Tagged With "Credit Card Fraud"
Comment
Re: Tickets: Check before you cancel!
British Airways are trying their best to hold on to their customers' money. We have had 4 flights from Frankfurt to London cancelled by them (on two separate bookings). Whilst by law they should simply refund the money to the credit card, they send you links involving only 'travel vouchers' and phone numbers with automated messages directing you to the same vouchers. It is extremely difficult to find anything to do with actual refunds, but I am persisting. I also am pursuing claims under EU...
Comment
Re: Tickets: Check before you cancel!
I fully agree. You might expect this sort of con from a few of the budget airlines, but it seems it has now become BA's policy to lure people into accepting something that might prove utterly worthless: https://uk.trustpilot.com/revi...w.britishairways.com I can always ask the credit card company to charge the amounts back to my card, but I should not have to do that. As to EU 261 compensation, they obviously assume that few people will bother to take things further. They might just be wrong...
Comment
Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
And don't forget: use a miles-earning card for everything you DO spend! Between bonuses for new cards and steady use, you can go a long way!
Comment
Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Yep, it definitely adds up. Thanks for the comment. Make sure to read part 2 coming this week.
Comment
Re: Notes and Noticings from the road
Actually, I think the banks have a fairly minimal (as small as I can make it) impact on my currency transactions, in part because I never deal with exchanges; I use bank ATMs. That way, the exchange takes place not on my account, but as an interbank transaction at the base rate banks use with each other. I used to use my ATM card from Citibank, but eventually they began charging a 3% foreign exchange fee even on withdrawals. At that point, I opened an account with Charles Schwab, a brokerage...
Comment
Re: Notes and Noticings from the road
The Schwab card sounds like a good deal. I have a (UK) Halifax Clarity card, which also gives me a reasonable deal on credit card transactions - no fees/commission and the actual market rate for the currency conversion. It's a significant saving compared to other credit cards.
Comment
Re: Gallery: A Beautiful Building in Bangkok
Even the furniture is lovely...and I'm glad to see they have not abandoned their card catalog. I love computer searches, but I would never want to lose years and years of librarians' and patrons' notes on those cards...
Reply
Re: Crashing the geocache
Hello TatToo, I live in Europe especially Germany. I do know Geocaching and of course the game is known here. If you don't have a GPS device with a European card in it you can use your mobile phone as long you have the geocaching app. Before your son goes to Europe just with that mobile phone, make sure he looks for geocaches in areas he will be first and download the map and the cache itself. Even if you don't have an Internet connection they can use it via GPS. I did it in USA and it has...
Comment
Re: Your Favourite Travel Camera (or 2)
I see I'm in good company--I'm joining the two-camera brigade for the first time in years (years ago I traveled with two SLRs, one with color film and the other B/W, and then for a while with a film and a digital). I've been working for the last dozen years with a single compact (been through a Fuji, a Canon, Panasonic Lumix and recently a Nikon S9400 ). All have been good, and on an escalating curve of features. All the left-behinds are still in use elsewhere in the family. I actually...
Reply
Re: Finishing college. Need help planning trip to U.K,
Getting around the UK is very easy using Public Transport. Students travel around the country all the time - going to Uni and back home for the weekend. Friends going to weddings and folks going to London. London - like big Cities in the US - is a Traffic Nightmare ! Fortunately the UK is about the same size as a US State. Maybe Florida ? So its only a few hours by road. Trains are much faster - but more expensive, You're choice. So... look at http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx They're...
Comment
Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
Not sure I agree with the "burn 'em" philosophy. At the premium class end, there's certainly been a lot of creep, but not so much in coach, which is more price-sensitive, even for awards. True, summer awards to Europe have generally gone from 50K to 60K, but on the other hand, off-season at American went DOWN to 40K--and with the flexibility of taking one-way awards and combining them in interesting ways...it's actually a better situation. Also, there are some card-linked sales on flight...
Comment
Re: When Debit and Credit Cards aren't your best traveling choices
I've been places where it was not possible to use a credit card much of the time, even when I was told that I could, by the very people who then returned and said, sorry, not working, cash please. But Burma was the only place I can recall that was, when I was there a year+ ago, 100% cash. It's changing now, even there, I've heard. So this has been very interesting, reading about Argentina. Who'da thought?
Comment
Re: When Debit and Credit Cards aren't your best traveling choices
When you go to Sri Lanka, take cash along as well. The larger establishments will definitely take credit cards, but smaller business and restaurants won't. And ATM cards have been slow to find their way into the country, especially in remote locations. The currency there is more stable, but still you won't get the kind of spread we did in Argentina. Best to exchange it at a bank, or ask your hotel people how many US $$ things are.
Comment
Re: Up, Up and Away: Airline miles cards with big bonuses
I LOVE my airline credit card, but it's great to have all this information in one place to see if I could do better. Probably not without some whopping fees, but whopping bonuses, too. Thank you sir, for showing us all these choices!
Comment
Re: Up, Up and Away: Airline miles cards with big bonuses
I have a Delta American Express Platinum card that has served us well. The fee is higher than the gold card, but we can check two bags free, priority boarding, and a free companion pass yearly. We fly two or three times a year and the value of the waived baggage fee and the companion pass far exceed the $150 annual fee. The card also accrues one mile for each dollar spent and lately has offered cash back incentives. For example: spend $15 at Panera's using the card and receive $5 credit on...
Comment
Re: AAA Premier a Good Idea for Budget Travelers
That's an excellent point, Travel Rob. The Premier AAA card is the way to go. But I believe it is only offered to long-time valued members of AAA. You can't walk in off the street and ask to be a Premier Member, at least that's my impression. They will offer it to you. But you should ask for it if you've been a AAA member for quite a while for all the reasons Rob outlines.
Comment
Re: 'Dude, Where's My Car?' for real!
I don't think he staged it, but I do think he wasn't searching too hard for the car after he met the lady. And that would make a nice story if they got married. If he wanted to find the car quick, he would of called his bank or credit card issuer to see the location of his first try to get his money and started his search from there.
Comment
Re: Norway To Come Out With Cool New Passport
One day someone will put a photo of the bearer on Credit Cards and eliminate fraud ! Maybe not - that's too obvious.
Comment
Re: Norway To Come Out With Cool New Passport
In my experience, much of the fraud is perpetrated online so a photo is irrelevant.
Comment
Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Aug 21st, 2014:The Cigar Man
GarryRF, I could only think of the Visa Credit Card ads when I saw this great piece about Hector! Cost of one of the worlds finest cigars ,$10 . Experience of spending time with Hector, Priceless. My guess is , it's cash only in Hector's case.
Reply
Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
I did some initial research today on cell phone rentals also, and have come down to 2 options basically, any experience notes with either of these companies would also be appreciated: www.mobal.com ($29 to buy a phone, and then pre-paid card loading) www.cellularabroad.com (straight rental, but calling rates may make it a cheaper option in the end than mobal). thanks!
Reply
Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
While I haven't been to Morocco for over 2 years, phone service for locals in non-industrialized nations all over the world tends to be cheap phone, available locally, with prepaid sim cards that you reload. It depends a great deal on what services your friend wants and can they, for instance, do without data and use the wifi in their accommodations or will they go to pieces without having it all, all the time. If that's the case, I can't help and will be expensive, all things relative, I...
Reply
Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
I have a Mobell (same company as Mobal) UK sim that I got years ago, very convenient, phone bills charged to my credit card, rather than having to keep track of the balance and "top up". However, calls are relatively expensive although I don't mind for the convenience and limited use when I'm in the UK. Knowing full well it would cost me, about a £ a minute because I was in Italy, I allowed a British friend who was meeting me in Italy to call me when she arrived using her UK phone and my UK...
Reply
Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
New question - the person I'm helping to plan this for is a fairly nervous sort and wants to have as much nailed down in advance as possible. Is there any reason not to grab one of these cheap unlocked phones now and then do the sim card there? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZS2E76 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009IRGQPO Thanks for the help!
Comment
Re: Sick of Your Credit Card Being Declined While Traveling? Visa Offers New Service
The credit card companies are shy about any purchases abroad of a substantial amount, because of they risk they pose. Even if I call and let them know my step by step plans, I can still run into trouble with one or more cards. I don't carry my cell phone on major international trips (yet) and don't like the idea of geotracking me. If someone has stolen wallet, they could just as easily have stolen my identity. PIN identifications works fairly well, but even that is not without glitches as I...
Reply
Re: Is Visa everywhere you want to be?
Very good advice, Rob...and also check with the card-issuer what fees it charges for overseas use...some of them not only charge foreign-exchange fees, but also hefty ATM fees! One idea that may make sense for many travelers: Charles Schwab has a "high-yield investment" checking account that seems almost like a dream. No fees, no minimum balance, no foreign exchange fees, no ATM fees, and if anyone charges you an ATM fee, they refund it. It's linked to an investment account, but you don't...
Reply
Re: Is Visa everywhere you want to be?
I know of several people who rely on these prepaid Visa cards during their travels, and it's good to know people need to clarify their use. I usually just travel with credit cards, debit card (for ATM withdrawal), with some cash in a money belt for emergencies.
Reply
Re: Is Visa everywhere you want to be?
I was surprised not much is written about this because of the real possibility of being stuck if one didn't now some debit cards stopped accepting foreign transactions .The Green Dot debit cards used to accept foreign transactions and stopped because of fraud.
Comment
Re: Do Airlines offer the Best Loyalty Rewards Programs?
A very interesting interview...and one of the points that comes clear from it is the one I've always made: What are you looking for? He gives examples, for instance, of how younger people may want low-cost rewards (dinner, say) that they can get immediately. Others may be mainly interested in the free wifi, lounges and upgrades some hotels offer. And others, like I, who seldom stay in hotels (Airbnb, thank you!) are interested mainly in convertibility to air travel. For those in my...
Comment
Re: Do Airlines offer the Best Loyalty Rewards Programs?
Agreed, especially if you are clever enough to find a great back door to use your points the way you like. I think the point of the video was that your hotel gives you a lot more for the money you spend there than airlines do. I use a generic rewards card in Canada that builds up a dollar amount of bonus. I buy the hotel, flight, car rental I want and the money is returned to me. That way it's simple and easy.
Comment
Re: Traveling Essentials for Everyone
Don't forget to notify your credit card company where and when you will be traveling. Many companies today will suspend your card if you use it outside of your normal places leaving you in a financial bind in your new country. In London I had my bank debit card captured by the ATM for suspected fraud. Also, I suggest a camera with a big zoom lens since many great photo opportunities don't allow you to get close to the attraction.
Comment
Re: Chip Credit Cards to Change the Way US Tips at Restaurants
Actually, that's only one way of looking at it...another is that it may push many people (I included) to resume cash tips. The "convenient" suggested amounts, which even now appear on many slips can be very deceptive, both because they usually place the normal or usual amount as if it were the lowest "acceptable" amount, but also because often—not always—they calculate percent not on the restaurant bill but on the total of the bill plus tax. The difference can be significant. Interestingly,...
Comment
Re: Chip Credit Cards to Change the Way US Tips at Restaurants
In the UK where we've had chip and pin cards for years we never include the tip with the total. Always cash to the waiter. We know how unscrupulous Restaurant owners can be.
Comment
Re: Chip Credit Cards to Change the Way US Tips at Restaurants
It is safer that the card doesn't leave our sight with the chip cards and cash tips seem to be the answer. I don't know the statistics on the percent of people not carrying cash, but I know several young people that almost never carry cash.
Comment
Re: Chip Credit Cards to Change the Way US Tips at Restaurants
We've had suggested amounts for years on the machines. I was just in Ireland where tips weren't usually included as an option on the bill I never had the right amount of cash. Frankly maybe I'm lazy but I don't mind having the option on the machine. It's been a while. Nice to see you all (metaphorically that is).
Comment
Re: Chip Credit Cards to Change the Way US Tips at Restaurants
Note that the tip suggestions on the machines have a habit of creeping up. New York cab tips were about 15% for years, as a standard, and as recently as 2 years ago, a Times survey found that was about the norm. But...when you pay by credit card, the machine offers a choice of 20%, 25% or 30%. To use 15%, you have to go back one step in the process, make a manual entry, and then back to the close-out screen...all while you're trying to get out of the cab and stop holding up traffic. I'll bet...
Comment
Re: Chip Credit Cards to Change the Way US Tips at Restaurants
According to that link I posted above, tipping is up for NY Taxis 10% with those default setting tips and they are expecting an increase at restaurants too now.
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
Bank ATMs in the UK are all, I believe "no fee", meaning no use fee charged by the owner bank for using their machines. Other machines and other places, I believe, tell us what the fee will be, if any, before we complete the transaction and allow us to abort if it's too much. And we know that the foreign transaction fee charged by our own cards' bank can vary, usually 1-3%, a given to convert currency using a card. Then there's the exchange rate which has always been the best available using...
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
I would love to see this series. BTW, AAA is now offering a no fee refillable ATM card to use overseas and avoid the 1-3% charges from yiur home bank.
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
I just opened a Capital One checking account, chip & pin debit card, 1% foreign currency conversion fee, rather than the 3% my local bank charges. The 1% is standard for MasterCard branded debit cards, seems no way to avoid it. But Capital One charges no additional. Will check out the AAA card. The series, 'Anatomy of a Trip', will start September 9th, if all goes as planned (does it ever?)
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
Jonathan, do you have a link for the AAA card you mention. This is the one I found: http://www.aaa.com/AAA/Financi..._Travel_Card_FAQ.pdf It charges a 3% foreign transaction fee and it can't be used in some countries I plan to visit. Maybe there's a newer version?
Comment
Re: Are ATM's at European airport going to cost you more?
My computer is not going to the AAA site, but, in looking back at the email, it was a "no purchase fee" card, so that is what I get for not reading the fine print.
Member
Loganathan
Member
Krakowc Card
Comment
Re: Managing Your Money on the Road
This is a great compehensive post. Time to try and cash the money order that you've been holding! LOL
Reply
Re: Camera Advice, Please?
In the end, I've gone with a camera that is bigger than I hoped (but I wasn't going to get all my wishes in a compact...I knew that). I've gotten a Sony HX300, with more zoom than I imagine I'll need (50x), 20Mp and Zeiss lenses. It's one of those "bridge" cameras; looks like a DSLR but lens doesn't change and viewfinder is not optical, but electronic. In fact, it's a miniature of the LCD, viewed through an eyepiece...but that's fine when the sun is too bright. AND, the LCD pulls away from...
Comment
Re: The least loved airline fee is...
I think you're right that unavoidability is a big factor in the hatred of bag fees. As you point out, not everyone cancels or bothers to pay a seat fee, and many people carry their own food. The other factor is the sheer size of the fee. A couple with two suitcases, round-trip, have added $100 to their cost (regardless of distance). If they decide to take a bigger case and share it, they save $50, but are now condemned to drag an oversize bag as they go. No wonder some of the loyalty credit...
Comment
Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
Wow! Thanks for this fascinating contribution, Lestertheinvestor. I was exhausted just from reading the directions for applying for the visa. It is quite obvious that Saudi Arabia doesn't want infidels visiting them. A few questions you might know the answer to: 1) Is the process stream-lined for a Muslim wanting to go to Mecca, and what kind of proof do they need to have that they're a Muslim? 2) Do you have any rough idea how many hours you spent on this process? Ball-park guess would do.
Comment
Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
1) The process is easier for a Muslim who is going on a hajj. However, unless you are native born, you must present a document from the Imam of your mosque documenting your status as a Muslim in good standing. For a Caucasian woman who is a converted Muslim, you must still get permission from your husband or a male relative, along with the letter from the mosque to allow you to make the hajj. 2) Between my wife and I (she actually presented our documents each time to the consulate in Los...