"Amtrak has long accepted both credit and debit cards aboard its trains and has periodically studied eliminating cash payments, but research thus far has indicated such a move would hurt sales."
There is a concern with regard to using debit cards (as opposed to credit cards) while traveling:
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Amtrak, you're running out of excuses; you're next!
Debit card? Have one, but quite happy to leave home without it.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I agree, best to leave the debit card at home.
The only time I ever use my debit card is for ATM check deposits or cash withdrawals. I once encountered a furniture store that wouldn't take credit cards, only debit cards. However, the store was well established, here in SR, so I didn't have a problem with their policy. If Amtrak goes plastic, only, I surely will only use a credit card.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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This is probably going to work on VIA the same as in a restaurant here where the server brings the terminal to the table....just Tap & Go. I can’t remember the last time I had to go up to the cash register with the check to pay.
Wonder how this will work with US Credit Cards? Down there.....I think it’s Chip & Sign? Here it’s Chip & Pin....no signature required and under a certain amount you can just Tap and don’t even enter your pin.
Hope they take it the next step and I can use the Google Pay app on my phone!....then everything is conveniently in my pocket!
Until recently..... on my travels I’d pack up one of my carry-ons with two cameras (still and video) laptop, GPS, an assortment of timetables, maps, atlases and track-guides, a folder with my tickets and reservations plus several magazines. Now that’s all in my pocket on my phone and I have my one carry-on or just a back-pack on shorter trips to deal with. Certainly, a better experience that lugging a bunch of stuff around!
Everything I need is there on my phone from my VIA and Amtrak, Airline, Transit and Commuter Rail Ticket Apps to Reservation Apps for Hotels and Car Rentals along with some great Mapping and GPS Apps plus the electronic versions of several magazines. I even find the camera quality much better than my old point & shoot:
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Mr. Hadfield (you're "out" by linking to your Flickr page), down here some "major chain" mid priced full service restaurants will have the Server bring a terminal to the table; your card will never be out of your sight. This practice is also prevalent overseas at any level restaurant.
But the "high end" down here - even chains such as Ruth's Chris and Capital Grille (Darden), your card still goes on an "excursion" where hopefully only the transaction is processed.
"Please pay Cashier" is largely limited to independent "family" restaurants where the owner or immediate family "guards the strongbox". However, there is one major chain (don't know if they're "up there") that uses such practice.
Wonder why I've had my first and last visit to that chain? Help me out, Mike.
Otherwise, the only "hack" I've had on my American Express, occurred in Atlanta during '14. There are really only two "suspects". First was a United Airlines Attendant from whom I had bought my "two". The other was a singing waiter at an Italian restaurant in Atlanta. We both knew what we wanted to have from the printed menu, therefore no need for the "aria". Wasn't long after we had left the restaurant, when American Express was texting me wondering how I could be in Atlanta and buying tires up in Toronto?
So who get the finger pointed at them? The United Attendant or "Luciano Pavarotti"?
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I was subject of a scam a few weeks ago (I'm glad it was a few weeks ago. It would be hard to handle a computer- based scam and a massive fire, burning 77,00 acres up the road from me, at the same time. My nerves would have been shot if they aren't already).
Someone got access to my e-mail and sent a very authentic-looking email from Amazon, saying a $2800 laptop was purchased and on its way to my home in San Antonio, TX. Problem is that I live in Santa Rosa, CA, not Texas.
The phony email had a "800" number to call if I thought the laptop purchase was not legit. They wanted to give me "free" a $16,000 fire wall (for 1 day!) to prevent said fraud from happening again. Someone would bring it by but I had to pay them a "refundable" $1500 for the 1 day. The idea was to purchase $1500 worth Google virtual debit cards at a local retailer, then give the payment to the firewall bearer. But, of course, the $1500 would be "refundable" (!). I believe this sort of hoax is fairly common.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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