Traveltalkonline.com Forums


BVI Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors BVI Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics39,307
Posts318,791
Members26,656
Most Online3,755
Sep 23rd, 2024
Top Posters(30 Days)
bdeeley 67
RonDon 36
Kennys 28
erb923 26
jazzgal 22
GaKaye 20
Member Spotlight
Halcyon
Halcyon
Sacramento, California
Posts: 23
Joined: May 2018
Today's Birthdays
KDTenn, MCJgraduate
Who's Online Now
23 members (SXMScubaman, CanuckTravlr, Whale Tail, Todd, RatmansWife, xrayman67, GeorgeC1, Kegoangoango, Kennys, timnboston, Todd_Melinda_K, Uksimonusa, deliveryskipper, Manitoulin Island Girl, SXMbeacher, Rbailey, 7 invisible), 1,105 guests, and 81 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#93118 04/05/2016 07:46 PM
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
S
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
My husband and I are making a trip to Tortola, Anegada, and Cooper Island in just under 2 weeks. We honeymooned at Cooper Island (Beach Club) in October 2014, so we're excited to return. Anegada is new for us. Is it true that you should bring a lot of cash and don't expect to use credit cards? It will be difficult to plan for meals and drinks. We're renting one of the Loblolly Cottages (not Big Bamboo) and a jeep. We're flying to/from Beef Island.


Cindy
Salisbury, MD
BVI Sponsors
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,157
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,157
We have always used credit cards on anegada. Have never had any issues.


Warren S/V Scuba Doo
Lagoon 50 (winner of best crewed yacht under 55 feet at the St. Thomas crewed yacht boat show).

https://www.cyabrochure.com/ebn/2307/pdyrX/6642/4///
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 70
P
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
P
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 70
The first few times we went down we used mostly credit cards. Never had any issues and was always excepted. The only reason we quit using them was the foreign transaction fees. We now just bring a card for just in case, and do cash only.


Phil
Nixa, Mo.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,114
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,114
Use a Capitol One card with no foreign transaction fees or membership..dumped all my other cards for it..great customer service and rewards programme too..

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
S
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
I think I just thought that most businesses didn't have a credit card machine on Anegada?


Cindy
Salisbury, MD
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,114
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,114
Nearly all of them have CC machines..a good card and a couple of hundred $$ and you'll be covered..if service is not included , or I decide to add a little, I always leave that in cash to make sure the server gets it..

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
The only place I can think of that may not have a CC machine is Flash of Beauty. It's possible there is one there, but I've not seen it.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 435
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 435
We have a Chase Sapphire Preferred for the same reasons that Manpot listed above. We were on Anegada for a week in Nov and I think the only place we had to use cash was for the tip at Big Bamboo as they did not run tips on CC's.

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,963
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,963
We bring cash and ask about the preference for cash vs. credit. The answer is always "Cash please!" Some places have charged us 6% for using credit in the past. We plan on $100 per person per day, half in cash.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Quote
philthepilot said:
The first few times we went down we used mostly credit cards. Never had any issues and was always excepted. The only reason we quit using them was the foreign transaction fees. We now just bring a card for just in case, and do cash only.


AMEX Platinum, NO foreign transaction fees, 1st checked back FREE for all in your travel party (up to 6 travelers saves $25 each 1st checked bag)each way, and Zone 1 boarding.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,787
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,787
Likes: 1
Rick--Do places on Anegada accept AMEX? It's been my experience that many or most places in the ilons don't accept AMEX...


Carol Hill
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,018
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,018
When we were down last week, ALL the internet access was down. Several of the places had a "plan B". they took our CC card number and our phone number if there were any issues.

I understand the "trust" ramifications on both sides.

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
Amex merchant fees are off the chart. Even in the U.S. Amex fees are double Visa/MC, more then that in the islands. I've heard up to 5%.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,787
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,787
Likes: 1
AND AMEX has increased all THEIR fees to their card holders also. I cancelled one AMEX card I had had for over 20 years because of their outrageous fees. I kept my business card, but thought long and hard about it.


Carol Hill
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 33
S
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 33
Quote
hallucination said:
When we were down last week, ALL the internet access was down. Several of the places had a "plan B". they took our CC card number and our phone number if there were any issues.

I understand the "trust" ramifications on both sides.


Same story for us in February. No ones POS machines could connect with the network so we left several places with our card number and a promise to process the sale when the connection was fixed.

Unfortunately we did have our card skimmed during the trip, and had to cancel it when we got home, but Visa does NOT believe it was any of the merchants on Anegada. Second time that has happened. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> my advice is to bring cash. As someone else said, the small merchants like it much better!

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
We still have an old slide the card over a carbon copy template and yes we have used it when the phone lines were down.

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,597
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,597
Credit cards are accepted most places on Anegada. The only places that do not accept them are Flash of Beauty, the gasoline station, and any of the small grocery shops. Big Bamboo will accept credit cards, but will not allow tips to be on a credit card - cash only for tips.

No place on Anegada accepts American Express.

Gasoline is a serious issue here right now. The gasoline station has not had fuel for two weeks, and there seems to be no idea when they might. They have apparently lost their ability to purchase gasoline from Tortola due to non-payment for past deliveries.

We are now getting fuel from a barge that comes once a week (Thursday or Friday night), and brings a fuel truck over. You have to go to the dock while the barge is there. The truck cannot deliver fuel direct to a vehicle. You have to have your own container(s) to accept fuel from the truck and then transfer it to your vehicle yourself. The charge has been $5/gallon - cash only.


Walker Mangum
Cow Wreck Beach, Anegada
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,321
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,321
Quote
sail2wind said:
We still have an old slide the card over a carbon copy template and yes we have used it when the phone lines were down.


I only have one card left that has any raised numbers on it- the chip&pin cards only have the numbers printed!


If I can't be a good example, I'll just have to be a horrible warning. [Linked Image]
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,213
I know, we have to write the number down on those cards. We have yet to get a chip and pin processor from our processing company.

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Quote
Carol_Hill said:
AND AMEX has increased all THEIR fees to their card holders also. I cancelled one AMEX card I had had for over 20 years because of their outrageous fees. I kept my business card, but thought long and hard about it.


I don't consider the $195 I pay outrageous due to the benefits I mentioned. But whatever... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,114
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,114
The last membership bill I got from AMEX was close to $400..for a card I cant use here..no thanks..check out Cap One..

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Quote
Manpot said:
The last membership bill I got from AMEX was close to $400..for a card I cant use here..no thanks..check out Cap One..

WOW you must have been a big time member to have paid double!!

Last edited by RickinAtlanta; 04/06/2016 09:49 PM.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,114
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,114
Platinum card that I used for work travel..useful for Europe and rental cars etc..useless in the Caribbean.

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Quote
RickinAtlanta said:
WOW you must have been a big time member to have paid double!!


WOW you must have no idea how AMEX fees work. It has nothing to do with whether you are a "big time" or small time member (whatever that means). An AMEX Business Platinum card is $450 no matter who you are.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,963
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,963
We're in the process of moving our business cards from AmEx Platinum to Gold. The Gold is much less expensive and gets the same rewards points. We don't use the Platinum concierge features.

For home, we use Capital One Venture Visa and prefer it over AmEx.

Cheers, RickG


S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423
Grenada
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Quote
JasonHelmbrecht said:
Quote
RickinAtlanta said:
WOW you must have been a big time member to have paid double!!



WOW you must have no idea how AMEX fees work. It has nothing to do with whether you are a "big time" or small time member (whatever that means). An AMEX Business Platinum card is $450 no matter who you are.


WOW I really don't care. Just a comment.

Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,787
Likes: 1
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,787
Likes: 1
OK, guys, this thread is going totally off the wheels..


Carol Hill
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,122
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,122
Bringing it back around ... On Anegada right now. Used a cc at cow wreck and will use it at wonky dog tonight. Cash at big bamboo today only because it was a small amount ($7 thanks to drinking mans guide)

Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Traveler
Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,618
Quote
Carol_Hill said:
OK, guys, this thread is going totally off the wheels..

Agreed, no more from me on this.

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
S
Member
OP Offline
Member
S
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3
Thank you all for your advice. I think we'll do part cash and part credit cards. I'm much less stressed now (I had visions of running out of cash). Just about a week now until vacation - so excited.


Cindy
Salisbury, MD

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5