I have no such problems here in Spain; most of the petrol stations where I fill
up take Amex, as do many of the supermarkets where I shop.
Cheers,
Nathan
Nathan Wajsman
Alicante, Spain
http://www.frozenlight.eu
http://www.greatpix.eu
PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws
Blog: http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/
Cycling: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/belgiangator
YNWA
On 24 Jan 2015, at 21:09, John Hudson <OM4T@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> My wife has a Canadian AMEX card with airmiles. As times goes by more and
> more vendors either refuse AMEX cards or request that one uses MasterCard,
> Visa or Interac. Even Costco in Canada has ditched AMEX in favour of Capital
> One's MasterCard. This is not at all surprising given the ~5% to 7%
> commission rates levied by AMEX which, ultimately, will be paid by customers
> through higher prices.
>
> jh
>
>
>
>
> On 1/24/2015 3:37 PM, Tina Manley wrote:
>> Tom has had a platinum America Express card for about 40 years. It pays
>> for itself easily in all of the perks and extras that you get with the
>> platinum card. He had a chance when he was working for a big company to
>> get a lifetime platinum card and kicks himself all the time that he didn't
>> do it. We aren't able to use it for the rental car in Cuba but we have
>> used it and it's insurance everywhere else in the world.
>>
>> Tina
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2015 at 2:13 PM, Nathan Wajsman <photo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> This is somewhat relevant to me, because last weekend, I was in Barcelona
>>> with my visiting friend from Denmark; we used his rental car. During the
>>> day on Sunday, someone broke into the car and stole my backpack containing
>>> my laptop and iPad. My homeowners insurance only covers such losses up to
>>> 200 Euro, so that’s what I got. This made me look at other potential
>>> coverages I might have, e.g. through American Express, but that only kicks
>>> in if you are travelling by air or other public transport for which you
>>> paid with the card; and theft is anyway only covered if you have a Gold or
>>> Platinum card, and I have just the working-class Green one.
>>>
>>> I think if you travel by car, whether rented or your own, you are out of
>>> luck most of the time. However, the company that over the years has given
>>> me the best service in general is indeed Amex. So you may want to look at
>>> their insurance options and upgrade to one of the fancier cards—the
>>> increased membership fee may well be cheaper than special insurance,
>>> especially if you travel a lot.
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Nathan
>>>
>>>
>>> Nathan Wajsman
>>>
>>> Alicante, Spain
>>> http://www.frozenlight.eu
>>> http://www.greatpix.eu
>>> PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws
>>> Blog: http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/
>>>
>>> Cycling: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/belgiangator
>>>
>>> YNWA
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 24 Jan 2015, at 18:50, Bob Whitmire <bwhitmire@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I believe they call this crowd sourcing. But, because this is a
>>> knowledgeable and well-traveled crowd, it seems appropriate.
>>>> We are in the market for some travel insurance for an upcoming trip to
>>> the UK. The last time we went, I bought Allianz, because that’s what was
>>> offered as I purchased tickets. It has come to my attention that Allianz
>>> seems to have contracts with all major carriers to provide travel
>>> insurance. We have not yet needed it, so I have no way of assessing the
>>> efficacy of the company or its products.
>>>> A bump in the road. Tonight, we have tickets for a concert at the civic
>>> center in Portland, Maine. It’s a 65 mile journey, some very rural roads,
>>> some larger two-lane roads, including US 1, and some four-lane roads,
>>> including US 1 and Interstate 295. Currently, we are in the early hours of
>>> an official Maine winter Northeaster. It’s passing offshore far enough that
>>> the bulk of the snow is supposed to fall along the coast. The forecast is
>>> for 6-10 inches. It’s a fast-moving storm, so if it doesn’t stall we’ll be
>>> spared the worst of it. (They have been known to stall in the past and dump
>>> two feet instead of two inches.
>>>> So, Joan and I have decided not to go to the concert. It’s not that we
>>> _couldn’t_ make it; we’ve traveled through worse. It’s that all things
>>> considered, it’s better not to try to make it through sloppy, wet snow. The
>>> roads get positively bitchy in this stuff. Really dry stuff, no problem.
>>> Mix in the sleet and the freezing rain and blah!
>>>> I bought “event” insurance specifically for this reason. The company?
>>> Yep. Allianz. My bad for not reading the fine print during the couple of
>>> days during which I could have canceled. Called them yesterday to inquire
>>> whether inclement weather, that is, a northeaster blowing up the coast, was
>>> sufficient grounds for invoking the insurance. I was informed that were we
>>> flying to the concert and our flight was cancelled, we would be covered. If
>>> we were traveling by bus or train and service was interrupted, we would be
>>> covered. If our car broke downand we could show a towing or repair ticket,
>>> we would be covered. We are not covered, however, for simply deciding to be
>>> sensible.
>>>> Because I am petty and spiteful, I shall not buy from Allianz again. At
>>> least not if I can help it. I’m also unlikely to buy concert tickets in the
>>> winter, at least until there’s regular air service between Round Pond and
>>> Portland.
>>>> Surely there are reputable companies (is that an oxymoron?) out there
>>> with whom it is possible to strike a fair deal. We’ll want cancellation,
>>> interruption, baggage, and some level of medical insurance. The usual
>>> stuff. On previous trips, we haven’t needed the medical because our private
>>> insurance covered us. This time we have no such coverage. If I get sick
>>> from a service-related and documented affliction, VA will pay, but it will
>>> not pay just because I am rated for full medical coverage. I know NHS will
>>> take care of us in an emergency, but as soon as the emergency dials back to
>>> regular care, they stop picking up the tab. It’s not that I think something
>>> is going—or even likely—to happen, but, in fact, stuff happens. Planes
>>> don’t fly. Connections are missed. Baggage is lost. Idiots behind wheels
>>> are not strictly a New England phenomenon.
>>>> Advice based on experience would be greatly appreciated. Yes, this time
>>> I will carefully read the fine print with my lawyer eyes. (I am not a
>>> lawyer, but the branches of my family tree hang heavy with the weight of
>>> lawyers, so I know a little about how they think. <g>)
>>>> --Bob Whitmire
>>>> Certified Neanderthal
>>>>
>>>> --
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>
>
> --
> _________________________________________________________________
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> Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
>
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