Leaving for Zim in less than a month. I'm taking cash, and don't intend to use my credit cards, but figured I'd call my banks to make them aware I'll be out of the country in case I wind up needing to use my cards in Harare or the airport.

The Cabela's Visa agent tells me that Zimbabwe is on the list of terrorist states put out by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and any transactions I try to make will be declined.

Anyone else hear this before?

Had no problem paying the tab at the Vic Falls Hotel with a Chase Visa card in June.

Chase, Bank of America, and Amex all said it would be no problem. Not sure why the Cabela's Visa people had an issue.

The only place that would take credit cards in Vic Falls when I was there in 2009 was the Victoria Falls Hotel, and when they ran it the charge went through their South African bank and Zim.

quote:

Originally posted by opus72:
Leaving for Zim in less than a month. I'm taking cash, and don't intend to use my credit cards, but figured I'd call my banks to make them aware I'll be out of the country in case I wind up needing to use my cards in Harare or the airport.

The Cabela's Visa agent tells me that Zimbabwe is on the list of terrorist states put out by the Office of Foreign Assets Control and any transactions I try to make will be declined.

Anyone else hear this before?

pure bullshit. used my Mastercard last Oct with no problem. Cabelas may be the issuing company but the Visa system is a worldwide banking company and i seriously doubt they would deny a charge if they knew you were traveling there. i always call Amex and M/C before i leave and give them a heads up- and have never had a problem anywhere in the world. call the main Visa customer service number( not the Cabelas Visa number) and get it straight from the horse's mouth.

Might not be BS. Last year I used my Cabelas Visa card in South Africa with no problems, but was declined in Zimbabwe. I used another visa in Zimbabwe no problem. I called all my cards before I left and let them know, so Cabelas knew. I will be in Zim in two weeks and will try again.

Best practice to protect your interest

Apply for a new card / account and ask for a ceiling shall we say 4000 usd or whatever you expect to spend in tue few days you have spare

The once you have the card get it in writing from Amex or visa that they are ok where you are travelling before IOU get on a plane

Once you are back pay the things off and close the account

Chance of you being clone or not accepted is minimised

Trust me done it 14 times to Africa 3x to south America 3x Russia

Worse thing got clone in London

Which is the third world country !,,,,,

For those of use that don't travel much what are the advantages of a new card just for the trip???

I was only trying to share a tip somebody taught me so your card does not get cloned and even if it is you don't get that's all
It's not or everybody but it's a dam good safety net

I just took cash last year. That neat little thingie to wear around your neck that they give you at SCI? It is big enough for your passport, and a ton of hundred dollar bills, and travels very nicely underneath your shirt next to your skin.

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
I just took cash last year. That neat little thingie to wear around your neck that they give you at SCI? It is big enough for your passport, and a ton of hundred dollar bills, and travels very nicely underneath your shirt next to your skin.

Rich

All good and well until airport security ask you how much $$ have you there. $5G maximum sir...