myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

This has already been covered at http://www.mytobago.info/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1834 but I think it's worth repeating it here.

The Coco Reef and the Cafe Coco don't charge you the amount you've signed for on your credit card. Instead they convert the TTD amount to USD at an unfavourable rate (5.7). Essentially they're skimming an extra few percent off each transaction, and hoping that nobody notices/complains.

I'm disputing the charge on my credit card, and I encourage other people to do the same. Maybe they can be persuaded to stop this practice.

Yes, I was surprised at this. I went out and got TT instead.

Well, I couldn't go out and get TT instead because they didn't tell me that was what they were going to do. I signed the credit card slip in TTD -- I still have the counterfoil -- but the USD amount appeared on my credit card statement.

@Graham: did you already receive your monthly statement, and what was the amount and currency the Coco Reef really used towards the credit card company?

we have been to Barbados for the last 16 years and we have never experience this problem there .
We are booked to go to the Coco Reef Feb 2006 .We have written to our credit card company regarding this matter .When we get a definive reply we will post again.

We have written to our credit card company who advised us on the phone that if the trensaction is authorised in say T&T dollars the conversion should be direct into sterling unless you are advised you that the transaction is to be converted into US dollars and at what rate.

If the transaction shows up on your statement in say US dollars your credit card company presumes you have purchased goods etc in US dollars.

We have been advised that if we have a problem to keep all slips and contact them, even calling from abroad reversing the charges.

Some companies only do transactions in a currency other than the country you are in, but must advise you of this situation.

We would be interested in any other comments on this matter.

I've been in the US, so I didn't have a chance to file a formal dispute with my credit card company until last week. I've just spoken to them and they've refunded me the difference (and a bit more, actually).

In my case, the amount was small, so I don't think they bothered to contact the Coco Reef. If the amount were larger, it might take longer. And I don't know whether I've managed to dent the resort's credit rating at all.

Bottom line: keep your counterfoils, check your credit card bill, and do complain to your credit card company.