Paying for accommodation upfront.

Anjanie · Post by **Anjanie** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:24 pm

Just wanted to say hi and to ask a quick question.

This is my first time to T&T to see family (haven't seen them in 21 years!). Is it usual to pay upfront for accomodation in Tobago or do you pay a deposit and then the rest when you leave? We're booking the Blue Mango, Castara in Tobago and we'll be there from the 1st Dec until the 8th Dec 2005. We've just made a booking and they've asked for payment to be sent to an address in Tobago.

I really appreciate your help and thank you for your time is answering this.

Anjanie

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:28 pm

Hi Anjanie

Welcome aboard!

Yes, its quite normal and Blue Mango is a well-established and reputable business, so I'm sure you have nothing to fear. Remember that its not cost-effective for the vast majority of these small businesses to have online credit card payment facilities, but its a bit much to expect them to take you on trust and pay when they get there.

Have a great trip.

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 12:30 pm

Anjanie,I think for a weeks accomodation at such short notice the same would be expected in UK.If you feel uncomfortable about sending payment direct why not contact Yestourism and book through them?
David

Anjanie · Post by **Anjanie** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 2:05 pm

Thanks Steve and David for your advice. I completely understand the situation but just thought I would ask to be sure. When you're new to these things it's best to check.

I last visited T&T when I was 4 years old so I'm really looking forward to going, if a little nervous to meeting the rest of my family for the first time.

Thanks again,

Anjanie

Gisela Grell · Post by **Gisela Grell** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 4:04 pm

Hi Anjanie,

I'm sure you will enjoy your time and your family will surely be happy to see you. Don't worry, whenever I go to Castara it fells like coming home because of all the nice and lovely people and I don't have any family there.

Please let us know in the forum how you enjoyed your trip.

Happy holidays

Paul Tallet · Post by **Paul Tallet** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:47 am

Now that I trust the people with whom I stay ... I would always pay up front.

That means you say 'hello' when you arrive and 'goodbye' when you go and just settle the tab according to the volumes of Rum/Carib/Stag that you have consumed during your 'carefree' stay.

If you pay up front you don't have those worries like you forgot to notify your credit card company that you would be using your card abroad.

Guess it all goes down to planning.

Regards

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:53 am

WHAT???? you have to notify your credit card company if you want to pay abroad? never heard of that. is it the normal procedure in the UK? very surprised!

David Watkins · Post by **David Watkins** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 12:01 pm

Brian,I am afraid its a sign of the times---it is supposed to prevent fraud,both cash fraud and identity fraud.This is also why 'chip and pin' has been introduced,theoretically no pin no card purchase.Unfortunately vendors will still accept a 'signature' if you say you have forgotten your pin.
Seeyou soon, 5 weeks to go ...WHOOPEEEEEE $\:D/$ ,
David

Brian Taylor · Post by **Brian Taylor** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 1:56 pm

we have a machine and we are not even advised to take the PIN. all we have to punch in is the last four digits of the card number....

see you soon (and don't forget to bring your credit card....

)

Pat Mccombes · Post by **Pat Mccombes** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 2:29 pm

I've never had to notify my credit card companies about using the card abroad - we use our debit cards for cashpoints and credit cards for other stuff. Perhaps it is for new cardholders?

Jo B · Post by **Jo B** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 4:24 pm

Pat

If you haven't had any problems in the past, you will probably be OK, but some card providers are rather zealous with their anti-fraud procedures and will stop transactions that fall outside someone's normal spending pattern.

My husband has fallen foul of this whilst on long business trips abroad. If concerned, make sure you have all the necessary contact numbers with you and a back up card.

Of course, if a card was stolen, we'd all be the first to complain if the thief tried to spend all your money on unusually expensive overseas stuff and the provider let it through without question.

Jo x

Ronald · Post by **Ronald** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 5:59 pm

If I´m using my own Swedish bankcard, it´s working in the same way in Tobago as when I´m at home, I take the money directly from my account.

But when I go, I doesn´t have a lot of money on that account, just about 200GBP. The rest is into an other account, and when I need more, I transfer money from one account to the other, something I can do myself by using my cellphone, never mind what time it is. So, if someone steel my card, I don´t loose all the money.

And if that would happend, normally I use to transfer money to an account in Tobago before going, so I´ll never be without money.

Pat Mccombes · Post by **Pat Mccombes** » Wed Nov 09, 2005 8:27 pm

Thanks Jo B,
we go to the caribbean every year around this time, so we're probably on some sort of 'pattern' list

We use debit cards for cash, and as we paid for the holiday on debit card that wasn't queried so should be ok.
I'll take the contact numbers separately though just in case !

Cheers
Pat

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