I spoke with a Viking River Cruises customer relations woman and she told me that if I pay by CC that they add 3% on to the rate. If we pay direct from our checking account they don't.

I've heard of giving someone a lesser price for paying cash, but not a bigger price for usage a CC. (That is, in stores.)

Do any other cruise lines do this?

hmm interesting info thanks

We've only been on four cruiselines, so we're certainly not experts, but we've never had an additional charge for paying by CC.

It sounds odd, but I have no experience with this line. Why not book through a travel agent? You might be able to avoid this fee. But I'd like to know more about this from other Viking cruisers.

I was looking at the Viking site, and there's no mention of a surcharge, but I wonder if the line processes their transactions outside in the US. That means you might incur a 3% foreign transaction fee, not a surcharge since it's not Viking that would impose the charge. That's my theory, but I'd like to hear more about this because you would not avoid the foreign transaction fee by paying with a debit card. And I'd never ever pay for a travel product in cash.

I would never pay for a travel product with cash either. I had a really bad experience and my trip insurance would not help me out as the company never declared bankruptcy. After 6 months I was very fortunate to get my money back but some people weren't so lucky.

Instead of a cash discount, they have a credit card surcharge. It is an interesting twist. The payment processing company typically charges anywhere from 2% up to 5% to the merchant who accepts credit cards. Most company will chalk it up as a cost of doing business. The foreign exchange surcharge is from the credit card company and not the merchant. So this one smells ...

Some lines do pass their CC costs on to cruisers

particularly if based in other countries.

Also foriegn exchange fees apply on some cards not all

if your transaction occurs outside of the country.

that could also be what they are referring to.

Capitalone.com some Amex cards are foreign exchange fee free.

Shop around for bbest deals cruisecritic.com

vacationstogo.com priceline.com best deals for me

up to 70% off sometimes...

Happy Planning,

always try to put big sums on my credit card

you will have recourse if things go south

you can do a merchant reversal/dispute

Say bye bye to any recourse you have

if you send them a check.

insuremytrip.com independently always wise

especially if you elect to do this.

I have always booked with a TA and have never had such a problem. I wonder if you used a TA if the same 3% rule would apply and the TA would have to pass this to you anyway?

It's true that there is nothing on their website I was just told about it by the customer rep I spoke with.

However, on the Viking website it says that you can pay by "e check" and save. Guess that's what they mean by paying by a transfer from your checking account. But it's rather deceptive in a way, because you think you'll save over the price they give you if you do it this way, not that you'e actually going to pay more by paying with a CC.

I will question the customer rep about this again as it sounds strange. Hope I got it wrong.

Ok OK. Mea culpa.

I spoke with the customer rep and she said that you get a 3% discount if you pay by e-check. However, I am sure that when we spoke previously she said that "You won't have to pay the 3% if you pay by e-check."

Oh well. Sorry to get you all confused and/or figuring out what this could be.

For me you are better off paying with a CC just for the protection.

It sounds like they're passing their merchant fee along to you (or giving you a discount for not using a card--same difference).

Absolutely pay by credit card. The protection this gives you is worth the 3%. Use a card that pays you back (I get 1.5% cash with one of my cards & up to 6 Hilton Honors points per $ with another) and it can offset the cost.

But booking through the cruise line pretty much guarantees you'll pay the highest rate possible. Suggest you shop around for a better deal. Either contact agencies directly yourself, or go to http://www.cruisecompete.com and let the agencies come to you with their bids. That should save you more than 3% by itself.

Good luck!

We have used Viking for two trips this year, they do not charge an extra 3% on their quoted price/trip cost, the price given is the price if you do use a credit card, but IF you choose to pay by echeck there is a 3% discount.
Susan

I have been on four Viking cruises. I have never been charged more than the published price. There has been a foreign transaction fee added to my CC, but that is from the credit card company and Viking will refund it to you if you ask. Viking does however offer a discount for paying by E-check.

nobugs - Yes, I realized I was incorrect (see above ).

We will be going to Russia on October 9th with Viking. What trips have you taken with them? What was your opinion of your travels?