By Monty Blandford (BonaireTalker - Post #27) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 12:19 am: |
Just an FYI....
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #20588) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 9:16 am: |
Part of the problem is the high fees that AMEX charges the merchants.
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By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3740) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 9:26 am: |
Sorry, it is not the high fees but the time it takes to get our money...visa, etc. is the same day, amex is a crap shoot. Also, they are arrogant when merchants have a problem. My agreement to accept amex is NOT bundled in with the other cards. I will accept Amex if a client prefers but do ask for another card if possible.
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By Tribs - is not on Bonaire. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8845) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 9:37 am: |
Monty...I have found that many places claim to have a problem with AMEX right up until you tell them you have no other card and then viola! The AMEX works all of a sudden. On one trip, the dive shop we used ran my AMEX, gave me a receipt and then a few weeks later (in an email) claimed they needed another credit card because the AMEX didn't work. I contacted AMEX and found out that the dive shop canceled the transaction. When I emailed them back that I had no other card, the transaction went through the next day. I have learned that you have to be firm with some of the merchants on Bonaire.
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By john Tribhawansingh (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 9:55 am: |
Hi Tribs How are you , this is john.
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By Jane D (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #6) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 10:36 am: |
I have visa and master card, but they now charge a 3% service fee for all transactions outside the United States. We are leaving on the 10th for a two week stay. I was considering travelers checks. Any suggestions?
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By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #572) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 2:32 pm: |
Jane
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By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3741) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 4:40 pm: |
Tribbs I think you are misinformed about more merchants accepting amex...at least that is not the case on Bonaire. I suggest you ask first if the establishment takes the card before you have to "be firm" and create a negative experience for both parties. I have found "being firm" really goes against the grain of Bonaireans and while you think you may have won, in the end you have made yourself and others look bad. Thank goodness we do not have the reputation of being "Ugly Americians" (Yet)
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By Tribs - is not on Bonaire. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8846) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 5:41 pm: |
Michael...I'm not an ugly American. The only places that I am firm with are the ones that advertise that they accept AMEX and then refuse or try to push for another card. They are the ones being negative, not me. If they don't want to accept the card, they should not falsely advertise that they do. And in my travels, I have found that more and more places are accepting AMEX. I don't just travel to Bonaire. And, I do always ask outright and never assume a company accepts AMEX. Your comments surprise me as I bring cash to your place since I know you do not like accepting AMEX.
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By Bas Noij (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #431) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 6:33 pm: |
I used to work in two restaurants on Bonaire before I became a full time dive gigolo. At those times we often had the line to the bank disconnect several times on AMEX transactions. VISA and Mastercard always went through right away. If this still happens it may be a reason for a business to ask you for another card.
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By Bob Eiceman (BonaireTalker - Post #67) on Sunday, July 5, 2009 - 9:03 pm: |
It is my experience that not all Visa and Mastercards are created equal. The banks issuing them differ greatly in policy, rates and security. Shop around and you will find banks issuing CC's as safe if not safer then AMEX.
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By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3742) on Monday, July 6, 2009 - 8:33 am: |
Jeanine, I know for sure you are not an "ugly American" I love your profile pic by the way..I also know you are a loyal and much valued friend of Bonaire. Bas put his finger on the problem...AMEX treats us merchants with a certain amount of distain..
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By Tribs - is not on Bonaire. (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #8849) on Monday, July 6, 2009 - 9:08 am: |
Thanks Michael! I really love those puppers. I wonder if there is a card that is friendly to both the customer and the merchant? It would be nice to find a middle ground because using anything now - debit, credit, traveler's checks, or cash - is either costly or not safe. Kind of a bummer for everyone concerned.
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By Sparty (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #251) on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 - 2:47 pm: |
Jane asked about TC's. I have several sources of free (no fee) travel checks so for several years I have been using them on Bonaire. I usually cash several hundred dollars worth at a time at the bank next to the Sand Dollar. You get a better rate there, 1.78 vs 1.75, than at merchants. The bank charges a small fee for cashing them, but it is about 50 cents or so for $400 of checks, way less than what you gain on the exchange rate.
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By Pat Eggler (BonaireTalker - Post #66) on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 - 6:14 am: |
Have used a Chase Visa Rewards cc on Bonaire for four visits. Have never been charged an extra fee, we only use it where charges are put on as US$ which are most restaurants & grocery stores. Will see when we get home if that has changed, even a small fee is worth the safety of not carrying cash. Also nice to get the miles for next trip here.
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By Jim Hix (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2231) on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 2:38 pm: |
I believe all the cards are now charging a foreign transaction fee. Didn't used to be so on Bonaire, but I believe the last time I used a card that previously did not charge a few (CHASE) I got hit with some fees.
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By ***Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2010) on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 3:03 pm: |
Discover dosen't charge the foreign transaction fee as long as the US Dollar is used.
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By ***Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2011) on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 3:08 pm: |
I have the Blue AMEX and that card is also fee free...
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By Edward Mizell (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #141) on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - 11:14 pm: |
As of 2 years ago, Capital One did not charge a transaction fee. I don't know about now.
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