@anon83905542

I’m happy to pay restaurant bills by card and tip in cash if that avoids the issue. However, we are only there for 4 nights, and whilst we will have a decent amount in the Monzo current account, we’d rather not have it eaten up by these autorisations, if the correct amounts don’t clear for a few days.

That could restrict our spending.

We are taking an amount of cash ($'s) with us, but had hoped to have the bulk of our money in the Monzo account to use generally over there.

Seems like you have it all figured out. Have a great time.

[brandscill (Brandon Billingham)]

Looking for some NYC advice.

Landing at JFK, likely to travel around a lot so was eyeing up the 7 day MetroCard… can this be used to get from JFK and can I buy it at JFK? The information on the MTA website is very unclear! Reminds me how good the TFL website is!

[anon16712584]

There’s a train that goes from the airport to nearby subway stations, if I recall correctly. I know you can’t buy them at the airport, but you can at the subway stations. Not sure about the AirTrain, I think that has a different fare structure?

I’d just get an Uber to the accommodation, then get a Metrocard from the nearest subway station and use it from then on. Then you’re not having to faff with luggage on public transport either.

Liam

[GalaxyMergirl (eden)]

@anon16712584

Then you’re not having to faff with luggage on public transport either.

I’m confused by this. You know they speak English in New York, right?

I mean yes language can be an issue (tho I’m in Tel Aviv now and have had no issues… Google Maps is a lifesaver). But not in the US!

[anon44204028]

You can use Lyft https://www.lyft.com/cities/new-york-city-ny

[anon16712584]

…? Your response makes no sense. I said nothing about language?

[anon44204028]

I don’t think he meant language issues, but the physical hassle of lugging big heavy cases about

[GalaxyMergirl (eden)]

Oooh! I’m so sorry! My brain mixes up words sometimes. I read that as ‘language’ not ‘luggage’.

[anon95297056]

$5 fixed fare for AirTrain from terminal to the subway system where you can then buy the travel card. Worth putting another $5 on for the return AirTrain too, if you’re going to do the same in reverse. However, not many of the subway stations in downtown Manhattan are luggage friendly - the turnstiles are narrow (though some have a disabled gate, these are rarely manned) and the number of steps to the sidewalk/surface. Notable exception: Times Square/42nd St station if you are staying nearby

[brandscill (Brandon Billingham)]

Thanks for all your help!

[rdingwall (Richard Dingwall)]

@anon24663765

I’ve just returned from New York. Only had one issue using my Monzo prepaid card and that was using the MTA self serve machines to try and buy an unlimited 7 day pass. I had to select ‘credit’ (not debit, an error message ‘you must select credit’ was displayed) and I did not enter a zip code when asked (I just pressed enter). It said ‘DECLINED invalid zip code’ and beeped. It didn’t print a ticket or a receipt so I tried again and same happened. Unfortunately for me it still charged me twice! I had to file a claim via the MTA website (make sure you record the machine number displayed on the front) and the amount of $66 was refunded a week later. I have since spoken to a colleague that the MTA machine DID work for him when he entered five zeros (00000) as the zip code.

Sorry for the inconvenience @Paragun! We deployed a fix for MTA ticket machines back in December so you can now input any number to bypass the zip code check

Anyone able to update metro card in New York?

Sorry didn’t see this thread earlier! We added a fix for New York MTA ticket machines on the current account just before Christmas: if the ticket machine requests you to enter a zip code for your Monzo current account debit card, you can input any number to proceed. We’ll use this workaround for any US self-service terminals that request a zip code (e.g. ticket machines and automated fuel dispensers). We’re fixing these on a case-by-case basis so if you find a terminal or me…

[GalaxyMergirl (eden)]

@rdingwall

Sorry for the inconvenience @Paragun! We deployed a fix for MTA ticket machines back in December so you can now input any number to bypass the zip code check

Thanks for the info!

Out of curiosity, why do you not match the Mastercard advice which is to use the numbers from the postcode followed by zeroes? The advice is officially for Canadian Mastercards, but it always worked with my UK-issued Aqua card.