ekscrunchy

It boggles the mind to think that someone would go on a trip and then, after coming home, claim that the trip was so unsatisfactory that they were due a reimbursement for the all of the monies charged.

And that the cc company would agree and leave the TA holding the bag for the entire amount, so to speak.

Those pesky Americans!

amolkarnik

Its widely accepted here in the UK that upmarket travel operators will charge an additional 2% for V/MC and 3% for AMEX.

It shouldnt be necessary to pay by credit card as most good operators are bonded, but accoirding to UK law the bank is jointly responsible for good and services purchased (worth between £100 and £30000) on a credit card. I usually pay the deposit on a credit card and pay the 2% and treat the whole thing as an insurance against agents going bust, bad service etc.

Kavey

I paid my deposit for my EAfrica trip via wire recently though I would MUCH rather have paid via credit card because of the consumer protection issues.

Although it seems a no-brainer to go with the wire option when initially comparing fees it's worth checking into it quite carefully.

I was GOBSMACKED at the exchange rate my bank used for the wire. Yet when I pay in foreign currencies with my CC the exchange rate used is always very favourable.

On balance, the wire option will likely still work out cheaper but would advise checking.

kak113

thanks all for the keen insight. i will check both the fees that would result from using the CC and the exchange rate from the bank.