Looking at Google Analytics (yes, I’m addicted…) I noticed Google referred to our site someone who was looking for: “what does card not supported mean on a credit card machine”. Knowing the answer to this question is not there, I couldn’t leave that spot unattended…
When you receive the notice: “card not supported” on your credit card machine, it means just that – the specific card brand (or type) you are attempting to charge is not supported by your processor (or you are yet to register for processing that card brand).
99.99% of credit card processing providers will enable Visa and MasterCard processing, yet for processing American Express and Discover you almost always need to apply separately. If you failed to do so, or was not approved for processing these brands, trying to charge Amex or Discover will generate the notice you received.
There are plenty of other card brands: Diners Club, JCB, China UnionPay, BC, Maestro (Switch, Solo), Visa Debit, Carte Bleue, Girocard and many others… Check what card brands and types are supported by your processor, so you’ll know in advance which cards you can charge.
If your processor can only accept Visa and MasterCard, it might be the right time to look for alternatives… I personally switched to iPhone credit card processing, yet this has to be reported on a separate post.
Gidi Argov, Founder and CEO
www.CreditCardProcessing-r-us.com
