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Topic: Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or traveling (Read 1 time) previous topic - next topic
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Re: Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or travelin
Reply #25 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135446
Las Vegas Bay Campground in Lake Mead NRA only takes cash...I assume the other campgrounds in Lake Mead NRA are the same way, but we've never been to any of them to check it out.  It can be a PITA and I wished they'd take at least a check.  Or, better yet, have a self-service credit card set up like Mesquite Springs Campground in Death Valley NP.

Linda Hylton http://earl-linda.blogspot.com
Linda Hylton
Re: Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or travelin
Reply #26 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135449
"They are run by different concessionaire! And both of these camps are Federal facilities within a short distance of one another."

Steve S.
 Concessionaire run campgrounds are no longer truly Federal Camps, yes, own by the Feds but operated under new rules, many of them set by the concessionaire.
For example we camped last summer at Twin Lakes, outside of Bridgeport, at a campground we have been going to for years. This year, the water faucets were signed "No RV filling". If you need to fill your tanks, the concessionaire has a pump-out and fresh water service, $30 to dump, $20 to fill and $40 for both..such a deal.
When I stopped and asked a ranger, he told me the concessionaires have a lot a latitude in what their policies are. This is an unfortunate result of what you get when parks and camp are converted from non-profit into profit making facilities.
 FYI, if camping in the Twin Lakes area, Mono Village Resort, at the top of the Twin Lakes road, charges $12 to dump and fill.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or travelin
Reply #27 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135454
My wife and I stopped carrying travelers checks 20 years ago. With an ATM and credit cards, we have traveled around the US, Canada and much of Europe.
I have never felt a need to carry more than a couple hundred in cash.
Today's electronic financial system make travel much easier.
Now if you contemplating a lot of 3rd world travel, your approach may have to be different.
 We do make sure the cards that both of us carry have separate account numbers. Several years ago my wife's purse was stolen, including her credit and ATM card. Her cards numbers were the same as mine and once we finished canceling her cards, we were left without a viable card and cut off from our funds. Having separate account numbers has now eliminated this problem. We do use American Express and they will get you a new card very quickly, if needed.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or travelin
Reply #28 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135455
Quote
"Concessionaire run campgrounds are no longer truly Federal Camps, yes, own by the Feds but operated under new rules, many of them set by the concessionaire...For example we camped last summer at Twin Lakes, outside of Bridgeport, at a campground we have been going to for years."
Larry

Larry
 And here's a further example... Just a few miles south of Bridgeport is June Lake Loop. I stay often at 'Oh Ridge', a Forest Service camp. There they have FREE water spiggots on every loop and the dump station at the entrance is FREE to registered campers. Incidentally this facility is under the same concessionaire as the previously mentioned one on the west side that still allows personal checks.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or travelin
Reply #29 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135457
On Nov 29, 2012, at 9:33 AM, Larry wrote:

Quote
We do make sure the cards that both of us carry have separate account numbers. Several years ago my wife's purse was stolen, including her credit and ATM card. Her cards numbers were the same as mine and once we finished canceling her cards, we were left without a viable card and cut off from our funds. Having separate account numbers has now eliminated this problem. We do use American Express and they will get you a new card very quickly, if needed.
Amen to that!  When my wife and I travel we each carry a Visa (separate accounts), American Express (Costco), and two debit cards.  The debit cards are from two different Credit Unions.  If one of us loses our cards, we still have access to our accounts.  On a recent trip my American Express card was compromised, and Amex was quick to send an e-mail to that effect.  I called them on a Saturday and got all the fraudulent charges removed, my card cancelled, and a new card issued.  The new card was in my hands the following Tuesday.
 Interestingly, even though our Amex cards are on the same account, my wife's card was still good, even though mine had been compromised.

--Al in Scappoose --2002 26.5 MB
Re: Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or travelin
Reply #30 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135458
We, too, have American Express cards for Costco.  Mine Amex number and Earl's Amex number are different...I'm sure it's the same for your and your wife's Amex cards, which would explain why her card was still good.

Linda Hylton http://earl-linda.blogspot.com
Linda Hylton
Re: Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or travelin
Reply #31 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135612
In case you anti-debit card folks think I wasn't listening to your advice, I really was.  The reason I liked debit cards is because I hate signing those card machines.  Being left handed, it's often a hassle, expecially when they are backed up to a shelf on the left side.
 So, I thought I would try to replace the debit card with a credit card issued by the same bank.  With most places taking a credit card without signing under a certain amount, it's now even easier to use a credit card.  No signing.  No pin number.  Since stopping use of the debit card I have only found one instance where a debit card was the only type of card acceptable.  So I am a convert, and I owe it to you folks pushing me in that direction.  Thanks.

Dick

Quote
 
 "Every financial expert I've read has advised not using debit cards for purchases."

Tiny exception: if I'm far from a free ATM and I need cash, I'll use a debit card and get cash back.  Typically I can get up to $100 back, with no fee.

Howard
Re: Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or travelin
Reply #32 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135613
Hey, Dick!
 I totally get what you mean about those card machines being hard for LEFTIES to sign.  I too find it a hassle.  I complained to the folks at my Walgreen's pharmacy about the problem and they told their corporate office.
Corporate put in new machines in our pharmacy and figured it was a good complaint.  LOL.  Now everyone is happy as their machine swivels so a person, leftie or not, can sign the machine without offense.

Donna 1997 RB Lazy Daizy of Vaughn, WA

: ) Happy Travels!
 
Gift Cards from American Express for use while RVing or travelin
Reply #33 –
Yahoo Message Number: 135326
Hope all is well this Thanksgiving Day. Not only to LD ers but to want-a-be's, and future LD er's.

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