Exchange rates and saving money

Always paid in US dollars and always will. 16 trips and have never used a credit card in Jamaica and never will unless it is an emergency.

If I pay little more by paying US dollars, oh well. I can afford it. I take lots of small bills to avoid JA dollars as change. Many Jamaicans tell me they prefer US dollars.

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Originally Posted by Homebrewer

My CC issuer is Chase and this year they told me they would most likely block any transactions I attempted while in Jamaica. In past years they did put a note on my account to block transactions after the date I advised them I would return.

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Just used a Chase CC this April with no issues. We set the dates of travel a month before we left.

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Originally Posted by gregandkelly63

Always paid in US dollars and always will. 16 trips and have never used a credit card in Jamaica and never will unless it is an emergency.

If I pay little more by paying US dollars, oh well. I can afford it. I take lots of small bills to avoid JA dollars as change. Many Jamaicans tell me they prefer US dollars.

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There was a time, many years ago that Jamaicans preferred US dollars because they were unable to get them unless they had a bank account that allowed it. Today, they can get foreign currency just as easily as Jamaican Dollars.

I think the Jamaicans who tell you they "prefer" US dollars do so because you give them more on each transaction. They tell you "$100 US" on a $10,000J transaction and then they exchange it for $12,000 or more.

I think the "Jamaican Experience" extends to learning about the people and culture and the way they live each day and that includes their money. It is not so difficult to use Jamaican Dollars and chat a word of patwa here and there. It makes for a better experience in my opinion. No harm, no fowl if you want to continue they way you do it though.

Peace and Guidance

mi think wi won't be up to $126 till next Spring.....or maybe next Summer.....
you can't go by those online rates here on the ground in Negril......
the rate right now is $122.50US at the Fox Trader Cambio by HiLo.......

Cool Runnings, Marko

XE.com rate is 126.50 J to $1 US

I use US $'s, exchange same at Cammbio by the roundabout, and ATM withdrawals. I find a mix offers me the flexibility to pay my bill and show proper respect.

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Originally Posted by Captain Oil

Very easy to eliminate this issue completely. A simple call to your credit card BEFORE you leave on your trip. Tell them what days you will be in a foreign location and to not accept any foreign charges after your date of departure.

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No, really, that doesn't work. If someone is trying to run charges against your card using your card number, the company will terminate that number and reissue. They know it's a fraudulent transaction, they block it, they still cancel and reissue. Had this happen this spring. I absolutely always call and tell the card company my dates, and I only take one card with me when I travel, and it's one I don't use except when I'm traveling. And I still end up with the security dept. calling me to tell me that they think there are fraudulent transactions being entered and they're reissuing.