Credit Cards

[lwaters]

Trophy Solutions e-mailed me. My Visa card went through.

 

[wesheltonj]

I don't use separate cards for travel. I have a settings on each to card notify me of no card present and international transactions.

You are missing out on earning airline miles by not having a co-branded card. I had both Delta and American cards but have not have had those in years. For me, I prefer using AA whenever possible in the US, as I just hate United. However, I collect my miles on BA and have a BA Visa card. BA allows you to "household" your miles, which means the family's miles all go into one big pot and so do the miles that you earn with the Visa card. Now, BA does charge an outrageous "fuel surcharge" for BA flights. However, if you have a BA Credit Card and charge 30k on the card each year you will get a certificate for Companion travels free when redeeming miles for BA flights. Or you can use miles to upgrade your flight sometimes a better deal on BA. The plus side with the BA miles is you can use them for an award ticket on AA .

I also use an AMEX Platinum card too. I use it for lounge access. It give you same day access to Delta, Centurion Clubs, Amex International lounges and Priority Pass lounges. That card earns points that can be transferred he point several airlines, ie: BA, Emirates.

 

[sheephunterab]

My card gets compromised enough in North America but never has in Africa. I don't worry about it...it falls on card company to make it right. I just take a couple in case one does get compromised and cancelled while away.

 

[Philip Glass]

Does anybody have trouble with the discover card which is also diners work in Africa. Neither my wife or mine would work there and now the taxidermist says it says it is a debit card when entering my info. I even notified discover ahead of time. Visa works. Is it the dualname thats messing it up.

There are some countries and situations in Africa that only accept Visa. AMEX is of course always an option or should be nearly anywhere. The weird thing is that you likely need a PIN number even for a credit card on the African banking systems. Also you must call the credit card company and notify them of the foreign charges. Let us know how it goes.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

Not to completely high jack the original posters thread but I felt this fits here.

Does anyone have a CC that they only use for international travel. I have contemplated taking out a card for my upcoming trip and leaving my current cards at home to guard against any potential fraud risk on them?

Good thought but no the credit card companies are liable for the fraud. I have gotten some prepaid debit cards with the same idea you have. The problem is finding a prepaid card that works internationally. If anyone’s knows of such please let us all know. You know the situations where you don’t have foreign currency and just want a coke or something and even vending machines take CC most of the time. You see it would be nice to put $200 or so on a prepaid card and then not have to worry about what happens to it.
Maybe someone more diligent than me can help here.
Philip

 

[Mekaniks]

I wish more companies would get on board with taking PayPal....

 

[sierraone]

There are some countries and situations in Africa that only accept Visa. AMEX is of course always an option or should be nearly anywhere. The weird thing is that you likely need a PIN number even for a credit card on the African banking systems. Also you must call the credit card company and notify them of the foreign charges. Let us know how it goes.
Philip

Philip, When I went to S.A. last year, (and again this year) everything related to the hunt including airfare, was put on AMEX over a 11 month period. When I called AMEX before my departure, to advise them them that I would be in South Africa, the person on the phone told me, it wasn't necessary for me to call them, they already knew where I would be and on what dates, since all my prep was done on Amex. This year will be the same, I started paying for the hunt in October, and bought my ticket in January. All Amex. Since my Amex is Delta co-branded, my entire trip is paid for. The only way I can lose money is to not go. I could probably move the hunt dates, but not the airfare. I will take cash for tips and airport incidentals. If I decide to take an additional animal it will go on Amex when I leave. You are correct though in that you need a PIN to use the card in S.A. out on the economy, not with the outfitter. I also did take and will take again a MasterCard that works the same way, but won't use it unless I have an emergencey (lose the Amex card) Benefits won't be the same since it is co-branded American.

 

[Philip Glass]

Philip, When I went to S.A. last year, (and again this year) everything related to the hunt including airfare, was put on AMEX over a 11 month period. When I called AMEX before my departure, to advise them them that I would be in South Africa, the person on the phone told me, it wasn't necessary for me to call them, they already knew where I would be and on what dates, since all my prep was done on Amex. This year will be the same, I started paying for the hunt in October, and bought my ticket in January. All Amex. Since my Amex is Delta co-branded, my entire trip is paid for. The only way I can lose money is to not go. I could probably move the hunt dates, but not the airfare. I will take cash for tips and airport incidentals. If I decide to take an additional animal it will go on Amex when I leave. You are correct though in that you need a PIN to use the card in S.A. out on the economy, not with the outfitter. I also did take and will take again a MasterCard that works the same way, but won't use it unless I have an emergencey (lose the Amex card) Benefits won't be the same since it is co-branded American.

That’s great to know. I’ve always wondered whyCitibank would deny a charge in a foreign country I’m visiting when I bought the plane ticket on their card! Much to be said for AMEX. I NOW have a Delta AMEX CARD.
Thanks!
Philip

 

[sierraone]

That’s great to know. I’ve always wondered whyCitibank would deny a charge in a foreign country I’m visiting when I bought the plane ticket on their card! Much to be said for AMEX. I NOW have a Delta AMEX CARD.
Thanks!
Philip

As I am paying my outfitter in the months leading up to the hunt, I used the Amex through Paypal. Never had an issue so far!

 

[AustinL]

I believe the bank I work for may sell pre-paid visa travel card. I’ll have to look into it for incidentals just not sure how it would handle the charge conversion. Will most likely just stick to my everyday Visa card.

 

[JimP]

I just used my regular Visa card. I put in a notification of where I was going and that was it. In three weeks in South Africa I had no problems using it for multiple things.

 

[CAustin]

That’s great to know. I’ve always wondered whyCitibank would deny a charge in a foreign country I’m visiting when I bought the plane ticket on their card! Much to be said for AMEX. I NOW have a Delta AMEX CARD.
Thanks!
Philip

I have a Delta AMX now as well and the points are racking up.the great thing is that Pieter at Pawprint Safaris takes it.

 

[dsmerrills]

Guys keep in mind that some outlets in South Africa and Africa do not accept Amex cards all the time. I have run into this problem on a number of occasions.

All outlets will accept Visa and MasterCard. I have inquired with the few outlets that declined to accept my Amex card and the response I got was that they do not accept it because the transaction fees are to expensive.

Just a thought!

 

[Philip Glass]

I have a Delta AMX now as well and the points are racking up.the great thing is that Pieter at Pawprint Safaris takes it.

Even better!