lovelyr Posted May 29, 2014 #1 Share Posted May 29, 2014 We are doing a 5 city tour with TJ travel. We can pay with "crisp dollars" or use a visa or mastercard. The tour operator said the price would depend on what the ruble was worth. I'm wondering if we should just go with the cash or use the credit card for payment. What has been your experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkleBee Posted May 29, 2014 #2 Share Posted May 29, 2014 that sounds weird. they should just quote you the price in one currency or the other. I think most people are quoted in dollars and pay in dollars. I used SPB and paid by credit card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovelyr Posted May 29, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted May 29, 2014 they gave us a price for the tours in dollars, but I'm wondering if we are better off paying with the credit card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Breezer Posted May 30, 2014 #4 Share Posted May 30, 2014 that sounds weird. they should just quote you the price in one currency or the other. I think most people are quoted in dollars and pay in dollars. I used SPB and paid by credit card. And did your charge for SPB stay in USD or was there any conversion when you got your bill? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkleBee Posted May 30, 2014 #5 Share Posted May 30, 2014 it was 58 cents more than what I expected : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kobecat Posted June 2, 2014 #6 Share Posted June 2, 2014 TJ charged our credit card in $ last year. No problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye 6 Posted June 14, 2014 #7 Share Posted June 14, 2014 We paid in US dollars in May. Our credit card company had warned us that due to sanctions by US government on some Russia banks our credit card might not work in Russia. The tour was great. Have a great time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giantfan13 Posted June 14, 2014 #8 Share Posted June 14, 2014 When we went, several years ago, there was an extra charge for using a CC (or a discount for paying cash, whichever way you want to view it). We went with the cash part to save a few bucks. If there is really no difference in the price, cash vs credit card, then why bother traveling with all that cash?. If your company charges the same, then I would suggest you use your CC and earn a few 'points' in the process. Cheers Len Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alolewis Posted June 14, 2014 #9 Share Posted June 14, 2014 We paid in cash but the owner indicated she actually preferred credit cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alolewis Posted June 14, 2014 #10 Share Posted June 14, 2014 We paid in US dollars in May. Our credit card company had warned us that due to sanctions by US government on some Russia banks our credit card might not work in Russia. The tour was great. Have a great time We used our VISA ATM card with a chip in the gift shop, no problems. This was in May of this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ISLABONITA Posted June 14, 2014 #11 Share Posted June 14, 2014 In my experience I pay everything if possible with a credit card when I travel. I use Barclays World Arrival which gives you cash back. Check your credit card for foreign exchange fees. I use several of my cc for their many paybacks be it miles, points or cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovelyr Posted June 14, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted June 14, 2014 Thanks for info. Did you do any other ports with TJ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pet Nit Noy Posted June 15, 2014 #13 Share Posted June 15, 2014 We are doing a 5 city tour with TJ travel. We can pay with "crisp dollars" or use a visa or mastercard. The tour operator said the price would depend on what the ruble was worth. I'm wondering if we should just go with the cash or use the credit card for payment.What has been your experience? Tour providers asking for crisp dollars really mean that. Russian banks will accept new or almost-new dollars as currency. However, wear to the bills that to our American eyes would be considered minimal, renders the bill useless (e.g. a slight tear along one edge). Before our trip, we went to our local bank and got a small number of new one dollar bills to use for tips in Russia, but we paid for everything via credit card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted June 15, 2014 #14 Share Posted June 15, 2014 I only booked TJ Travel for St Petersburg and paid in cash which gave me a discount...Very easy to do with fairly new crisp US $100.00 bills...Just an FYI some tent vendors took our US'$ for small purchases and used our Capitol One credit card for larger purchases in gift shops...Our wonderful private guide (as it was just my DH and myself) paid any where Rubles were required so we didn't have to bother with a money exchange...TJ Travel was AMAZING !!! Thanks Tatyana :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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