SA - Private game reserve requests paying via wire transfer
Jan 7, 2017, 8:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
SA - Private game reserve requests paying via wire transfer
Here is the situation. We have been invited to our friend's wedding which is held at Karongwe Private Game Reserve.
I got email from the property where wedding/accommodation is going to be held. They requested full payment 45 days before the wedding and with wire transfer only.
I want to understand - how common such terms are in SA? Is there a way to pay them via credit card? I asked payment with a credit card but did not receive any reply.
I got email from the property where wedding/accommodation is going to be held. They requested full payment 45 days before the wedding and with wire transfer only.
I want to understand - how common such terms are in SA? Is there a way to pay them via credit card? I asked payment with a credit card but did not receive any reply.
Jan 8, 2017, 11:30 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
In over a quarter of a century of frequent visits to any number of game reserves and private lodges, I've never been asked for a wire transfer.
These days just about every lodge seems to offer secure online card payment.
Advance payment is the normal. Usually a deposit if you book well in advance, followed by full payment X weeks before arrival.
Johan
These days just about every lodge seems to offer secure online card payment.
Advance payment is the normal. Usually a deposit if you book well in advance, followed by full payment X weeks before arrival.
Johan
Jan 9, 2017, 12:09 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Programs: SA Air, Air Canada, KLM, BA,Lufthansa, United, AA, Hawaiian, Air New Zealnd, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic
Posts: 777
On a recent trip to South Africa (Oct/Nov 2016) we were asked for a wire transfer and told CC fee would be an added 12% if we wanted to pay by CC. Since I had very thoroughly vetted the company I did do a wire transfer. It was 50% at booking and 50% 60 days prior trip. Had no problem.
Jan 9, 2017, 2:40 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,077
In over a quarter of a century of frequent visits to any number of game reserves and private lodges, I've never been asked for a wire transfer.
These days just about every lodge seems to offer secure online card payment.
Advance payment is the normal. Usually a deposit if you book well in advance, followed by full payment X weeks before arrival.
Johan
These days just about every lodge seems to offer secure online card payment.
Advance payment is the normal. Usually a deposit if you book well in advance, followed by full payment X weeks before arrival.
Johan
Can't match Johan's time frame but in 16+ years, never been asked by a game reserve for a wire (other businesses, yes, though not travel related, IIRC).
Jan 10, 2017, 11:28 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Johan
Jan 10, 2017, 11:40 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,410
Ahh, you are right, I now remember as well that it was actually a TA that asked for a wire transfer ^
Jan 11, 2017, 3:26 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: Qantas WP, LTG , Delta, SPG, Priority Club
Posts: 303
In a few trips, I have always been given the option of wire transfer or secure payment by credit card. I guess it depends whether you trust the proprietor. I presume your friend will vouch for them since they are having their wedding there, so wire transfer might be ok?
Jan 11, 2017, 7:38 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Virginia City Highlands
Programs: Nothing anymore after 20 years
Posts: 6,900
Update: sent to a friend a polite request to ask the lodge to to accept credit card payment. Couple of days later they sent me link to pay via credit card and I did. All good now.
Jan 12, 2017, 6:36 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: UA
Posts: 324
It is also quite common for hotels to ignore the 'free cancellation' on your reservation and email you asking for upfront money. That has happened to me several times. I've had to send them a nice reply stating that I reserved the room at that rate precisely because I could cancel it, that I'm still planning on coming, and that I'll let them know in the unlikely event that my plans change, and that unless it is required, I'd rather not send payment in advance. They are usually very nice about it then.
In SA, it is frequent for some hotels to require payment in advance. In my experience, most hotels take credit cards.
