halcyon

American Express offers a walking and gondola tour in Venice. However to book it, they require you to fax a copy of your credit card, passport or licence, and signature..This is a first for me in booking hotels etc. on line..It doesn't seem that secure to me. Has anyone done this? Shall we take our chances in booking when we arrive?
Thanks!

halcyon

ttt

LoveItaly

Hello halcyon, I have no idea what AMEX is charging for their gondola ride and walking tour but I can say that if you do some research, here on Fodors, guide books from your local library etc., you can do your own walking tour. And if you want to take a gondola ride you can make your own arrangements for that once you arrive in Venice. I would suggest that you wander away from the San Marco and Rialto area for a better price. If I were you and I was going to pay for a gondola ride I would hire a private one just for the two of you..not with a group. Choose a gondalier who you can relate to.

But we all have different travel thoughts and ideas of course.

Do you have an AMEX card? If so they should have access to the information. I assume you don't.

What happens if when you arrive in Venice you do not want to take this walking and goldola tour? What are the cancellation rules?

Personally halcyon, although I have an AMEX card when I have seen tourist on AMEX tours I have been so glad I was not one of them. But perhaps other Fodorites have different thoughts and can give you theirs. Best wishes.

ira

Hi H,

>they require you to fax a copy of your credit card, passport or licence, and signature....It doesn't seem that secure to me.<

Have you ever given your CC to a waiter who then walked away with it?

Have you ever given a CC number over the phone?

Have you ever shown someone your license?

Have you ever signed for something and given someone the signature?

If so, why are you concerned about faxing same to AMEX?

As to whether you should book a walking tour and gondola ride through AMEX, LI has good advice.

You can hire your own gondola for about 80E/0:45 hr.

A DIY walking tour is free.

You can also take a gondola ride for 50 cts if you take one of the traghetti across the canal.

Not very romantic, and you have to stand up, but it is a gondola ride.

A vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal at sunset is only 5E.

Enjoy your visit.

halcyon

Thank you for your sage input! I guess I will wait til we get there...I was just surprised that they wanted more than the cc info...No one else has i.e.hotels, car hire etc....