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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 119
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OP
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Any advice on how to handle my money when I am in AC (Only a few weeks to go!)? I was planning on using my Visa checkcard for most purchases, but I was reading that many charge a 5% fee??? What do all you experts reccomend? Travelers checks, cash ???
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,563
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Your diving and hotel probably will not charge a service charge. However, retailers will. I take traveler's checks in denominations of $20 US. You will get back your change in Belize and $50 US wipes them out.
I take enough cash to get through the first few days then only as much in traveler's checks as I want to spend.
In a pinch you can go to the Atlantic Bank and get an advance on your credit card for a charge of $5.00 US. I did that for an unexpected expense.
As they say "no problemo!" Harriette
Harriette Take only pictures leave only bubbles
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,157
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The retailers are not supposed to charge the 5% bank fee back to the customer, they could lose their merchant account if the bank found out, but everyone does it. I just got my merchant account and I consider the fee the cost of doing business, just as it is in the U.S. Its true about the cash advance cost though, here on Caye Caulker, Atlantic Bank ony charges $3 bz for any amount advanced. --Silk www.caribbean-colors.com [This message has been edited by silkpainter (edited 06-13-2002).]
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 71
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There are also now three casa de cambios open on the island - all on front street - they give the same rate and the queue is much shorter than in the bank.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 41
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My boyfriend & I were in AC last January and we used our charge card for almost everything: Meals, drinks at bars, shopping and were never charged any fees.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 119
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OP
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Thanks for the advice everyone. Your responses are making the anticipation of my first solo trip grow each day! I hope I get the chance to meet those of you who are going to be down there June 26 through August 9. Thanks again for everything!
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 79
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Just a word of advise...I dont like to use my debit card (Visa Checkcard or anything else linked to your checking/savings accounts) in a foreign country because if it gets into the wrong hands, you can get your entire account wiped out. With a regular Visa/MC credit account, you're only liable for $50-100 of fraudulent charges (depending on your state statutes), and the credit-issuing bank will cover the rest. I guess this kind of thing can also happen in "Main Street USA" too, but I've heard about it happening in the Caribbean several times. Recently, my sister-in-law made a phone call from Cancun with a debit card through a local phone company down there and that night her checking account was drained of $900 and there was nothing Fleet bank would do about it.
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 45
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My husband and I have been going down to A/C for ten years this is what we do. We take travelers check and cash them as we need to, at Milo's exchange. His hours are pretty flexible,we sailed everyday and had No problem finding time to cash travels checks. He is located on the first street that runs north and south. Just ask anyone where it is located. Everyone knows Milo the pilot. We always charge our room at Lilies and they do charge us a 5% credit card charge but it is worth not worrying about taking money along for your lodging. I hope this help you! Have a great time on A/c. DB
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 36
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It is the bank which sponsers your credit card that charges a fee for foreign currancy conversion. Citibank Visa charged 8% about 3 years ago. Since then I take travelers checks.
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,080
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some banks do charge a conversion fee (maybe all banks, I don't know)... BUT... many of the businesses in Belize also charge for using a credit card. They are offsetting the fee which VISA charges them, which is illegal, but it is done anyway. Believe me, I know of which I speak. I furnished a home down there, ordering a lot of the stuff from here and putting it on VISA, and they added the VISA charge right onto the bill.
Kathy
"You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
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