bobbieharv

I found the Fairview Hotel recommended on this site, and emailed them for a reservation. They want my credit card details either faxed or emailed. I have emailed these numbers to other sites in Africa, but this phrase in their email kind of freaked me out: "the credit card details will be kept under lock and
key in the Office of the Managing Director)." Is faxing safer than email? Do I need to be concerned?

sandi

BI - Before Internet

Faxing was the usual way of transmitting credit cards info:

- card number
- expiration date
- name that appears on card
- type of card: Visa, Master, Amex, other

HariS

Hotels and the like may have a Credit Card authorization form, that you may be able to fill up and then fax to them. Ask, if you can get the authorization form emailed to you and this is usually pretty safe -

Jed

I don't understand what the difference is. If you fax or email, the paper they get from faxing or the paper they print from your email will ultimately be in the hands of a clerk in the hotel who will put it in the 'Office'.

What am I missing?

bobbieharv

I went through the same thought process, but decided to fax it. With a fax, there's theoretically one clerk who can "lock it up" in the manager's office, but with an email all the details stay on their computer. With some hotels that don't have secure booking sites I have emailed my card number in two separate emails, but decided not to do that this time for some reason.

divine54

i would definately NOT email these sensitive data! get the form by email, fill in and send back by fax.
normal procedure.
don't forget the 3 last digits of the back of your credit card!

div

mkhonzo

Jed is on the money, no matter which process you decide on, you are still handing over your credit card information to deepest darkest Africa. it is not so much the media you use, but the collection of your data on the other end. Any clerk with access to this info is vulnerable to bribes and could well sell it on to a criminal who could then clean out your account.

Give your card info away, by phone, by fax by email, whatever, you still have given your card info away and there is nothing you can do, bar cancelling the card, to stop someone from using your info to make a purchase. It is the peril of the plastic and electronic era we live in.

one2travel

Jed,

I have stayed twice at the Fairview and never had a problem (of course, there is always a first time). I do like the Fairview.

Have a great time in Kenya.

Deb

HariS

Well - atleast, it will be something of a consolation, if you got a CC form from the actual hotel. Versus an employee or someone else wanting you to email your credit card details and things???

If in doubt, ask them if you can wire the money via Swift or something?

kimburu

I'd just book it through a travel agent. And I always wire money... but then I AM paranoid. ;-)

(Even without thinking about the rate my credit card company will give me for Kenyan shillings)

But Sandi's right - and it's still done that way here in Asia in many places - say a prayer or do a good deed?

ele13

I stayed there last year and did exactly what they asked for ...admittedly with trepidation.However, all was fine. It is a nice hotel. This year I am trying their new Country Lodge.

mazj

Hi,
We booked direct with the Fairview earlier this year and found them to be excellent. I emailed our credit card details in parts in separate emails, in a vague endeavour to make things safer. It worked. Hope you love it as much as we did.