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From: carl@bdaemon.UUCP (carl)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: American Express or Diners Club ?
Message-ID: <293@bdaemon.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 3-May-85 15:43:08 EDT
Article-I.D.: bdaemon.293
Posted: Fri May  3 15:43:08 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 6-May-85 01:39:07 EDT
References: <1822@topaz.ARPA> <275@moncol.UUCP>
Organization: Daemon Assoc., Boulder, CO
Lines: 21

> 
> >    The question as to what of these cards should one prefer (American
> >Express or Diners Club) may seem ridiculous but I am seriously concerned.

Master Card served us well in Fiji and Western Samoa five years ago.  Only
a few times did we have to use AMEX and regardless of the card the exchange
rate was better with the cards than at banks, hotels etc., with travellers
checks (also AMEX!).  We were told that this happens because the card
companies honor the exchange rate existing on the day the card is used
while the travellers checks must clear (in Australia about two weeks later)
before the merchant will know how much they are worth.  The uncertainty is
enough to warrant a lower rate (Exception: The state run bank in Suva, Fiji
had by far the best rates, service etc.).

CAUTION:  Always keep your copy of the card transaction.  After returning
from Cozumel two years ago we got a monster bill from VISA.  The people at
one of the large US car rental agencies had torn up the originals and
handwritten new ones for three times what we had signed for.  Once VISA got
photo-copies of our copies, the money was quickly refunded.

Carl Brandauer