We have made some booking through an agent in India for our upcoming trip. They are asking for a deposit in the form of a bank transfer. I am fine with the fact that they want a deposit. I am just wondering if any of you have words of advice for this. I have dealt with this sort of thing for African safaris & lodges in the Amazon & admit to having had no problems but have not dealt with it for India! Any thoughts? Thanks in advance. J

two ways....go to your bank and ask them to make a bank transfer to the bank of the agency.....you need names, account numbers and addresses--- both bank and agency....there may be a stiff fee...

go to western union or call them to do the same thing, if you can find one....

pay-pal is another way....

if you have a brokerage account which also has a cash component, they may be able to do it for you....

send travellers checks made out to them if they will accept them...

ask to please put it on a credit card and pay the up charge to them...

its a pain really.....especially when western people are just used to guarantees via a credit card....south east asia places often require the same...

rhkkmk thanks for all that info. I have all the bank info for a bank transfer. W ehave an account that does not charge a "stiff" fee. I guess I was wondering if anyone has had "issues" with bank transfers??

bank transfers should be the safest way to ever transfer money..

retired banker

Thanks Bob (retired banker!) that is the way we have done things in the past with no issues & since I am not getting huge responses saying folks have had problems with transfers to India specifically then then that is a good thing also. Happy Christmas. J

I've done a few of them, Jules - no issues. You're covered every which way.

BTW, I don't know your itinerary - but if you're thinking of going in to India, then out [say to Nepal] then back IN again there are some very strange visa issues looming. Well, not looming - happening right now.

http://goindia.about.com/b/2009/12/0...visa-rules.htm

follow the IndiaMike links if this applies.

Thanks Dog. Wish we were also going to make a return visit to Nepal even with visa issues!! But alas not enough time.....3 weeks in late Jan/Feb mainly in rajasthan with a quick flight over to Varanasi for a few nights because we loved it there & just didn't spend enough time last time. Happy & safe travels. J