Travellers Cheques, etc

Lesley, UK · Post by **Lesley, UK** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:20 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 08 October 2002

first let me apologise if this comes up twice (server probs), second thanks steve for a great site...very informative. My hubby and I are off to tobago next month and would welcome any comments on le grand courlan resort and spa. Also any excursion tipsie rainforest etc to get the most from our stay. ps do taxis take us$ or should I make sure I get tt$

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:22 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 08 October 2002

Hi Lesley.

I only ever take US$ personally. It’s simply easier - I can just walk into my local bank and get as much as I want in US$, rather than having to go back a week later after they're ordered TT$. Everybody on Tobago takes US$ - but you always get change in TT$, so you soon build up a small stock of local currency. There’s more scope to be diddled if you’re paying in US$, unless you’re a damn site better than me at mental arithmetic. It comes down to personal preference and degrees of laziness.

If this is your first visit, I would strongly recommend taking some guided tours. Its great wandering around on your own, but you can and do miss so much. Having things pointed out and explained to you in an interesting and informative way can really bring everything to life, so to speak. I would strongly recommend Yes Tourism (who, I note, care enough about visitors to regularly respond to questions in this forum). You can contact them on 631-0286 when you get over there. They are based at Pigeon Point, so close enough to you at Le Grand Courlan.

Have a great holiday and please, please let us know how you get on – the forum has been somewhat bereft of reports on Le Grand Courlan.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:23 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 08 October 2002

Hi Lesley Following your query regarding currency in Tobago, we have found over the years that it is most advantageous to take travellers cheques in sterling as you are not paying two lots of commission charges. The rates on Monday were TT$ 9.5 to the pound and there is only a very small commission charged by the TT banks. You can check the rate on http://www.scotiabanktt.com . A word of warning though, do not change your travellers cheques in the hotels as they offer a very poor exchange rate. We always carry some TT$ currency for but most people arranging tours will accept credit cards. We will also be in Tobago next month, our ninth visit, so let's hope the weather is good. Kind regards

Lesley, UK · Post by **Lesley, UK** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:23 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 21 October 2002

Thanks for your help steve and helen&colin, I have just tried to get premium seat upgrade with monarch and they tell me they are not available, I believe that somebody on your site had same problem, seems unless you are booking package then as a seat only traveller they wont allow you to upgrade. Its 4 weeks til I go now, and I will be sure to keep an eye on your excellent site til then, and I will come back with my own thoughts after the holiday for the beefit of other travellers

Kind Regards, lesley

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:24 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 22 October 2002

Hi Lesley.

Who did you ask about upgrading your seats – Monarch, Golden Caribbean or your travel agent? I’ve checked things out this morning and therefore for the benefit of others, may I clarify the situation regarding Monarch flights to Tobago.

Monarch is a charter airline and the Monarch flights are, in general, only available as part of various package holidays. You cannot book flights directly with Monarch – they only deal with tour operators. However, flight-only seats on the Monarch flights are available from Golden Caribbean of Crawley in West Sussex. They are available on 01342-316900 or your travel agent can contact them on your behalf.

Golden Caribbean assures me that passengers can upgrade from standard economy to Monarch Premier class at any time. They tell me that you can also upgrade when checking in at the airport – at an additional cost of £139 per person, each way. Upgrading is obviously subject to availability, so if Golden Caribbean told you that you couldn’t upgrade, Lesley, it was simply because there are no Premium seats left on your flights. If you spoke to either Monarch or your local travel agent, may I suggest that you try Golden Caribbean direct – after all, they will be the guys issuing your ticket.

May I say, as usual - please let us know how you get on.

Ian R · Post by **Ian R** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:25 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 08 October 2002

Personally I have stopped taking Travellers Cheques when in Tobago. When you walk out of the airport luggage hall / customs area there are 2 ATMs within 20 metres one at Repbulic Bank near the food concessions the other a drive thru' Citizens Bank machine by the car park both accept major credit cards such as VISA and Mastercard and they may even accept Maestro and Cirrus. These machines have always been reliable and easy to get TT$ from - I know I used to live in Trinidad and spend every other weekend on Tobago. In my experience many of the supermarkets on the island now have in store ATMs. I use the one in Penny Savers at Canaan and there are several in Banks in Scarborough - Republic Bank, Citizens Bank, Scotia Bank all have several branches. NB using UK and US credit cards in stores is no problem some stores have had for 5 years machines which which you type your PIN number into rather than signing a receipt as an anti-fraud measure - something only now being trialled in the UK!!!

Post by **Steve Wooler** » Fri Mar 21, 2003 2:26 pm

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 09 October 2002

Thanks for your very useful info, Ian. I recently published a list of all the ATM's (apparently known as ABMs locally) on our general information pages (http://www.myTobago.info/cashmachines.php). The information was supplied by the banks themselves, so should be current and up to date, although they missed two that a contributor has pointed out to me - Marie's Place at Pleasant Prospect and the foyer of the Hilton.