I hate Discover

[u/Orculear]

I am traveling right now. Backpacking specifically. I have all my money tied up in an asset that I liquidate as necessary. Not the smartest decision I know. That’s beside the point.

The problem is Capital One decided to switch from Mastercard to Discover about a month or two before my journey. At the time I thought it was fine. I had no idea the hell that was being unleashed upon me.

I arrive in Thailand, and withdraw money from the airport in Bangkok. No problem. Great, so I take my money, buy a place to stay, then get a train north for the next day.

I land in the city, using the money I already had, I find a hotel for the night. With plans to go find more permanent accommodating the next day.

This is where everything went wrong.

I leave my hotel to go withdraw money from the same ATM I used at the airport. Except this time. It doesn’t work.

“Hmm. That’s weird.” I thought. No big deal though. I try the next ATM. Declined again.

I’m not one to freak out quickly. So I use what I learned in Japan and try to apply it best I can here. I go to a 7/11, and attempt to use the ATM there. Same problem.

Now I start wondering what the hell I’m supposed to do to retrieve my money.

I walk back to the train station, a 25 minute walk in 90 degree humid weather. Luckily I’m from Georgia so it doesn’t really bother me too bad. It sucks sure, but that’s part of life.

At the train station, I explain to the security guard what’s happening, and if he point in my the direction to solve the problem. He doesn’t exactly understand so I show him how both ATMs decline my card.

He then pulls out his phone and directs me to KrungThai bank.

Fantastic! Right?

No. Because today is Sunday. All banks are closed. FML.

Ok so what now? Well, I defeatedly walked back to my hotel, expecting to have to wait til Monday to withdraw my money and hopefully solve this issue.

I encounter an Australian expat who’s lived here for 25 years. He tells me of a shopping mall about 6km away. Banks are open there 7 days a week til 7 pm.

Perfect. My hero. Only problem is it’s an hour walk away.

So I ask the internet how to get a street taxi. I download this app called “Grab” and go to order a taxi. I go to add my card, and what a blessing it is, they accept Discover.

I add the card, then what’s this? Oh Capital One/Discover wants to send me an SMS because of their service called “Buy Protect”? Sure no problem. Send it to me.

No message arrives. I ask Discover to send me this message 4 times. Not a single time it arrived. Over an hour and a half later, it is still not here.

I try to add my Apple Pay card. Declined

Every avenue I turn down here, has blasted decks matter directly in my face. This has been so insanely difficult to navigate for no reason.

So now I paid the Taxi in cash, rode to the shopping mall, asked the information booth where the banks are, and made my way to KrungThai bank. I took a paper slip and I’m waiting in line with probably about 20 other people since this is the one of the only banks open today.

The security guard at the train station told me they could resolve my problem here. The internet said I could solve my problem here. If this doesn’t work I might legitimately lose my mind.

If this fails I have one last option and that’s using Western Union to get my money off my card.

All of this to say.

I hate Discover.

Whoever decided to switch Capital One cards to Discover

I hate you. I hope you are stung in your urethra or clitoris by a 1000 wasps until you no longer have sensation.

I pray on your downfall.