Costa Rica Exit Fee - Surprise On Credit Card Bill
Feb 18, 2010, 8:48 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Florida
Programs: marriott platinum, intercontinental diamond
Posts: 210
Costa Rica Exit Fee - Surprise On Credit Card Bill
I'm not certain if this is limited to Costa Rica or if it applies elsewhere. The government allows you to put the exit fee on a Visa or Mastercard. However, they don't mention that it will be processed as a cash advance.
When I received my Visa bill this month I saw the charge for $54.70. However, I was also assessed a $10 minimum cash advance fee and a $1.50 minimum interest charge. I was able to get these charges removed after a lengthy wait.
Next time I ask and/or pay cash.
When I received my Visa bill this month I saw the charge for $54.70. However, I was also assessed a $10 minimum cash advance fee and a $1.50 minimum interest charge. I was able to get these charges removed after a lengthy wait.
Next time I ask and/or pay cash.
Feb 20, 2010, 1:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SJO
Programs: CO Gold
Posts: 1,229
AFAIK its up to the bank to decide what is /is not considered a 'cash advance', in other words , the transaction has a 'transaction code' which explains to the bank what it is say 'phone/cable' , 'food' , etc etc and depending on such codes they decide if they consider it a cash advance or not
I work in an industry that sometimes had to deal with this issue and it ultimately boils down to the issuing bank
I work in an industry that sometimes had to deal with this issue and it ultimately boils down to the issuing bank
Feb 23, 2010, 1:34 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SJO/MGA
Programs: bits of shiny plastic w/ varied utility
Posts: 383
signs
At some of the stations they now have a sign in English that says your bank may treat the transaction as a cash advance. Not sure when I first saw them but they are fairly recent.
At many of the hotels you can also pay your exit fee - $29 vs $26 but if you add to your hotel bill, you may get points as it is another "incidental" charge to your room account.
At many of the hotels you can also pay your exit fee - $29 vs $26 but if you add to your hotel bill, you may get points as it is another "incidental" charge to your room account.
Feb 25, 2010, 7:01 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 49
I'm not certain if this is limited to Costa Rica or if it applies elsewhere. The government allows you to put the exit fee on a Visa or Mastercard. However, they don't mention that it will be processed as a cash advance.
When I received my Visa bill this month I saw the charge for $54.70. However, I was also assessed a $10 minimum cash advance fee and a $1.50 minimum interest charge. I was able to get these charges removed after a lengthy wait.
Next time I ask and/or pay cash.
When I received my Visa bill this month I saw the charge for $54.70. However, I was also assessed a $10 minimum cash advance fee and a $1.50 minimum interest charge. I was able to get these charges removed after a lengthy wait.
Next time I ask and/or pay cash.
I've paid my exit fee at EZE with a credit card several times, so as far as I know this is a Costa Rican issue...
May 4, 2010, 8:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 26
I'm not certain if this is limited to Costa Rica or if it applies elsewhere. The government allows you to put the exit fee on a Visa or Mastercard. However, they don't mention that it will be processed as a cash advance.
When I received my Visa bill this month I saw the charge for $54.70. However, I was also assessed a $10 minimum cash advance fee and a $1.50 minimum interest charge. I was able to get these charges removed after a lengthy wait.
Next time I ask and/or pay cash.
When I received my Visa bill this month I saw the charge for $54.70. However, I was also assessed a $10 minimum cash advance fee and a $1.50 minimum interest charge. I was able to get these charges removed after a lengthy wait.
Next time I ask and/or pay cash.