Tips For Healthy Trips » credit card http://www.irictm.com Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:07:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 5 Tips for Planning Travel Abroad http://www.irictm.com/5-tips-for-planning-travel-abroad/ http://www.irictm.com/5-tips-for-planning-travel-abroad/#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:01:30 +0000 admin http://www.irictm.com/5-tips-for-planning-travel-abroad Author: Rick Hendershotbr
Source: articleage.combr
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When you are traveling abroad you will undoubtedly find yourself dealing with a large number of companies that you are unfamiliar with, and whose policies and procedures are different from what you are used to.
One of your objectives when traveling abroad should be to minimize the opportunities for screw ups that might jeapordize your enjoyment and cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than you were counting on.
Here are some tips for when you are planning your next trip abroad.
1. Whenever possible, deal with people and businesses you know
Buying a cut rate vacation package from a company you have never dealt with before may seem smart at the time. But if you have no experience with the company, you really have no guarantee that everything promised in your travel package will actually come off as expected.
Talk to friends and relatives about travel companies they have dealt with. Look for reviews on the internet. Deal with companies who have been around for a while and are members of professional associations such as the American Society of Travel Agents, the National Tour Association or the United States Tour Operators Association.
2. Start planning well in advance
If you are planning a major vacation abroad start researching at least a year or two in advance. Search the internet for information about your destination. There are many travel sites devoted to providing information about special air flights, hotel rates, local customs, and things to see and do in the country you are planning to visit.
Hook up with one or two companies or travel agents that sound promising. Ask them for information, or ask to be put on their mailing list. Talk with them occasionally and follow their promotions. This will give you an idea of the type of service they provide and the costs involved. It will also help you to learn the vocabulary and give you a better idea of the proper questions to ask.
3. Be wary of telemarketers with travel deals
Telemarketers and vacation resellers are in the business of selling surplus travel and accommodation for other companies. They want to make the sale, and beyond that are not interested in your satisfaction, or whether you actually get the product you bargained for. Be aware that they have no responsibility to you after the sale has been made, and it might be difficult to get exactly what you thought you were getting from the company that is actually providing the service.
Many resellers will use ads in the newspaper or on the internet, or will send unsolicited faxes that offer cut rate vacations. Without some background on the company offering these deals you have no way of knowing if they are legitimate. The fact is the deals often contain hidden costs or they may require you to attend a sales presentation to qualify for the discount.
Certain practices used by these companies are dead giveaways that there is something fishy about their service. For instance dont deal with a company that wants to send a courier for your payment or asks you to send money by overnight delivery. Even giving your credit card information to such a company is very risky. So the best policy is not to deal with companies you dont know or dont have good reason to trust.
4. Dont pay until you have verified details of your travel package
One important advantage of dealing with a travel agent or tour operator that you know and trust is that they can make most arrangements without full payment from you. This allows you to withold a substantial part of your payment until you see the complete details of your trip. If your agent is booking flights, hotels or cruises for you they should be able to provide, in writing, a complete itinerary with names, addresses and telephone numbers so you can verify the bookings. Your agent or tour operator should also provide complete cancellation and refund policies.
If you deal with cut rate tour resellers it may be difficult to get these details, and you will probably be required to pay the full cost in advance. Nine times out of ten they will say We need full payment to hold your spot and guarantee these low prices. But once you have given them your payment you have very little leverage. If it turns out that you are not satisfied with some of the arrangements they will simply say You get what you pay for.
5. Never give out your credit card information on the phone to strangers
Most people who think paying online is risky are only too happy to give out their credit card information on the telephone to individuals they know nothing about. It is true that there are safety mechanisms built into the credit card system. But it is also true that someone who has your credit card information can do serious damage to you in a very short time. And even if you can eventually straighten out the mess, you will have been seriously inconvenienced in the meantime.
The general rule is that you should not give out credit card information to companies you are not familiar with. This means that if you are buying travel services from someone on the other end of your telephone you should not be prepared to pay by credit card.
Of course that presents a problem, since the alternative would be to send a check or money order, and they may not be prepared to wait a few days to receive it. That is good enough reason to look for a different service provider.
Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet News | Brazil Tours – Fantastic travel packages to Brazil | Cancun Mexico Hotels and Resortsbr
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]]> http://www.irictm.com/5-tips-for-planning-travel-abroad/feed/ 0 Traveling With Credit Cards: What You Need To Know http://www.irictm.com/traveling-with-credit-cards-what-you-need-to-know/ http://www.irictm.com/traveling-with-credit-cards-what-you-need-to-know/#comments Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:11:23 +0000 admin http://www.irictm.com/traveling-with-credit-cards-what-you-need-to-know/ Author: Edward Vegliante
Source: articledashboard.com

As you make travel plans this summer, be sure to pack the plastic. Credit cards are a convenient tool to finance your trip. To make the most of them, it’s best to keep a few factors in mind. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

Plan Ahead

As you prepare for the trip, take a look at the credit cards you have. If you plan to travel abroad, consider carrying cards that are widely accepted, such as Visa or MasterCard. Taking along two credit cards is wise; this way, if one of the cards is not accepted, you have a backup.

Most credit card companies and issuers charge fees for international purchases. This expense, which covers the fees incurred for currency conversion, is usually 2-3% of the purchase amount. To find out how much you will be charged, call your credit card company and ask before you leave. In most cases, the fees you will have to pay will be less than what you would spend exchanging dollars or cashing in traveler’s checks. This is because when you use a credit card, you usually receive the best exchange rate available.

A common problem for those traveling abroad involves purchases being blocked. This occurs because the international activity sets off a fraud alarm. For your safety, the credit card company does not allow the transaction. To avoid this potential dilemma, inform the company of your travel plans before you leave. They can make a note on your account that allows foreign transactions to go through.

Finally, before you travel, send an email to yourself. Include the toll-free number for customer service at the credit card company. This way, if the card gets lost or stolen, you can access your email and call the company immediately to stop any account activity. Be a Smart Traveler Even after proper planning, you will still want to be careful when traveling with credit cards. Make sure all purchase transactions are done in your presence. Most restaurants and hotels will process the card in a public place in order to avoid fraudulent activity. Pay with cash if you have any doubts.

If the credit card transaction does not go through, call the company right away. Occasionally, a purchase will be blocked for security reasons, even after informing the company of your trip. If you speak with a representative, the hold can be released on the card. This can be done within a few minutes, allowing you to make the purchase.

Should your card get lost or stolen, report it immediately. You will only be responsible for up to $50 in unauthorized purchases. In some cases, you won’t have to pay anything.

If you need to, you can use the credit card for cash advances. But remember that fees for these transactions can add up fast. If you will be unable to pay off the advance quickly, you may want to look into a different plan.

By preparing properly and taking safety precautions, you can travel easily with a credit card. They are more convenient than traveler’s checks. And they offer you more protection than cash, which disappears if it gets stolen. By using a credit card, you can enjoy the many benefits of carrying plastic on your trip.

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