Credit Card Usage in Bogota
Mongers,
Please provide feedback if it is safe to use credit cards in massage establishments such as: one relax Abejitas, Tantra Spa and bars such as: La Piscana, El Castillo, Bar Zhivago, Casanova, etc.
Thanks for the Words of Wisdom
[QUOTE=Hoof Hunter]I'm sure some of them do, but only a sadist would do so. Or someone who wishes to deal with card cloning and the like. Otherwise, stick with cash.
Some of the places you named are already clip joints. And taking anything more than a throwaway cell phone, the cash you plan to use, and a copy of your passport to Barrio Santa Fe (La Piscina/Castillo/etc), is so not advisable.
Stick to using credit cards in reputable places. At a minimum, hotels. At maximum, mall stores and supermarkets, where it is charged directly in front of you. Even with restaurants, you open yourself up to being cloned. Doesn't always happen, but sucks ass when it does.
In one night in May, a friend of mine only used his debit card once in Bogota, at the Citibank ATM in Zona Rosa, right in the Zona T. There were bank guards outside, as usual. Wouldn't you know it, his card got cloned and used a few more times. Who knows how it happened, but it did. His bank reimbursed him eventually, but goes to show.
Monger on.....but with common sense.[/QUOTE]Thanks Hoof.
While I do not like to carry cash, I guess its the most prudent method vis a' vis the serious threat of identity theft.
Plan to use cc only at hotels, reputable stores and travel agencies.
Again thanks for the wonderful advise.
Using credit cards only at hotels, reputable stores, travel agencies can be a mistake
[QUOTE=Hlover] While I do not like to carry cash, I guess its the most prudent method vis a' vis the serious threat of identity theft.
Plan to use cc only at hotels, reputable stores and travel agencies.
Again thanks for the wonderful advise.[/QUOTE]You can visit the most reputable hotels/stores/travel agencies and a single dishonest employee can easily clone, copy or simply write down your credit card numbers. Hopefully, you will get money returned, but then you have the problems of your credit file being ruined.
When you are asked the question of credit or debit, select credit, because then you receive alot of protection due to consumer protection laws for credit cards, you do not receive the same protection when you select debit.
Another advantage of selecting debit for example when you visit a gas station is by selecting credit you are asked to enter your zip code, which is alot safer then selecting debit and entering your PIN number. If someone is able to get your PIN, they simply clone the card, and your cash is gone.
Prepaid Cards: A Smart Alternative to Credit Cards
A smart alternative to credit cards is a prepaid debit card with the VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo. There are two types: Stored value debit cards that can be reloaded, and giftcards, which expire when the initial purchase value has been spent. These cards allow you to enjoy all the benefits of credit cards, without the typical drawbacks.
Some things cannot be bought with a prepaid card. You cannot use a prepaid card to pay for subscription services (i.e., recurring monthly bills such as cell phone service or gym club membership), for gambling in casinos, and for travel on cruise lines and some international airlines. To rent a car, you must use a regular credit card or debit card before picking up the vehicle. You may use a prepaid card to pay for the auto rental when you return it.
You might not be able to use a prepaid debit card when a preauthorization hold is placed on the card, such as when you are buying gasoline at the pump. It all depends on how much is left on your card, and how much the vendor is reserving for the purchase.