ElvisB Posted July 30, 2019 #1 Share Posted July 30, 2019 We're taking an Alla tour, in St. Petersburg. We've been told that payment is by credit card or rubles. We're not comfortable giving a Russian company our credit card number. Maybe we're being paranoid but it seems safer to pay in rubles. I'd like to know how other people are paying for their St. Petersburg tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LHT28 Posted July 30, 2019 #2 Share Posted July 30, 2019 ask if they take USD some used to take USD some people will pay with cash in USD GBP or Euro you can get Rubles outside of Russia check for financial location in your area Or you will need to hit an ATM there or use your CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SantaFeFan Posted July 30, 2019 #3 Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) We used Anastasia for the two days when we did St. Petersburg a few years ago. They wanted US bills, either new or in good shape. We paid the owner directly on the morning of the 2nd day before we started touring. Things may have changed since then, however, but that is how we handled payment. Edited July 30, 2019 by SantaFeFan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Do-Over Posted July 30, 2019 #4 Share Posted July 30, 2019 Purchase a pre-paid Visa/Mastercard 'gift card' and use it to pay for the reservation. You'll have receipts, proof of prepayment, and not have to convert or carry a lot of cash the day of the tour. On our bus (12 pax) tips were offered in both US dollars and rubles... the guide accepted both with gracious thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klfrodo Posted July 30, 2019 #5 Share Posted July 30, 2019 (edited) Not sure I understand why Alla Tours in St. Petersburg is unsafe but Amazon with your Capital One card (while being monitored by Equifax) is considered safer. I'm thinking there is some level of unwarranted paranoia going on. Edited July 30, 2019 by klfrodo 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie H Posted July 30, 2019 #6 Share Posted July 30, 2019 We toured with Alla a couple of years ago and paid by credit card. No problems have come up with our card since then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare John Bull Posted July 30, 2019 #7 Share Posted July 30, 2019 41 minutes ago, klfrodo said: Not sure I understand why Alla Tours in St. Petersburg is unsafe but Amazon with your Capital One card (while being monitored by Equifax) is considered safer. I'm thinking there is some level of unwarranted paranoia going on. Understandable. But unwarranted. No worries JB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted July 30, 2019 #8 Share Posted July 30, 2019 We toured with TJ Travel and had the option of US $ good condition payable on our 2nd tour day. I believe if we had used a credit card there would have been an additional fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted July 31, 2019 #9 Share Posted July 31, 2019 Alla has been around for years. We have done several tours w them and prepaid w a credit card. I would not worry. DON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted July 31, 2019 #10 Share Posted July 31, 2019 We toured with Alla in St. Petersberg last year and paid with US$. no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi13 Posted July 31, 2019 #11 Share Posted July 31, 2019 Very briefly had similar thoughts regarding using Visa in Russia, but after chatting with Alla reps quickly realised they are a quality company and future business is based on positive feedback. We took a tour with Alla the day before SPB in Tallinn and did not have to pay before or during the tour. We paid for both tours while on the bus, at the end of day 1. Our Alla tour was exceptional and we have had no issues resulting in paying by credit card. Everyone on our bus used a credit card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted July 31, 2019 #12 Share Posted July 31, 2019 23 hours ago, Sue Do-Over said: Purchase a pre-paid Visa/Mastercard 'gift card' and use it to pay for the reservation. You'll have receipts, proof of prepayment, and not have to convert or carry a lot of cash the day of the tour. On our bus (12 pax) tips were offered in both US dollars and rubles... the guide accepted both with gracious thanks. Those are often not valid outside the US. It's not a chance I would take. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flowslow Posted August 1, 2019 #13 Share Posted August 1, 2019 We toured with Anastasia Travel and paid with our credit card through their website. It was very convenient and secure, we did not experience any problems. If you are not too comfortable using your credit card they might accept your payment on the day of the tour. Better contact them and ask if that is possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogs4fun Posted August 1, 2019 #14 Share Posted August 1, 2019 We use our credit cards in Russia and have never had a problem - no problem with Alla Tours and no problem with any purchases in Russia. You can also pay for your tour in rubles, cash but that would require converting USD to rubles and there is always an associated charge. We frequently travel in Europe, including Russia. The only time that our credit cards have been compromised occurred within in the USA. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michalina Posted August 1, 2019 #15 Share Posted August 1, 2019 I used Alla Tours last year and I offered them Canadian dollars and they abruptly refused, so I used my credit card with no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducklite Posted August 1, 2019 #16 Share Posted August 1, 2019 The wisest approach is to verify with your tour provider who they need to be paid in advance. I'd never make the assumption that they want a foreign currency (even Euros or US currency), credit card, or pot of gold. Each will be different and you'll want to be prepared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now