Question about shipboard account

[ciska40]

Hi,

I have read on the site of the Holland america line that they reserve an amount of 60 dollars per person on your credit card. Now I am wondering can you still settle your account with cash on the end of the cruise. I have cruised several times with the HAL and always payed cash at the end of the cruise. Have they changed that or can you still do that.


Thanks
ciska

[jhannah]

You can still do that. You will need to post cash up front equal to the automatic holds they would otherwise place on your credit/debit card. Simply go to the front office once you board and they will accommodate you.

[Fran Record]

Unless they've changed, you can give your credit card and then pay cash instead at the end of the cruise in addition to posting cash up front.

[RevNeal]

Both Jim and Fran are correct. You can secure your account with a credit card, but then settle in cash if you prefer. Or, you can secure your account with a cash deposit and settle in cash. In actuality, you don't HAVE to deposit an amount equal to the daily pre-authorization amount ... though that is what is recommended. If you think you'll spend less, and wish to deposit less, just tell them that this is what you're doing and they WILL contact you if it looks like you're about to run out of cash security on your shipboard account. But, make sure that you let the front desk know what you're doing.

[AlohaPride]

Hi,

I have read on the site of the Holland america line that they reserve an amount of 60 dollars per person on your credit card. Now I am wondering can you still settle your account with cash on the end of the cruise. I have cruised several times with the HAL and always payed cash at the end of the cruise. Have they changed that or can you still do that.


Thanks
ciska

My DH and I plan on making out deposit with Traveler's Checks. It's $60 pp/day. So on our 11 Night we will deposit $1440 (12 days). This deposit will be cash, and I'm sure if we get close to our limit, we will be able to add more. If we don't spend it all, we get a refund (how awesome would that be? Getting money BACK at the end of your trip). N-E-Ways, this is how we are doing it.

Hope I helped :)

[cruisequeen10]

On my Zuiderdam Alaska July 8-15 cruise I paid my shipboard account in cash. I only put down $50 cash when I boarded and paid the remainder on the last day (morning we got off). If you put down cash at the beginning and don't use it all, you won't get the remainder of the cash back until the morning that you disembark. They will not give it to you any sooner. It was a pain, as we had to stand in line at 6:00 a.m. for a miesly $7.14 to be returned to us.

[Bases5]

Queen

You only spent $42 dollars for the whole cruise? You need to speak to my wife. I can spend that much on a bottl of wine.

[agabbymama]

I agree with Bases5. You only spent $42? How is that possible? Do you not buy pictures or drinks at all?

I thought we did good at $80 pp. We did buy two drinks and I think four of the pictures that were taken, and a thimble at the gift shop.:D

[Navy_Chief]

My DH and I plan on making out deposit with Traveler's Checks. It's $60 pp/day. So on our 11 Night we will deposit $1440 (12 days). This deposit will be cash, and I'm sure if we get close to our limit, we will be able to add more. If we don't spend it all, we get a refund (how awesome would that be? Getting money BACK at the end of your trip). N-E-Ways, this is how we are doing it.

Hope I helped :)

Mary, we do ours the same way. Usually starting out with a set amount we think we will spend and deposit that using Travelers Cheques. Greg is correct though, you don't have to put down the 60 pp/pd if you don't think you will speend that much. We generally get money back when it is all said and done and NEVER get charged anything after the fact (in some rare instances, members have complained of things of this nature. Best practice, check your credit card bill closely to see if it jives with your ship's reciepts if paying by your card)

[AlohaPride]

We generally get money back when it is all said and done and NEVER get charged anything after the fact (in some rare instances, members have complained of things of this nature. Best practice, check your credit card bill closely to see if it jives with your ship's reciepts if paying by your card)

That's EXACTLY why we wont be using our Debit Cards at ALL on this trip. We don't use credit cards (as I am racking up enough debt just in student loans :rolleyes: ). There wont be a way to charge us for anything we didn't actually use....plus we aren't in a rush to get off the ship at the end because we will be spending 2 days in NY after.

I did have a question, though. According to my TA and some other places, our cruise is being advertised as an 11 NIGHT cruise - meaning 12 days. I have also seen it advertised as an 11 DAY cruise - even though we will be on board 11 nights too. Sooooo....do I plan $60 pp/day for 11 or 12 days? So far, I've budgeted for 12, but I just wanted to make sure :o

[Navy_Chief]

That's EXACTLY why we wont be using our Debit Cards at ALL on this trip. We don't use credit cards (as I am racking up enough debt just in student loans :rolleyes: ). There wont be a way to charge us for anything we didn't actually use....plus we aren't in a rush to get off the ship at the end because we will be spending 2 days in NY after.

I did have a question, though. According to my TA and some other places, our cruise is being advertised as an 11 NIGHT cruise - meaning 12 days. I have also seen it advertised as an 11 DAY cruise - even though we will be on board 11 nights too. Sooooo....do I plan $60 pp/day for 11 or 12 days? So far, I've budgeted for 12, but I just wanted to make sure :o

You should be fine if you planned for 12 days.

[RuthC]

I did have a question, though. According to my TA and some other places, our cruise is being advertised as an 11 NIGHT cruise - meaning 12 days. I have also seen it advertised as an 11 DAY cruise - even though we will be on board 11 nights too. Sooooo....do I plan $60 pp/day for 11 or 12 days? So far, I've budgeted for 12, but I just wanted to make sure :o
I'm glad you brought this up because I've been meaning to talk to you about this.

You're on an 11-day cruise---not 12. You're on an 11-night cruise.
Day one is the day you board; night one is that night. Time passes. Day eleven is the day you're saying good-bye, packing, and generally working hard to hold back the tears; night eleven is that night. (You can tell because your luggage is in the hall.)
The next day---the day they drag you kicking and screaming off the ship---doesn't have a number for you. It's day one for some other lucky passenger who is about to trespass in your cabin!

Got it? :)

[AlohaPride]

I'm glad you brought this up because I've been meaning to talk to you about this.

You're on an 11-day cruise---not 12. You're on an 11-night cruise.
Day one is the day you board; night one is that night. Time passes. Day eleven is the day you're saying good-bye, packing, and generally working hard to hold back the tears; night eleven is that night. (You can tell because your luggage is in the hall.)
The next day---the day they drag you kicking and screaming off the ship---doesn't have a number for you. It's day one for some other lucky passenger who is about to trespass in your cabin!

Got it? :)

Thank you...that's what I THOUGHT I just didn't want to "bet" on it :D

[RuthC]

that's what I THOUGHT I just didn't want to "bet" on it :D
So, since I just saved you $120, I'll let you buy me some chocolate ice cream when I see you! :D
(kidding, Mary. just kidding.)

[AlohaPride]

So, since I just saved you $120, I'll let you buy me some chocolate ice cream when I see you! :D
(kidding, Mary. just kidding.)

LOL, I was thinking about chocolate covered macadamia nuts? Or chocolate covered dried pineapple....your pick :D

[RuthC]

LOL, I was thinking about chocolate covered macadamia nuts? Or chocolate covered dried pineapple....your pick :D
:D :DBoth!!!!!:D :D

[whogo]

On my Zuiderdam Alaska July 8-15 cruise I paid my shipboard account in cash. I only put down $50 cash when I boarded and paid the remainder on the last day (morning we got off). If you put down cash at the beginning and don't use it all, you won't get the remainder of the cash back until the morning that you disembark. They will not give it to you any sooner. It was a pain, as we had to stand in line at 6:00 a.m. for a miesly $7.14 to be returned to us.

Well done, Cruisequeen! I find that umbrella drinks, shop purchases, and gambling add nothing to my cruise experience. I will take my own pictures, thank you.

[Bodger]

My DH and I plan on making out deposit with Traveler's Checks. It's $60 pp/day. So on our 11 Night we will deposit $1440 (12 days). This deposit will be cash, and I'm sure if we get close to our limit, we will be able to add more. If we don't spend it all, we get a refund (how awesome would that be? Getting money BACK at the end of your trip). N-E-Ways, this is how we are doing it.

Hope I helped :)
Will your refund be in Travelers Cheques or cash? I can't see HAL issuing new travellers cheques to you, and presumably you bought TC's to avoid carrying cash around.

Consider giving them five days worth and see how your spending goes. Then you can top up your account as necessary.

Personally we have never spent more than about $50 day between the two of us. Far less if you prepay shore excursions.

Have a good time.

Bodger

[FoxyTerrier]

On my Zuiderdam Alaska July 8-15 cruise I paid my shipboard account in cash. I only put down $50 cash when I boarded and paid the remainder on the last day (morning we got off). If you put down cash at the beginning and don't use it all, you won't get the remainder of the cash back until the morning that you disembark. They will not give it to you any sooner. It was a pain, as we had to stand in line at 6:00 a.m. for a miesly $7.14 to be returned to us.

What about your tips? I'm guessing you had them removed because that would have been $70pp.

I'm sorry, but I don't see the problem with using a credit card unless you don't have one. It all works out in the end. There is no way I would be standing in line at 6am morning for anything if I didn't have to.

[RevNeal]

I'm sorry, but I don't see the problem with using a credit card unless you don't have one. It all works out in the end. There is no way I would be standing in line at 6am morning for anything if I didn't have to.

Firstly, I have several credit cards, but in my past I have a history of having been irresponsible with my credit. It has taken me a LONG time to get those balances paid off, etc., and I simply REFUSE To allow temptation to get me back into that kind of situation again. Hence, I CONTROL my expenses by limiting them in this manner.

Secondly, due to my history while I have several credit cards, NONE of them has sufficient credit limits (or sufficient per-day charging limits) to pass the "pre-authorization test" for a "longish" cruise. For example, to protect myself none of my cards allow more than $1000 per day to be charged to them. $60 pp/pd x 21 days = $1260. In short: I can't pass the pre-authorization for a lengthy cruise. Hence, I have to make other arrangements.

Thirdly, I make a point of going to the front desk BEFORE they start calling people -- often as early as 5:30 am. I've never had to stand in a line longer than 5 minutes. Indeed ... often, not even that. On the Noordam this March I walked right up to the desk and finalized my account with them ... there was no line. Of course, it helped that I went to the desk after watching our approach to the pier.

[DFD1]

revneal: Good answer. Nothing works better than the truth!

[AlohaPride]

Will your refund be in Travelers Cheques or cash? I can't see HAL issuing new travellers cheques to you, and presumably you bought TC's to avoid carrying cash around.

Consider giving them five days worth and see how your spending goes. Then you can top up your account as necessary.

Personally we have never spent more than about $50 day between the two of us. Far less if you prepay shore excursions.

Have a good time.

Bodger

Yep, that amount I have posted is $50 to spend per day + 10 per day for the auto tip. That's $60 pp/day. I do not think we will be getting THAT much in a refund (if any). We both would like to have masages and I would like to have my hair done for at least one formal night. We might also indulge in the hydro pool...even though I don't really know what it is. There is a LOT of spending one can do with 4 sea days :D Not to mention $25 for a bag of laundry. :eek:

[AlohaPride]

:D :DBoth!!!!!:D :D




Alrighty! :D

[aaerobear]

I am not sure just how to say this. When we were on the Maassam in April (post drydock) I used my debit card. I was curious as to what kind of hold they put on it, so I checked my account every day for the entire cruise (16 days)

NOT once was there EVER a hold or charge to my debit card until the cruise was over.

I always have way more than enough in my account to cover things like that, but nothing was charged until it was all over.

I asked a friend that is an officer of my bank and he said what "usually" happens is that they run an approval of a certain amount (the infamous $60.00 a day) and if it goes through, then you are set to go. this is not a hold or a charge YET, which is why, he said, that people sometimes get confused. I guess I believe that, but would not hold my breath as, sure as "She" made little green apples, the next time it will be different.

Happy Sailing, charging, drinking, shopping,body pounding, cutting and shining

Ed

[AlohaPride]

Happy Sailing, charging, drinking, shopping,body pounding, cutting and shining

Ed

ROTFLMHO! That's funny!

The debit card idea is good. I would actually like to know more information about that system :D

[cruisequeen10]

My shipboard account consisted of the following:

$70 tips
$19.95 embarkation picture
$20.00 bingo

Total $109.95 for the 7 night cruise.

I put $50 cash down and paid the balance on the last day.

[thomasale]

2 things that always surprise me here 1.) the number lf times laundry comes up. We just bring home the dirties and do them at home as part of our "back to earth" routine. 2.) the number of people who take pride in how little they spend while cruising. My Grandfather used to say "You know what a dollar in the bank is like????Not having a DOLLAR" Believe it or not a Scotsman and was well off due to his own efforts...but could he SPEND.

I guess I got it from him...Thanks Grandpa :)

[DFD1]

I suppose there are lots of reasons some cruise passengers don't spend as much as others, but for me it's simply that "I've been there and done that".

Over the years, I've proweled through hundreds of on-board gift shops and seen dozens of art auctons....Just don't need it anymore.

Perfectly happy to have a drink and good dinner each night, enjoy the cruise and not have to worry about carrying all that stuff home when it's over.

Perhaps this is overly simplistic, but it works for me.

[the2ofus]

Mary, a debit card can be a good idea as it takes the money directly out of your bank account when you make the purchase, just like using a check but the money goes out right now. It is usually accepted just like a credit card while many places will not accept personal checks.

It can be a very bad idea if you are not a person who enters charges into your bank book immediately. Suddenly, your bank account balance is less than you thought because you lost that little debit charge slip from last Monday.

The other very bad situation with a debit card is that if it is stolen and someone else uses it, they can clean out your bank account before you even know it's missing. With most credit cards there's a limit on your responsibility for charges on a stolen card.

Best scenario is to have a credit card, keep the limit reasonably low and pay it off each month.

[AlohaPride]

Mary, a debit card can be a good idea as it takes the money directly out of your bank account when you make the purchase, just like using a check but the money goes out right now. It is usually accepted just like a credit card while many places will not accept personal checks.

It can be a very bad idea if you are not a person who enters charges into your bank book immediately. Suddenly, your bank account balance is less than you thought because you lost that little debit charge slip from last Monday.

The other very bad situation with a debit card is that if it is stolen and someone else uses it, they can clean out your bank account before you even know it's missing. With most credit cards there's a limit on your responsibility for charges on a stolen card.

Best scenario is to have a credit card, keep the limit reasonably low and pay it off each month.

I agree about the credit card. Too bad my DH is anti-credit card...and I'll leave it at that. We do have a debit card, but I guess the reason I don't want to use it is because of those mysterious charges that seem to make their way onto people's credit cards. I don't want this happening on my debit card down the road.

[RevNeal]

I am not sure just how to say this. When we were on the Maassam in April (post drydock) I used my debit card. I was curious as to what kind of hold they put on it, so I checked my account every day for the entire cruise (16 days)

NOT once was there EVER a hold or charge to my debit card until the cruise was over.

I always have way more than enough in my account to cover things like that, but nothing was charged until it was all over.

I asked a friend that is an officer of my bank and he said what "usually" happens is that they run an approval of a certain amount (the infamous $60.00 a day) and if it goes through, then you are set to go. this is not a hold or a charge YET, which is why, he said, that people sometimes get confused. I guess I believe that, but would not hold my breath as, sure as "She" made little green apples, the next time it will be different.

Happy Sailing, charging, drinking, shopping,body pounding, cutting and shining

Dear Ed,

Thanks for the input. IF HAL would be consistent from Purser to Purser and ship to ship, and I could count on them not putting multiple holds on my checking account under the mistaken assumption that the earlier holds had "lapsed," I would be happy to do it that way. I don't at all doubt that such was your experience on the Maasdam. It simply wasn't what happened to me 4 and 3 years ago. Perhaps HAL has changed its policy?

[hammybee]

I am one of those people who uses a credit card for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING, including a Kids's Meal at Mc Donalds. I have found it helpful to track where the money has gone and I like the points. It only works if you can pay the bill in its entirety, else risk that that Happy Meal could, one day, cost you $89 in interest.

Now if you hand me $100 in cash- I have no idea where it goes and it goes fast.

[FoxyTerrier]

I am one of those people who uses a credit card for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING, including a Kids's Meal at Mc Donalds. I have found it helpful to track where the money has gone and I like the points. It only works if you can pay the bill in its entirety, else risk that that Happy Meal could, one day, cost you $89 in interest.

Now if you hand me $100 in cash- I have no idea where it goes and it goes fast.

I too am one that uses a credit card for EVERYTHING and ANYTHING. There are so many times when it comes in handy. Goods or services that are not perfomed correctly - when you can't get satisfaction with a company a simple call to the CC company and a hold is placed on the charge until the dispute is handled. Many cards offer rebates or miles that you get a nice perk by charging, but as Hammybee pointed out you MUST pay off the in it's entirety and on time.

Before going to Europe this year I signed up for a Capital One card only because they do NOT charge the extra 3-5% charge fee for european purchases.

Before I started using my CC for EVERYTHING I would make mulitple trips to the ATM in a month and had no idea what I was spending my money on - for me the CCs have made me a much more careful spender as I just REFUSE to pay interest charges. When I whip the card are I think do I really need this - often times it is no and put the item back. I also find that if you need to return something it is so much easier.

I will also have to say we live pretty frugally, but very well. I would never think of buying several $3 cups of coffee a day, I usually pack a brown bag lunch, we rarely eat out but experiment with lots of new recipes. I have no problem driving my 8 year old Lexus - it still looks brand new and was bought used at 3 years old. My first Lexus had 200K miles when I bought the "new used" one.

I can thank my parents for teaching me how to deal with money - basically if you can't afford it don't buy it!!!

[aaerobear]

Rev,

I know what you are saying and I am sure it has to do with different ships different personel, but, like I said I have been lucky on all my trips, Princess/Royal Carib/NCL/Celebrity/and HAL.

Ed

[cruisinbulldog]

So if I understand everything that is said, if you board the ship the first day and say deposit $2000.00 cash in your account you can not draw cash at any time thru the cruise?
Its not like a bank account..

[serendipity1499]

We have two Credit Cards & use one only to pay for all our daily purchases, medical, cruises & cruise expenses etc.. The FULL amount is auto deducted from our checking account each month..We get 1% back on our total purchases (3%-for gas) ..On our last 25 day cruise our HAL our account came to $976..That's $39.00 a day for two of us..I can see where HAL would really not like cruisers like us, as we spend so little..Of course we pre-pay our HAL shore excursions, but even those are few & far between...We usually take private cabs & pay cash especially in ports we've been to many times...On our last trip, all of the shops with one exception put our Credit card bill through in US Dollars...The one exception quoted shoppers $12.00 USD in cash for a doll & the same one went through on my Charge Card in Braz. Reals adjusted to $11.78..

The other Credit Card is only used for auto payments of monthly services, & the full amount on that one is also auto deducted from our checking account..Most of our bills are auto deducted..

I rarely write a check but we do take one or two checks plus both Credit Cards with us on our cruises..One is kept in the safe, just in case the other one is lost or stolen..We carry very little cash & never pay interest on anything including our house..DH insisted we pay cash & not have a mortgage for our retirement home..

Credit Card Companies don't like us either, because we pay everything off each month..;) Wondering how long it will take before the Credit Card Companies wise up to those who pay off our bills in their entirety & try to sock a "Use Fee" on us?:( Oh well, then we'll all have to start carrying cash & travelers checks again!

[FoxyTerrier]

Credit Card Companies don't like us either, because we pay everything off each month..;) Wondering how long it will take before the Credit Card Companies wise up to those who pay off our bills in their entirety & try to sock a "Use Fee" on us?:( Oh well, then we'll all have to start carrying cash & travelers checks again!

The CC companies are still making money off your purchases. They get (I think) 2-5% from the business where you charge. That is why some businesses will give you a small percentage discount if you pay in cash.

[richwmn]

The CC companies are still making money off your purchases. They get (I think) 2-5% from the business where you charge. That is why some businesses will give you a small percentage discount if you pay in cash. To expand on that just a little -- the smaller the business, the larger the percentage they pay. It is based on average card purchase and total card usage. Also, for small businesses there is a swipe fee (an amount just for using the card regardless of amount). The small business I work at doesn't take cards. When we have checked into it, we found it would take about an $8.00 purchase to cover all the card fees.

Rich

[boards]

Why do most stores accept them then, when they lose so much? I guess if they didn't it would be lost sale entirely, though. Seems like a high cost to operate, but I'm glad they do accept makes it easier for DW to shop. (Quiet I think she coming in the room)

[cruisinbulldog]

So if I understand everything that is said, if you board the ship the first day and say deposit $2000.00 cash in your account you can not draw cash at any time thru the cruise?
Its not like a bank account..

Anybody?

[AlohaPride]

So if I understand everything that is said, if you board the ship the first day and say deposit $2000.00 cash in your account you can not draw cash at any time thru the cruise?
Its not like a bank account..

Hmm...what would you need to take cash out for? Are you talking about taking money out of your on board credit in order to pay for things on land tours and such?

Good question.

[cruisinbulldog]

Just saying instead of keeping cash on hand or in safe, put it on account and draw on it when needed.. such as when you go onto a island for spending money instead a credit card..

[Navy_Chief]

Generally, we keep some cash available (Euros while on a Med Cruise) to either use ashore or (U.S. Dollars) for other activities like the casino or my wife's bingo habbit :). We try to set up and pay for shore tours ahead of time. We still have the Credit Card for shore purchases as well. The Ship Board Account is just used for everything else on the ship (Bar/Sodas, Wife's Salon visits, shopping at Ship's Stores, ect)

[sunflowerstarr]

To expand on that just a little -- the smaller the business, the larger the percentage they pay. It is based on average card purchase and total card usage. Also, for small businesses there is a swipe fee (an amount just for using the card regardless of amount). The small business I work at doesn't take cards. When we have checked into it, we found it would take about an $8.00 purchase to cover all the card fees.

Rich

ive seen some businesses offset the chance of not bein able to cover those fees by posting signs that say any purchases made via credit card must be a certain amount or more. the smallest ive seen is $5. if its under they simply wont accept a credit card.

[happy cruzer]

Ok. No one mentioned the 3% fee to get your extra cash back once you have deposited it. At least that is what is being reported over on the casino charge thread.

The information there is if you get cash from the casino or your onboard account HAL chages 3% whether the account is secured with your own cash or your own credit card. So I would be careful and never depoist more in that account than you are going to use. I think I will secure my onboard account with a credit card and bring traveler's checks for all else.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[dakrewser]

Ok. No one mentioned the 3% fee to get your extra cash back once you have deposited it. At least that is what is being reported over on the casino charge thread.

The information there is if you get cash from the casino or your onboard account HAL chages 3% whether the account is secured with your own cash or your own credit card. So I would be careful and never depoist more in that account than you are going to use. I think I will secure my onboard account with a credit card and bring traveler's checks for all else.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

You're wrong.

Any overpayment on your account is returned to you - no charge - at the end of the cruise. The 3% fee is for getting cash in the casino.

Of course, any money you give the front desk as deposit is held until you disembark - they aren't a bank holding your money for you.

[happy cruzer]

ok. I see - if you have cash deposited the only way to get it if you need it during the cruise is to go to the casino and withdraw and pay the 3%; you can't go to the purser and make a draw.

But at the end of the cruise, the front desk/purser would give you your positive balance without a fee.

got it.

[Chivalrygirl]

We always pay in cash because we have had to buy USD before leaving home, or some other currency depending where we are crusing. That way we have a little bit of control over currency fluctuations. We pretty well square up our account towards the late afternoon on the day before disembarkation and just let them charge our credit card for the few more dollars we will have owing from the last night.
Its pretty simple really.

[AAAAmerican]

ive seen some businesses offset the chance of not bein able to cover those fees by posting signs that say any purchases made via credit card must be a certain amount or more. the smallest ive seen is $5. if its under they simply wont accept a credit card.

*Yikes*

The stores/vednors can not have a minumum amount for credit card charges.

Case law ruled on that issue. When you see merchants that have such signage or policy so called Report them to the Credit Card Comapnies as there lawyers are on a good retainer and will handle that abuse of services ....:cool:

Yes even charging One Lincoln Copper Plated Penny they have to.

Otherwise they will be not allowed to use the C Cards services and loose many customers... In the USA even TOLL FREE Lines are expected now.. do you remember the days of the WATTS Lines?

Questions on this can be answered by our FTC (Federal Trade Commission) http://www.ftc.gov in Washington, D.C.
:D :D

[noblepa]

*Yikes*

The stores/vednors can not have a minumum amount for credit card charges.

Case law ruled on that issue. When you see merchants that have such signage or policy so called Report them to the Credit Card Comapnies as there lawyers are on a good retainer and will handle that abuse of services ....:cool:

Yes even charging One Lincoln Copper Plated Penny they have to.

Otherwise they will be not allowed to use the C Cards services and loose many customers... In the USA even TOLL FREE Lines are expected now.. do you remember the days of the WATTS Lines?

Questions on this can be answered by our FTC (Federal Trade Commission) http://www.ftc.gov in Washington, D.C.
:D :D

Its true that the credit card merchant agreements prohibit the vendor from setting a minimum purchase amount. Its also true that many small vendors do it routinely. I reported a vendor once. AFAIK, the cc company did nothing about it. I suspect that the cc companies aren't particularly interested in enforcing that rule. I can also see the vendors point. They pay something like $0.30 plus 3-5% of the purchase amount. On very small purchases, of a dollar or two, that can seriously erode their profit.

You won't get anywhere arguing with a merchant and pointing out that they are violating their agreement with the cc company.

Paul Noble

[AAAAmerican]

Its true that the credit card merchant agreements prohibit the vendor from setting a minimum purchase amount. Its also true that many small vendors do it routinely. I reported a vendor once. AFAIK, the cc company did nothing about it. I suspect that the cc companies aren't particularly interested in enforcing that rule. I can also see the vendors point. They pay something like $0.30 plus 3-5% of the purchase amount. On very small purchases, of a dollar or two, that can seriously erode their profit.

You won't get anywhere arguing with a merchant and pointing out that they are violating their agreement with the cc company.

Paul Noble


Sorry I do have to disgree. If they take your money by using the charge services they have to abide by the agreements. Dont we? Yes charging lower amounts as in a George Washington in a Filling Station... believe me if you saw the profit margins on some of them you would .. well smile...

In NJ here we are very consumer friendly as past administrations voted in when NJ did have good elected officials in office .. Contacting your County or Parish Consumer Affairs will move the Vendor immediately. They are not allowed to accept charges and then not abide by its policies and procedures, which to have... has to be accepted by the merchant.

If they do not take charge cards we go to a better place that does take them. You have the float of the money till your bills are due too.

[noblepa]

Of course, the vendor SHOULD abide by their agreement. We are in complete agreement about that.

Nevertheless, we all see the signs in small businesses all the time, setting a minimum purchase amount.

My point was just that, while there is no wiggle room in the agreement for the vendor, they routinely do it and the credit card companies, in my experience, are not terribly concerned about stopping the practice.

My other point was that, if you try to explain this to the minimum wage flunky working at most small businesses, at best, you will get a blank stare. They will simply not understand what you are talking about. Besides, if they disobey the boss/owner, who is probably not there at the time, the kid will get fired. He's just doing what he has been told. And he almost certainly will not accept the below-minimum charge.

If the NJ consumer protection types are willing to take this on, more power to them. In most places, they have bigger fish to fry. After all, a merchant violating his/her merchange agreement by setting a minimum is not ripping anyone off. In fact, he may be turning away business.

Is it wrong? Of course. Do they do it? Of course. Will they continue to do it? Of course. Are the cc companies doing much about it? Absolutely not.

The problem is, its not against the law. It is a civil matter of breach of contract between the merchant and the bank.

Paul Noble