Credit Cards

By CaboOnline Staff
On January 19, 2006. 11:12 PM.
In Money.

Even if you don't plan on using a credit card, it's a nice thing to have along in case of emergency, or a great shopping spree, and it is safer than carrying around large amounts of cash.
What most people do not know is that there is a 5% or 6% credit card fee when you use your credit card in Mexico. Most retailers or hotels add this into the final price so you never notice it.

Another reason to keep an eye on your credit card is cloning. Credit card cloning has become an epidemic world wide, and can wreck a vacation. Make sure if you use your credit card, anywhere, you have your eye on it the entire time, or pay directly the cashier yourself. It is not the carbons or the receipts that are of issue, it is the actual card and a cloning machine.

When you use any credit card internationally you are charged a 1 percent fee by the Visa/MasterCard clearinghouse, no matter what country you are in. Most people are unaware of this fee. It is imposed at the currency exchange level as part of the transaction. But in addition to the clearinghouse fee, some issuers have begun to charge an additional 2 to 5 percent fee for international credit card transactions.

American Express charges a 2 percent fee for international transactions with its card. Before you rely on plastic as your major means of money while on vacation, check with your credit card company about their internation policies. In the end, you may be paying 10% more than if you would have paid with cash.

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