I agree with this approach and actions with respect to credit cards, great advice!
That said, once you've been plied with 5+ rum and cokes (why is Tanduay select so good! This all becomes more difficult.
But by a) not drinking too heavily and b) doing the below actions, you can definitely keep your card safe and not run into any problems.
I will give BofA a plug by saying they immediately noticed the transactions and declined all but one, and that one was quickly researched and reversed. So no damage done.
I will also give a plug for Lips mamasan, Neehan, she was very professional, fun to talk to, confirmed all my charges with me and everything was spot on accurate. So there are trustworthy folks in go-go bars, but yeah, heightened security definitely recommended.
Enjoy Manila!
[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2893554]Thanks for posting this. Using a CC in such establishments means considering using some heightened security for large purchases: Keep the card locked from within your bank's app until needed. Unlock the card just before you pay and depart the bar. Ask the waitress to bring the bill and card-reader device to you (not the cashier) so you can watch her enter the amount in the device. Today's card readers can be unplugged from both the electrical outlet (rechargeable) and also any wired internet connection (wifi). If they insist that the cashier transacts it at her station (post covid, all cashiers are in a closed office / room), you can go there and watch the cashier use the device (she will turn the device so you can see it and confirm the bill amount on the device). The device prints 2 receipts on the spot. Compare the printed receipt from the device with the bill: Is it the same? After you sign, keep your copy of the receipt (have seen drunk whales literally leave it on their table and waltz out, having never even looked at it). Pull the phone back out of your pocket, check the recent amount on your bank app account, and then re-lock the card on the app before departing the bar. Having the card pre-set at a limit amount as Idiot suggests is also a good idea.
Everything I just said is a vibe-killer. But, just sayin' that if you are running up a tab of p30-100 K in a bar, whether cash or CC requires a heightened sense of security and sitch awareness. Don't let a waitress walk off with your CC out of your site in a gogo bar.[/QUOTE]