Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.7

[UKANGEL]

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Still reading the boards back from 103. Next Friday I leave for vacation in Utah (we like summer skiing) and I would like everyone to take a vacation at the same time so I don't miss anything. I am giving all of you 7-day notice.

You'll be lucky!

 

[alexandmaddie]

Good Morning everyone!! Just popping in before I head off to work to let everyone know that my DD and the rest of the mission team have left Russia and are in Frankfurt right now. They will leave Frankfurt at 10am CST in route to Washington DC and then finally to New Orleans. They will not get back to New Orleans until 11:50pm tonight....so they still have a long day ahead of them. The past 2 weeks have flown by....hope our 2 week cruise does not go by so fast!!!


9 weeks from right now I will be touring Barcelona

Glad to hear your DD is almost home! What a great opportunity for her. My DD is going on a mission trip to NYC on July 21st, which we thought was neat, but wow, going to Russia is incredible!

9 weeks from today I'll be sitting in an airport in Canada!!

Krista

 

[granmaz]

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Still reading the boards back from 103. Next Friday I leave for vacation in Utah (we like summer skiing) and I would like everyone to take a vacation at the same time so I don't miss anything. I am giving all of you 7-day notice.

 

[valbob89]

Thought I'd pass this information on for those newbies like myself who are still trying to learn the ins and outs of traveling in Europe.

I've just spent 2 hours going through voice mail hell with my financial institutions and finally talking with live people about foreign transaction fees when you use a credit card in europe. It seems it is worth it to explore this area. Bank of America Visa and Chase/Disney Visa each charge a 3% transaction fee on top of the conversion rate. My two credit unions, Sea West Visa and Redwood Visa only charge 1%. Citibank Mastercard, since I have a gold card, has no fee. I also found some have an automatic transaction limit per-transaction but you can have multiple transactions processed on the same day. Others let you decide if you want to set a limit on amount and number of transactions per day. This is to help with fraud. The told me Spain has a major problem with credit card fraud. I've decided to setup a new card. This way if it should need to be cancelled due to fraud or is lost while on the trip I won't be effecting the account with all my auto payment plans linked to it.

The other thing I was told is the US uses 4 digit pins while in Europe they use 8 and if you just add 4 zeros to your 4 digit pin it should work because the computer has read that you are using a US card (I don't know if I buy this but worth trying). Also, it seems very few cards are issued with the smart chip in them in the US. They also said it "shouldn't" be a problem. The opperative word being Shouldn't.

Val

 

[1DisneyQueen]

I contacted Wachovia today and they said if we use the debit card there is a 3% fee as well as a $5.00 fee for each transaction.
They do not have a debit card for international use.
Their exchange rate today was 1.3588 and a 15.00 fee.

However,

Bank of America does have a Debit card for international use. And ther is a 3% fee

Their exchange rate today was 1.3603 and no fee

Capitolone does not charge any fees for purchases.
Cash advance is 3% or minimum of 10.00. Interest starts that moment till you pay it off. There is a 400.00 max per 24 hour day. You also do not earn points.


We are going to take cash with us. We did it the last time as well. I just divide it up for each tour/excursion in envelopes. We also have a pouch that goes inside your shirt and it holds ID, Passport and cash. I wish whom ever the best of luck if they think they will get inside my shirt to get my cash. I will no doubt be sleep deprived and I am certain I am not the most pleasant person to mess with. It must be the latin blood and the New Yorker in me.

 

[woody73]

Calling all Bound for Barcelona crew!

Calling all Thieves!

Email sent. Thanks Krisann.

Woody

 

[1DisneyQueen]

Thought I'd pass this information on for those newbies like myself who are still trying to learn the ins and outs of traveling in Europe.

I've just spent 2 hours going through voice mail hell with my financial institutions and finally talking with live people about foreign transaction fees when you use a credit card in europe. It seems it is worth it to explore this area. Bank of America Visa and Chase/Disney Visa each charge a 3% transaction fee on top of the conversion rate. My two credit unions, Sea West Visa and Redwood Visa only charge 1%. Citibank Mastercard, since I have a gold card, has no fee. I also found some have an automatic transaction limit per-transaction but you can have multiple transactions processed on the same day. Others let you decide if you want to set a limit on amount and number of transactions per day. This is to help with fraud. The told me Spain has a major problem with credit card fraud. I've decided to setup a new card. This way if it should need to be cancelled due to fraud or is lost while on the trip I won't be effecting the account with all my auto payment plans linked to it.

The other thing I was told is the US uses 4 digit pins while in Europe they use 8 and if you just add 4 zeros to your 4 digit pin it should work because the computer has read that you are using a US card (I don't know if I buy this but worth trying). Also, it seems very few cards are issued with the smart chip in them in the US. They also said it "shouldn't" be a problem. The opperative word being Shouldn't.

Val

Great minds think a like. I guess we were doing this at the same time.

 

[gismo1554]

Thought I'd pass this information on for those newbies like myself who are still trying to learn the ins and outs of traveling in Europe.

The other thing I was told is the US uses 4 digit pins while in Europe they use 8 and if you just add 4 zeros to your 4 digit pin it should work because the computer has read that you are using a US card (I don't know if I buy this but worth trying). Also, it seems very few cards are issued with the smart chip in them in the US. They also said it "shouldn't" be a problem. The opperative word being Shouldn't.

Val

UK uses a 4 digit one too so I don't think all of Europe uses 8 digits.

 

[Tink rules]

OK, I will be the designated driver if the captain wants to join in with the drinking Champagne Girls!

We can ask him...

 

[Hoagie Pie]

I have a quick question and I am sure it has been answered before - probably 2,000 posts back

When we bring candy into Spain, are we allowed to have it in our carry on or do we need to check it? I thought someone said that we cannot bring food in, is candy considered food? I know Sarah wants those coconut M&M's!

 

[gismo1554]

OK People! Anyone heard of Silly Bandz? I've got some for FE gifts as found them and they looked cool but didn't know if anyone actually knew what they were? Thinking I may need to add a note to the FE bags

 

[Hoagie Pie]

OK People! Anyone heard of Silly Bandz? I've got some for FE gifts as found them and they looked cool but didn't know if anyone actually knew what they were? Thinking I may need to add a note to the FE bags

Sarah! My DD will think you are the best for the Silly Bandz - she wears 100 of them on her arm. LOVES THEM! She will only wish you were in our FE group! I think, most kids, at least in Florida, think they are the greatest thing ever! You did well!!!

 

[bob_and_dawn]

Hope everyones keeping well and getting organized

Finally started getting our fish extender gifts and bought my formal dresses today

Only 9 weeks left

Dawn

 

[1DisneyQueen]

I have a quick question and I am sure it has been answered before - probably 2,000 posts back

When we bring candy into Spain, are we allowed to have it in our carry on or do we need to check it? I thought someone said that we cannot bring food in, is candy considered food? I know Sarah wants those coconut M&M's!

Candy is fine. They are talking about fresh fruit, meats ect.

OK People! Anyone heard of Silly Bandz? I've got some for FE gifts as found them and they looked cool but didn't know if anyone actually knew what they were? Thinking I may need to add a note to the FE bags

They are all the rage here in the US.

 

[UKANGEL]

Hope everyones keeping well and getting organized

Finally started getting our fish extender gifts and bought my formal dresses today

Only 9 weeks left

Dawn

I'm well, but not very organised Dawn! yay! on getting your formal dress...any pictures?


See you in 9 weeks

 

[bob_and_dawn]

I'm well, but not very organised Dawn! yay! on getting your formal dress...any pictures?


See you in 9 weeks

Not a chance Mandy.....that would be far too technical for me Just need to decide which to wear when and which to save for Victoria & Alberts.

Dawn

 

[bob_and_dawn]

OK People! Anyone heard of Silly Bandz? I've got some for FE gifts as found them and they looked cool but didn't know if anyone actually knew what they were? Thinking I may need to add a note to the FE bags

What are they Sarah not something I have heard of.

Dawn

 

[UKANGEL]

Not a chance Mandy.....that would be far too technical for me Just need to decide which to wear when and which to save for Victoria & Alberts.

Dawn

You off to V & A again? lucky you!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Corrina, where in Australia is the tiara place, It may be cheaper to send it to me and I can bring it for you? Pm me if you want me to bring it

Hayley, I really appreciate the kind offer, but I am sorted. The shipping cost was very fair. I don't pay any more than I normally do for my Ebay purchases from the UK. One has been shipped already and should hopefully be here in a week or so. They are coming from Western Australia and Northern Territory respectively. I have no more information that that.

Q for the experienced tiara wearers: Some tiaras seem to have combs and some are just headbands, how do you keep the headband ones in your hair? Are they just for wedding veils?

Andrea (novice tiara wearer)

The tiaras without the comb tend to have loops at the ends of the band and the idea is that you thread hairpins through the loops to hold the tiara in place. I have very fine hair and hairpins never stay in. So I intent to attach clear elastic to the loops and hide it underneath my hair. This should keep it in place.

Hi Corinna

Can you resend the PM, it didn't make it! Look forward to seeing your jewellery for Villains night!

I have send you an email instead. I sent three PMs to people yesterday and I have the feeling that none of them arrived.

Thought I'd pass this information on for those newbies like myself who are still trying to learn the ins and outs of traveling in Europe.

I've just spent 2 hours going through voice mail hell with my financial institutions and finally talking with live people about foreign transaction fees when you use a credit card in europe. It seems it is worth it to explore this area. Bank of America Visa and Chase/Disney Visa each charge a 3% transaction fee on top of the conversion rate. My two credit unions, Sea West Visa and Redwood Visa only charge 1%. Citibank Mastercard, since I have a gold card, has no fee. I also found some have an automatic transaction limit per-transaction but you can have multiple transactions processed on the same day. Others let you decide if you want to set a limit on amount and number of transactions per day. This is to help with fraud. The told me Spain has a major problem with credit card fraud. I've decided to setup a new card. This way if it should need to be cancelled due to fraud or is lost while on the trip I won't be effecting the account with all my auto payment plans linked to it.

The other thing I was told is the US uses 4 digit pins while in Europe they use 8 and if you just add 4 zeros to your 4 digit pin it should work because the computer has read that you are using a US card (I don't know if I buy this but worth trying). Also, it seems very few cards are issued with the smart chip in them in the US. They also said it "shouldn't" be a problem. The opperative word being Shouldn't.

Val

In the UK and in Germany pin numbers are 4 digits long. I have used my UK card in Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Malta and in none of those places I had any problems using the 4 digit pin code and I did not add any zeros either.

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have a quick question and I am sure it has been answered before - probably 2,000 posts back

When we bring candy into Spain, are we allowed to have it in our carry on or do we need to check it? I thought someone said that we cannot bring food in, is candy considered food? I know Sarah wants those coconut M&M's!

Pre-packaged candy should be absolutely fine. The USA are much stricter than any European country and I never had problems taking pre-packaged candy into the USA either.

OK People! Anyone heard of Silly Bandz? I've got some for FE gifts as found them and they looked cool but didn't know if anyone actually knew what they were? Thinking I may need to add a note to the FE bags

I know that the kids of some good friends in the USA are absolutely crazy about Silly Bandz.

What are they Sarah not something I have heard of.

Dawn

Silly Bandz are essentially rubber bracelets that come in various shapes. Their official website is here:

http://www.sillybandz.com/

I love the colour change ones that even come in a beach theme.

Corinna