topic Re: How widely Amex accepted in Aruba in Credit Cards

How widely Amex accepted in Aruba

Red1Blue — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 22:49:26 GMT

I know Aruba is a travel attraction for tourists. How widely Amex is accepted there? I want to use Amex where ever they accept it and will use my capone/penfed visa at other place. Any thoughts how widely amex might be accepted there and how much credit I should keep it open on my other non amex cards?

Re: How widely Amex accepted in Aruba

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 02:17:34 GMT

You do realize Amex will charge you a 2.7% Foreign transaction fee for every purchase right? Capital One cards do not charge this fee and some PenFed cards don't either. If you're willing to pay the fee, fine but just bear that in mind.

Re: How widely Amex accepted in Aruba

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 04:43:01 GMT

From visitaruba.com:

"Major credit cards are accepted at most establishments while personal checks are normally not accepted."

American Express

S.E.L. Maduro & Sons
Rockefellerstr, 1
Oranjestad
Phone +297 582 3888
office hours 8:00 - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Closed on official holidays. Services include personal check cashing, refunds, exchange and replacement of American Express Traveler checks, American Express Card replacement service, report of lost or stolen American Express Cards.

So I figure if AmEx has a travel office in Aruba, there must be at least somewhat of a strong presence there. I also read through a few things about foreign transaction fees. Users on some trip planning forums report that many vendors (especially hotels that cater to American tourists) charge transactions in US Dollars. They report that if the transaction goes through in dollars, there is no extra fee charged by the card issuing bank. However, if the purchase is sent through in Aruban florin, the foreign transaction fee would apply.

Re: How widely Amex accepted in Aruba

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 06:22:06 GMT

FYI -- Some banks charge a foreign transaction fee for transactions in foreign countries that are priced in your home country currency.

This is one time that it's worth pulling out the card disclosures and reading the fine print for each card you are considering using.