What would you do re: faxing payment?

[scottishgirl87]

As most of you know I have a week in May booked at RPR. We have paid our deposit and this is the last thing we have to pay off! We now have the money together to pay for it and would like to get it out of the way so that everything is paid

My only problem is, unlike Disney US where I could pay over the phone, Loews want a card authorization form faxed to them. The faxing part isn't a problem as I have a fax machine in the house. Basically the form wants my card details, signature, and also a copy of my card front and back as well as a copy of my driving licence To be honest, I'm not sure how comfortable I would be faxing this? Am I over-reacting? I just think, I mean, I don't know who will actually pick up the fax, or say I pressed 1 wrong digit or something and it goes totally awol

I'm now thinking about maybe opening up a FairFX account to purely put the amount needed (and a little extra incase) and using this as at least that way it's not attached to my bank account in any way etc. But I don't even know if they'd accept this as payment!

Argh! What would you do?! Am I totally over-reacting and should just send the fax?

PS. I know I can pay at check-in (which I may end up doing) but with the way the exchange rate is going I want to get it paid before it ends up costing even more!

 

[2Tiggies]

I would not fax all those card details. If someone has the nos on the back of your card they can go to town - quite literally!

I would rather pay at check in. I know you are worried about exchange rate, but you could convert your currency now and keep it aside until you check in. FairFX may be the best way to go in that case, but I know you had concerns about them so you may want to look into a Thomas Cook or Co-Op cash card if you feel better about that. If they wont' take the actual card at check in you can draw the cash out there.

Otherwise travellers cheques, although you will get a lesser rate.

There is also the Sun Card, another prepaid mastercard. BIL and sister use it a lot online in foreign currencies and they claim it is fee free.

 

[2Tiggies]

Just wanted to add, I was victim of credit card cloning last year. All they need is your DOB, address and card details. I would not, under any circumstances, fax all that information to them. As you say, how do you know who picks up the fax?!

 

[TOONMADLAD]

I'm with the other posters on this, under no circumstances would I give that information via a fax, they must have a better, more secure way for you to pay off your balance.

 

[scottishgirl87]

Thanks for the replies, guys!

I would rather pay at check in. I know you are worried about exchange rate, but you could convert your currency now and keep it aside until you check in. FairFX may be the best way to go in that case, but I know you had concerns about them so you may want to look into a Thomas Cook or Co-Op cash card if you feel better about that. If they wont' take the actual card at check in you can draw the cash out there.

I never thought about this! This might actually be an idea! I can load up the card purely with our hotel money

I'm taking my own debit card anyway but I'm concerned about having our hotel money on it as well because well I'll think I have more spending money than I actually do!

Maybe someone will come along if they know that Universal with accept a FairFX at check-in!

 

[mickeyforpresident]

Why shouldn't they accept the FairFX Card - it just works out there as a credit card.

I agree with othe rposters - DO NOT send all those details over a fax!!!

 

[TOONMADLAD]

I'm with the other posters on this, under no circumstances would I give that information via a fax, they must have a better, more secure way for you to pay off your balance.

 

[rpbert1]

Loews need a payment authorisation form with details and picture with address of the person who owns the card.
I have been paying Loews this way for 5 years, have paid this years stay at 2 resorts Loews owns, and have never had any problems, and have not heard of anyone else having problems, and i do not see any reason to change now.

 

[disneyholic family]

i would never fax my credit card details to anyone...

 

[2Tiggies]

I'm right with you disneyholic family: not in this day and age!

 

[scottishgirl87]

Thanks, guys

I'm still debating what to do, although I think we may go down the putting the money on FairFX route and just paying it at check-in. I just wish I had thought about it sooner when it was at least $1.50 to the £, but that's just how it goes!

 

[scottishgirl87]

Just thought I'd update and say I'm about to put the money we need for RPR on a FairFX card I just can't handle the dollar rate getting any worse!

And hey, if it gets better it'll still benefit me in my spending money

Ahhh I hope I'm doing the right thing!

 

[2Tiggies]

I walked past the Cheque Centre in my lunch hour and couldn't resist a peek. I know it's high st rate, but still at 1.44 it is scary. 5c down from yesterday! I am taking the same point of view as you. It is still better than it was last year this time. If it is over 1.40 I am happy to budget. If it goes up, I will buy extra and can always save it for next year's trip. Just checked FairFX is 1.4775 just now. I am going to buy some more. Do you feel better having a bit of company?

 

[scottishgirl87]

I walked past the Cheque Centre in my lunch hour and couldn't resist a peek. I know it's high st rate, but still at 1.44 it is scary. 5c down from yesterday! I am taking the same point of view as you. It is still better than it was last year this time. If it is over 1.40 I am happy to budget. If it goes up, I will buy extra and can always save it for next year's trip. Just checked FairFX is 1.4775 just now. I am going to buy some more. Do you feel better having a bit of company?

Hehe, thanks!

To be honest, I was panicking about how bad it was getting, then I looked back at the rate I got when I last went to the US in November/December 2008 and I was getting $1.47 to the £1 most days then and that was the bank exchange rate and not the tourist rate!

Ach well, what will be will be, won't make me not buy any less, lol.