Money and Credit Cards
Suggestions
I had been watching cabins and the aft Royal Family Suites had 2 of the 3 cabins available the day before we boarded so I asked (what could it hurt?) about an upgrade. We got one for an additional $500. So for our 16-night cruise, we had the RFS cabin for less than $100 per day p/p. I tell this story so much, my friends hate to mention South America cruising, Radiance or priceops in my presence. I don't expect to ever see that good a deal again.
Will we need pounds in England, euros in France and Ireland, Canadian dollars in Canada, and possibly krona in Iceland?
We usually bring a debit card from a bank that doesn't charge extra "foreign transaction fees" and just get cash from ATMs. Last time we used Wachovia, but now that it's been sold, will have to check to see if my card is still fee-free. I'm pretty sure that Capital One has a fee-free debit card and credit card, both.
You definitely want to use a debit type of card and not your credit card for ATMs, as a CC will charge cash withdrawal fees and high interest as well. For larger purchases, we use our Capital One credit card. Also establish a 4-digit pin and memorize it by the numbers and not letters. In France, there were no letters on the ATMs, which caused us some confusion years ago figuring out our letter-to-number conversion!
You are correct on the currency in each country. You can check each port by clicking on the name on the itinerary map on our cruise web site. I would make one clarification. A debit card is not the only good way to get cash from an ATM. You can use a simple ATM card. At my bank they can be identified by the debit card having either a MasterCard or Visa logo on it. Most stores will accept them just like a credit card, but the amount comes straight out of your checking account.
An ATM card will also get cash out of the terminal but it can't be used in stores. If you use a credit card to get cash, you will be charged for a cash advance and pay some pretty stiff fees. We use credit cards for most purchases and try to keep our spending in local currency to a minimum. If you don't need much local currency, an ATM is the best way and the ship bank is also convenient, but a little more expensive. But in small amounts, it won't be too bad. You can also convert your various currencies back to USD on board (but thy don't take coins). I do go to my bank and get enough local currency in our departure port to ensure we can get to the hotel. Airport ATMs are sometimes hard to find and I don't want any problems after an overnight flight.
I agree on the Capital One credit card - as far as I know they are the only one that does not charge a 3% transaction fee. I would also suggest that a couple bring different credit cards in case one person gets a wallet or purse stolen. It happened to us in Italy and we were very grateful that we had one usuable card left. By the way, credit card companies will not bring replacement cards to a ship. I learned that the hard way - and Capital One does not have a European office and won't replace a lost or stolen one there.
Best way to get cash is with a local ATM, but they are not all equal. Check with the local bank on their rates. In Australia we found a difference of 3% on charges between banks in the same city.
I've travelled out of the US (not to England, though) and the first time I did it, I found out about the PIN numbers -- we of course don't use them here in the US, but every credit card I have, has a PIN number attached to it, which I found out about by calling the credit card company and asking. It's also a good idea to tell the credit card company that you are going out of the country -- otherwise they'll put an "alert" on your card and stop payment on "suspicious" charges...which will mean you' won't be able to use your card!
The "wave your card" thing is happening here in the US, too. There's a chip embedded in the card so all you have to do is hold it up to the machine (at the sites who have that technology), and the site machine will 'read" the chip in your card, and the charge will appear on your credit card, as usual. Here in the US I've most often seen them at toll booths on highways, but they're beginning to appear in unlikly places lilke drive-through restaurants -- you just hold up your card and pass on through.
We were just in London and used a credit card that does not have the new chip technology - so all credit card slips needed signature. If your card has the new chip technology - the card gets placed in a slot at the front of the machine - it reads the info (rather than swipe down the side) and then you enter your PIN just like you would with your ATM bank card.... with this technology - you do not need to sign the transaction slip.
Rick Steves says:
Use ATMs rather than travelers checks. You'll get your cash cheaper and faster. While ATMs give the best possible rates, they do come with transaction fees. Minimize these fees by making fewer and larger withdrawals. Store the cash safely in your moneybelt.
Look for consolidator tickets for overseas flights. Consolidator or "discount" air tickets are perfectly legitimate. By putting up with a few minor drawbacks (no changes allowed and no frequent flier miles given) you can save hundreds of dollars.
Don't let frequent flier miles cloud your judgment. Choose a plane ticket, car rental, hotel or tour according to the best value for your trip, not in hopes of scoring a few extra miles.
Wear a money belt. You'll save money by not losing it. Thieves target Americans not because they're mean but because they're smart. They know we're the ones with the good stuff in our purses and wallets. Assume beggars are pickpockets. Be wary of commotions in crowds and fake police who ask to see your wallet. When you know the scams, they're almost entertaining.
Buy your maps in Europe at half the price you'd pay in America. And you'll find a wider selection.
Spend coins before crossing a currency border. While you can always change paper currency, coins are generally worthless outside their domain. A €2 coin is worth nearly $3.
Credit cards
Credit cards work fine throughout Europe (at hotels, larger shops and restaurants, travel agencies, and so on), although more and more merchants are establishing a $30 minimum. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted. American Express is less common (because it costs merchants more) but is popular with some travelers for its extra services. The Discover card is completely unknown in Europe.
Before you go, confirm with your bank that your card will work in Europe and alert them that you'll be making withdrawals while traveling – otherwise, the bank might freeze your card if it detects unusual spending patterns. Some banks automatically block US debit card use in certain countries (including the United Kingdom) to protect against fraud. (Credit-card companies do the same thing – inform them of your plans, as well.) You don't have to tell them specific dates you'll be away. Just saying you'll be in France in July is sufficient.
ATMs and getting money
ATM transactions using bank-issued debit cards come with various fees. Your bank may levy a flat $2–5 transaction fee each time you use an ATM, and/or may charge a percentage for the currency conversion (1–3 percent); the ATM you use might charge its own fee, too. If your bank charges a flat fee, make fewer visits to the ATM and withdraw larger amounts. (Some major US banks partner with "corresponding" European bank chains, meaning that you can use those ATMs with no fees at all – ask your bank.) Other fees may apply; for all the details, see The Sleaze of Fees, below. These additional expenses can pile up. Quiz your bank to figure out exactly what you'll pay for each withdrawal.
Note that if you use a credit card for ATM transactions, it's technically a "cash advance" rather than a "withdrawal" – and subject to an additional cash-advance fee. If you plan to use a credit card rather than a debit card for ATM transactions, ask the issuing bank about all the associated charges.
Since some European keypads have only numbers, you will need to know your personal identification number (PIN) by number rather than by letter – derive the numbers from your hometown bank's keypad. A PIN with more than four digits may not be accepted. Plan on being able to withdraw money only from your checking account. You might be able to dip into your savings account or transfer funds between accounts, but don't count on it.
Bringing two different cards provides a backup if one is demagnetized or eaten by a machine. Make sure the validity period of your card won't expire before your trip ends.
Ask your bank how much you can withdraw per 24 hours. Note that foreign ATMs may not let you withdraw your daily limit. Many machines have a small maximum, forcing you to make several withdrawals and incur several fees to get the amount you want. When choosing how much to withdraw from a cash machine, request a big amount on the small chance you'll get it. If you're lucky and the machine complies, you'll save on fees. If you're denied, don't take it personally. Try again, requesting a smaller amount. Few ATM receipts list the exchange rate, and some machines don't dispense receipts at all.
If you're looking for an ATM, ask for a distributeur automatique in France, a cashpoint in the UK,
It pays to shop around for the best rates, both for debit-card ATM withdrawals and credit-card transactions. Consider these examples and you'll see how these fees can really add up over the length of your trip.
Tipping in England
Generally I think the rule is this – if you hire someone for their personal service, then they are charging a price that they feel is fair and no tip is required. If you are hiring a company and their staff are serving you, then 10% is adequate, 15% very generous. So, taxi drivers, coach drivers, restaurants (but not pubs!), hairdressers, hotels and larger guesthouses – tip. Small bed and breakfasts, pubs – no tip necessary, and no tipping at WCs (very few in Britain are pay toilets anyway).
How to give the tip varies. Discreet is a good rule – Brits, especially the English, don't like "big deals" made of anything, really. If you can leave it on a bed or a table, great. Otherwise, put the tip in with the payment and say something like, "Keep the rest, please." Or, for example, a cab fare is £10 and all you have is a twenty, then you could say something like, "Could you give me change for £12 please." (Wow, I'm a big tipper – that's 20%!)
Living over here now, I realize that Americans, or anyone, doing things according to their own custom without bothering to ask what's appropriate, are really quite offensive, or they think we are "mugs" (easily taken advantage of).
Tipping in France
As a rule, service will be included in your restaurant bill (service compris). If you're unsatisfied with the service, don't leave anything extra. If it's been OK, leave 10%, if delighted 15%. (If service is not included – service non compris – a 15% tip is always appropriate.) If you're in a busy restaurant, hand the tip the to waiter and say, "c'est bon." If it's just coffee, don't pick up the change.
For a taxi, round up to nearest euro (if €17.5 go to €18). If the driver has been particularly helpful, tip more.
Frommer's says:
Tipping – By law, all bills show service compris, which means the tip is included; additional gratuities are customarily given as follows: For hotel staff, tip the porter 1.05€ to 1.50€ ($1.50-$2.20) per item of baggage and 1.50€ ($2.20) per day for the chambermaid. You're not obligated to tip the concierge, doorman, or anyone else unless you use his or her services. In cafes and restaurants, waiter service is usually included, though you can leave some small change, if you like. Tip taxi drivers 12% to 15% of the amount on the meter. In theaters and restaurants, give cloakroom attendants at least .75€ ($1.10) per item. Give restroom attendants in nightclubs and such places about .30€ ($0.45). Tip the hairdresser about 15%, and don't forget to tip the person who gives you a shampoo or a manicure 1.50€ ($2.20). For guides of group visits to museums and monuments, .75€ to 1.50€ ($1.10-$2.20) is a reasonable tip. Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/paris/0062020016.html#ixzz0VTNcBFQ2
Tipping in European Restaurants
Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. In most places, 10 percent is a big tip. If your bucks talk at home, muzzle them on your travels. As a matter of principle, if not economy, the local price should prevail. Please believe me – tipping 15 or 20 percent in Europe is unnecessary, if not culturally insensitive.
Tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have waiters and waitresses. If you order your food at a counter (in a pub, for example), don't tip.
At table-service restaurants, the tipping etiquette and procedure varies slightly from country to country. But in general, European servers are well-paid, and tips are considered a small "bonus" – to reward great service, or for simplicity in rounding the total bill to a convenient number. In most countries, 5 percent is adequate, 10 verges on excessive, and 15 or 20 percent is unheard-of.
Tipping in Ireland
Restaurants: First check that there is no service charge included (if it is included it will generally be 12%). If there is no service charge included then we would generally tip between 10% and 15%. I personally include the amount in the money for the bill and hand it all together to the waiter / waitress.
Taxis: It is not compulsory to tip the taxi driver. €1 or €2 would suffice depending on the length of the journey. Generally I would just round up.
WC: No tipping, unless you are in an establishment where there is a lady / gentleman in the bathrooms providing toiletries (perfume, anti perspirant etc). If we use the items they provide then we would give a small tip.
Irish Pubs If you try to tip the personnel in a pub you'll more than likely earn an incredulous stare - it simply is not done. The invitation to "have one for yourself" is a way around this.
Irish Cafes and Bistros Most of these will have a bowl or other receptacle near the cash register, complete with a subtle reminder that tips are appreciated. These then usually are made up of some loose change.
Tipping in Iceland
Most foreign visitors to Iceland will tell you it's ridicilously expensive. From the cost of accomodation and tours down to what you pay for a cup of coffee and everything in between. If you've heard the tales but are still set on going, you'll be pleased to learn that service fees are always included in the bill. This applies to everything. Restaurants, taxis, tour guides, café's, room service...you name it. What you see (the bill) is what you pay. Tipping is never ever expected.
If you want to tip anyway, there's nothing stopping you from doing so. Icelanders are as a whole a fairly well travelled lot themselves and they are familiar with the concept of tipping. They will almost always accept tips based on that. Some might tell you that you don't have to tip them but most will just accept it and thank you.
How much do you tip in Iceland?
Usually nothing. In Iceland, tipping isn't expected - all bills that you receive already include gratuity, and it is quite unnecessary (and uncommon) to add a tip in Iceland. You'll still get a smile and Icelanders won't think any worse of you. Tipping in Iceland is just not common.
Of course, Icelanders won't decline a tip for good service either. The appropriate amount to tip in Iceland, if you feel you've received excellent service, should be up to 10% of your bill. The best way for visitors in Iceland to show their appreciation is to leave the tip by rounding up the amount of the bill. For example, if your bill shows 2740.- ISK and you think service was great, it would be appropriate (but not expected) to give them a total of 3000.- ISK in the local currency.
In Iceland, tipping isn't even needed for taxis - their final charges already include gratuity as well. If you come across a service that you'd like to give a tip for, though, offer a small amount or in form of "rounding up" to the nearest even amount.
Tipping in Canada
Gratuities are seldom included in Canadian restaurants. It is customary to tip 15% on the total bill before tax, 20% for exceptional service. Many restaurants may charge an automatic 15% gratuity for larger groups. This is up to the individual establishment but is usually applicable to groups of 8 or more. Some restaurants also "auto-grat" groups from countries that don't normally tip. A "tip" for calculating the appropriate tip at a restaurant is simply to multiply the 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) amount shown on the bill by three--three times 5% is 15%.
Apart from $1 and $2 coins (loonies and toonies), quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies are much the same size and weight as American coins, with one crucial difference: Canadian coins are magnetic, U.S. are not, so U.S coins will not work in Canadian machines.
It is also a good idea to tip in hotels. Tipping at hotels does not stop with the hotel staff that brings baggage to a guest room. For example, if the valet service is used to park a car, it is customary to leave a tip. If you are in and out with your vehicle several times a day, many valets will refuse a tip each time. When they refuse, it is a nice touch to leave a little extra on their next tip. It is also appreciated when a tip is left for your hotel room attendant. One idea is to write 'Thank You' on a notepad and leave the tip there. Also, if the hotel concierge does something extra, such as securing theatre tickets for you it is the usual practice to leave a tip for that service.
Tipping is also customary for other service providers such as ... taxi drivers. In these cases the percentage of tip is really up to the individual, but 10% minimum is common.
The GST (Goods and Services Tax) rebate formerly available to visitors from USA and overseas is no longer available.
