Help Me: Should We Accept Credit Cards for Our Tours?

It’s about 2 a.m. I’m in Vienna, still spinning after an exciting day in Bratislava, but also burdened with office work. (Wi-Fi in the room is both good and bad.)

I could use some advice. Here’s the situation: Over the years with our tour program, I’ve done my best to be idealistic and think creatively of ways to keep things as affordable as possible. For example, I’ve long believed that it was a kind of “tough love” not to build in the roughly $10-a-day extra cost to accept credit cards. We’ve long accepted credit cards for individual retail purchases and for deposits on tours. But for such a big-ticket item — the tour balance — it seemed careless to invite the banks into the already tight equation. Requiring payment by cash or check has allowed us to keep our tours more affordable. (It seemed a shame to give a bank $200 so a tour member could have the convenience of using their credit card rather than writing a check to take a 20-day tour.)

As we get ready to price and promote our tours for 2011, we have a debate among our staff about the wisdom of this, and perhaps I’m thinking too small.

It’s just a basic business truth: Anyone accepting credit cards is passing that fee along to their customers. In the past, the credit-card companies have managed to make it illegal for companies like ours to accept credit cards for an extra fee (to cover the credit-card company’s fee). I’ve learned that now we are allowed to discount our tours to those who pay cash. But if we do that, we still must advertise our tours at the full, needlessly bloated cost. (I don’t entertain frequent-flier miles concerns in this debate, because I don’t believe in that marketing ploy — but that’s a different discussion.)

In this day and age, people expect to pay by credit card. So what’s better — a 12-day Portugal tour for $2,800 cash, or a 12-day Portugal tour for $2,900 with credit card? Why?

Thanks for your input.

Update as of July 2:
After reading everyone’s comments, it’s clear that people want the credit card option. Thanks so much for your feedback. This has been a learning experience for me…very interesting reading. From a business point of view, I don’t think any company simply “eats” their added credit card expenses. (When we consume in a way that adds to the cost of the product, the consumers ultimately pay for it.) I must say I’m impressed by how readily we embrace a system that adds 3 percent to the cost of everything we purchase. But I’m over it now. So: Credit cards, here we come.

For the launch of our 2011 tours this fall, we’ll find a way to give credit-card users a choice for the first time — and, to avoid passing the added cost of accepting credit cards on to our cash-paying customers, we’ll give cash users some savings. The main thing and the good news here: This change will help more people enjoy the wonders of Europe — and we’ll have the chance to turn more travelers into happy customers. Thanks again for your help.

Comments

79 Replies to “Help Me: Should We Accept Credit Cards for Our Tours?”

  1. Advertise credit card price, with cash discount prominently displayed. This gives people the option to choose their priority, and also enables some people to travel who might not be able to drop the $3k all at once.

  2. I totally agree, the answer should be both. Just make sure you aren’t marking up CC purchasers substantially. Typical CC charges are 3-3.5% for retailers (on the high side) so I think the example you set above ($2800 cash and $2900 CC) is perfect.

  3. Could you accept credit cards for the deposit, but require the balance be paid by cash or check? That would keep the bank charges to a minimum, but still allow the flexibility for travelers to put a portion of the tour cost on a credit card.

  4. I like the idea of having both prices posted– People like to have options. I think accepting credit cards is a growing trend, as it offers convenience. Though, with the way of the economy and crack down on consumer credit, people might start swinging the other way. Which brings us back around to having both options. To me, for a $100 more, I can be assured that the payment on my 12-day Portugal trip was processed and taken care of. Onen less thing to remember when planning my trip.

  5. I get tired of subsidizing credit card users when paying cash or writing a check. Costs are higher for everyone unless a business adds their cost of accepting credit cards to the prices for those using a credit card only. People get annoyed about this but they think credit card usage should be “free”, which it is not.

  6. Hello Rick – My vote is to make both options available. The reason being is that should a traveller be overseas and want to take one of your tours – last minute planning or due to a schedule change, either way – it would be great to contact your office and book the tour. Being able to give a credit card would just make it more simple. Thanks for considering this option~

  7. Hello Rick – My vote would be to make both options available. For those that have a credit card that offers a 1-5%rebate, this would help to cover some of the additional costs if they chose to pay by cc.

  8. As a former business owner, I always felt that honoring credit card payments and paying the additional charges (as the business) was a part of doing business and didn’t believe that the extra cost should be passed along to the customer. I think that a business as large as yours could afford to “eat” the credit card costs as a convenience to your loyal readers and travelers. Tom @ bigblueglobe.blogspot.com

  9. I like the idea of having cash or credit options, even if it means a slightly higher price for the credit option. And I don’t think you should eat the cost.

  10. Rick — I would worry that the very worst of your travelers could reverse the credit card charge too easily when the trip did not live up to their outlandish delusions. With a check payment, they have to go to far more trouble to document how they believe they were misled. I’d vote for making both options available for a trial period and see whether it proves to be worth the trouble and inevitable hatemail.

  11. Can you set up an on-line bank draft facility? Most of our bills are paid that way. We don’t do either credit card or check for most things. Very 21st Century. The only checks we write are for the lawn service, the cleaning lady, and charities. And ETBD tours.

  12. Offer both options. Some people will be willing to pay by credit card while others will pay by check/cash. In Australia the credit card fee is added on to the bill if you wish to pay that way. If you pay by bank card – an option we do not seem to have in the states, there is no additional fee. (that may be the on-line bank draft mentioned above by Jim @ 1:41) Frankly it is easier to get the money back from the credit card company should your company suddenly go out of business leaving me stranded! Choice is good.

  13. Hi Rick. This is the kind of thing that a lot of companies do, only they do it under the table. I recently had new windows installed, and the installer gave me a 3% discount if I paid by cash/check. Only thing is I had to ask for it. But they were more than happy to comply. You’d be going above and beyond by advertising a special cash/check price discount. It amounts to the same thing as charging more.

  14. You should post both prices. Your customers are “smarter than the average bear” and can make an informed decision. Some will opt for the savings. Others will opt for the security and convenience. Choices are good.

  15. I think having both but with the CASH DISCOUNT clearly stated is good. There are lots of people, especially younger ones, who just never write checks. How else do we pay you?

  16. I’m all for choice. I typically pay for anything over $8-$10 with a credit card, but that’s because I get FF miles – in Sept. I’ll leave on my third RTW flying business class thanks to that habit. But if both prices were listed, I might well pay by check, depending on the cost difference.

  17. How about offering your own branded “Rick Steves” credit card with a Capital One joint venture. They’re the only major credit card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.

  18. Give them the option. I get 3% back from my credit card for travel purchases, so its a wash for me. Perhaps someone else will enjoy the miles they earn (I know, another discussion).

  19. cash is dead.(period) i will probably never take a tour so i say, raise the prices and take the windfall on the check sales (i buy lots of books though) the company i work for, (ski area) credit cards sales have gone from 50% to >85% of our business in the last 5 years on a personal note i now write less than 10 checks a year (every thing else is e-bill pay) few things: we pay a lot of fees but don’t have to deal with bounced checks be sure your contract has guide lines against charge back since 100% of your sales are “card not present” get as much info as possible address/zip/cv2 don’t accept amex its just too expensive. Discover isn’t worth the time it takes to fill out the paper work and just like everything else, shop around for rates. Be sure your merchant service provider has at least a 1000 employees (which leaves you with less than 10) the small guys are just reselling the big guy’s services and taking a cut one word:e-commerce shoot me an email if you have any more questions

  20. Sounds like most people are saying “both” and I agree. Be like a gas station: have a cash price and a card price. Personally, I like throwing stuff on my credit card for the miles and the convenience. But if the % seems too high for me, I’d break out the checkbook.

  21. I feel more secure no matter what when using my credit card. That said, if it was advertised as $1900 or $1800 if cash/check I would make the effort/sacrifice and pay cash.

  22. This is a hard one. I have known friends who lost their money when a tour company went bust, and if they had used a credit card they would of had their money back. Also we were double charged once by United Airlines and after 15 frustrating phone calls to United I called my visa card and they took the double charge off. In 2008 we purchased some things from Florence and had them shipped and they never arrived, we called the store they said they would send them and they never came and the Credit Card co contacted them and then reversed the charges. So for some people that is too much money to take the chance. I am a business owner and those charges you pay are a tax write off for your business. I would say at the least offer and if people want a discount for paying cash they can take advantage of that. But myself I would not write you a check for thousands of dollars and have faith everything goes well. I do think your company is probably the most honest I have ever bought from. But times are tough.

  23. Both options would be great. I live in Canada and so must pay my tour balance by bank draft. Unfortunately, that means I never know if/when it has been cashed and must contact ETBD to be certain they received my payment. Too much stress! Another possibility would be to allow tour members to pay by credit card but require those payments 90 days in advance, rather than the 60 days in advance for cheque payments. This would give ETBD an extra 30 days of interest income as the major credit card companies (Visa/MasterCard) deposit the funds in 2 business days. This assumes that someday soon the banks will actually pay interest to their clients.

  24. I agree the cash discount is a fair way to let the customers make a choice. Any tour is a lot of cash and without getting into the travelers savings strategy – its nice to have credit card for two reasons in my mind: One – allows the traveler to “finance” the trip with hopefully a low rate card – (but knowing its not getting the cash discount) and #2.- in my case – getting those miles that make the trip possible in the first place. A 2000-3000$ flight for free with miles means I can give ETBD that same money for the trip itself! :) I know you dont want to get into the miles game but those who do it well will have a lot of cash left over for RS TOURS! :) Bottom line: cash discount for check or full price for CC! This is America- we like OPTIONS!

  25. I could be wrong. I certainly respect the opinions of the demographic which seems to read and respond to RS or his staff. But the US will never go back to cash and carry because it (and its tweeners, gen y’s and gen x’s and boomers)have been weaned on CREDIT. Buy now, pay later. Except for the truly informed, the self-disciplined and maybe people over 65 —- our citizens – as a class, WILL pay more to have pleasure in the near term than sacrifice for the long term. No intentional editorializing. But if I was a business person and trying to attract volume – I would let my customers put their dreams on plastic – because if I don’t, some other purveyor of dreams Will. Of course as a thinking, caring, knowledgeable person, I might assuage my misgivings by giving an extra percent to charity. This is the U.S. We don’t deprive ourselves for a NY minute.

  26. So what’s better — a 12-day Portugal tour for $2,800 cash, or a 12-day Portugal tour for $2,900 with credit card? Think BIG! I think you should offer both options. Everybody’s financial situation is different. It could be the difference between traveling and not traveling at all for some folks…and significant revenue for you. Life is short…the oil spill may eventually cover the entire planet!

  27. PS – I love the idea of the RS-CapOne Card – the offical no-fees card of Rick-Nicks! … who also know to use cash for discoutns at family run biz once they get to Euro-land!

  28. I believe you may be losing potential customers by not allowing a credit card option. I would advertise both prices for cash and credit.

  29. First of all I have to comment on the “12 day Portugal tour for #2800”. It is not 12 days. It is really 10 1/2-11 days. The tour does not begin until 5:00 pm and does include dinner and a short walk about — perhaps 3 hrs. The last day of the tour is breakfast and it is not a group thing. I would hate to pay an extra $100 for the last day of the tour which is nothing. I use my credit card (Capital One) for all things travel becaase of no fees and miles accumulated. So I use it for my tour deposit and for the extra nights pre and post tour. I like the RS philosophy of paying upfront for the tour but in today’s world credit cards are the rule not the exception. I vote for the option (cash for discount or credit) and also having a RS Capital One Visa Card where I can accumulate mileges for the airfare not included.

  30. I had the same dilemma in my business. I did not want to pay the fees for all the issues with credit cards so I tell people to get a credit card check or they can pay on paypal which although you pay a percentage you don’t pay a multitude of bank fees as well. In fact I just bought my Lufthansa ticket through paypal and they did not pass the 3 percent fee to me they have something called a “unique client” arrangement and it went through like a charm. I am for as many options as possible/

  31. Do you accept PayPal? Do they have additional fees that are charged to you? If you accept PayPal then the customer could use their credit card or checking account to fund the PayPal account. Would this work?

  32. Rick, I agree with the masses; offer both. But my comment isn’t pro- or anti- credit card, rather it’s a thank you note for all the entertainment & education that you’ve provided to people like me throughout your career. My sister, who knows what a fan I am of your work, recently alerted me to the newest piece of information on your biography. I’ll leave it at that and just say that I hope your self-professed workaholism wasn’t the cause of it. Your work inspired me to take a trip to London back when I was in college. It was 1995 and I never would have ventured “way over there” without your inspiration. Since then, I’ve visited about 15 different countries. I’m 36-years-old now and can’t imagine a life without the joys of travel. I saw you live in 2003 when you visited Milwaukee, WI. In fact, I saw you twice in one day; once at the public library and later at a local bookstore. I later moved to Chicago, IL and saw you there in 2007 or 2008. Plenty of people made fun of me for being a “stalker,” which I assure you I am not. I just couldn’t pass up opportunities to hear you speak about the impact that travel has made on your life. I spend about two weeks overseas each year vs. your 3-4 months, but it’s still thrilling for me. If it hadn’t been for you, my travels would’ve been limited to Las Vegas, California, and maybe—if I got really crazy—Mexico. Thank you so much for inspiring me—and countless others—to get off their butts, venture outside the U.S., and see the world! With admiration and gratitude, Sara M. P.S.—I sent you a postcard from Vienna earlier this month. I hope you received it. :-)

  33. I agree with most people. It would be awesome to have both prices posted, and allowed the buyer to make the decision. Also, as a question for anyone who may know, what is ETBD’s policy on debit cards. I do not know and think it would be a good thing to know.

  34. I cant believe that 100 bucks is going to make the difference on someone taking a trip that all ready costs about 6 or 7 grand for 2 with airfare… ..if its that tight maybe put the trip off ..so offer one price assume that all use a CC then when they don’t consider it found money Posted by: Des – Jun 30, 2010 9:26 PM

  35. When I took my Rick Steves tour I was really worried about putting that great big check in the mail. What if it went astray? And I had never done business with your company before. What if it turned out that the company was less than trustworthy — I would not have the protection that making a credit card purchase has. I think a lot of people are nervous about these things.

  36. Give the trips one price and take as many payment options as you reasonably can. Many people don’t even have check books anymore, they use debit cards exclusively. We’ve taken several RS tours and every time we ask to use a credit card are told that if we want the frequent flyer miles or other credit card rebate, we should use one of those checks that draws on the credit card. Of course that’s terrible advice because there’s a 4% fee tacked onto it, even worse than the merchant’s credit card markup.

  37. Offer both the options. It is a credit card world now and I doubt it will change. I think most people understand there is a premium for businesses that accept credit cards and that it is passed on to the consumer. If you discount for cash then it is no different than many other businesses offer. There may be persons that this trip is a final fling due to health issues or something and don’t have the cash…I say put the “dream” on a card and go have a good time…it all works out somehow!!

  38. Money is going electronic and one day this cost will eventually go to close to free. (Please read the Wired Magazine March 2010 cover article “Money wants to be free”. The financial institutions want us to accept the idea of getting rebates back to keep the current system in place for as long as possible. Imagine the amount of money made by banks on the 2 to 3% charged on the Trillions of dollars spent each day around the world. So Rick, tell it like you always do and give a cash discount and educate your customers as to what is going on in the world…..”Consumers are all paying extra on the retail price and erroneously think they are getting a deal when the rebate check comes back”.

  39. Last year while staying at a Pension in Munich, I was asked if we would pay with cash instead of a credit card because ” it would be better for them”. I did,but was surprised as this was the first time I had been asked to do this. By all means provide both options.

  40. I have to defend the fly miles. We have pretty much traveled to Europe over the last decade on miles. Hasn’t cost us anything. As long as you book 8-9 months inadvance and of corse don’t travel on prime vacation holiday times it is very easy to not only get seats, but very good ones. You just have to plan ahead. Also terms with credit and debit change. This year when we went to Ireland my debit card was much more expensive than my 1% Visa card. Debit was 3% plus $5.00 for every transaction, so we used credit. You need to revisit these charges every year.

  41. Rick: Don’t forget that people get points or other rewards for putting their purchases on credit cards. And they don’t necessarily analyze the bigger benefit of a lower price if they pay cash.

  42. Choices could bring its own reward of many more travelers. Paying for a dream trip is a creative event for some. Choices may help more reach their travel desires and joys…:) Happy traveling, everyone!

  43. Well, Rick, you certainly can see what happens when you ask your friends and customers for their opinions about the services you offer. There should be no question about accepting credit cards. These tours are expensive and those of us who have cards that provide points, cash rebates, or whatever want to use them. Some also want to be able to spread their payments over time which they cannot do with a cash payment. Give us the option of either/or. That’s not difficult. Also, as has been mentioned, a credit card charge offers some protection in case of a dispute.

  44. If I have the option of getting a discount if I pay by check, then go ahead and accept credit cards. I generally use my credit card for convenience and I do have a credit card that earns FF miles. However, I do not want to see my tour price go up just to subsidize people who want to earn FF miles on their credit card.

  45. I think you should have several options – cash (lower price), credit (higher price), and an online bill pay/PayPal option (depending on cost, at the lower or higher price). You’re the king of options, Mr. Steves, let your people decide what they want to eat (or not) cost wise…if they’re ok with the 3-5% extra for using their credit card so they can get 3000 frequent flier miles, let them! You are very forthcoming about what you get (and don’t) in your tour advertisements, so posting multiple prices is just another forthright way to let people know what they’re paying for (or not). I myself have to drive a hefty way to go to a “real” bank to get a bank draft check to mail you my tour payment, would much prefer to do an online bank transfer and all it done.

  46. Like many others, show both prices, with clearly-noted “cash” price. If you add explanation of why cash price is less, due to processing fees/percentage imposed by credit card company, it makes it clearer to people. For some, credit card, and paying off over time may be only option if they want to travel with you. But if they have balance in cash, that’s a wonderful option to save money.

  47. As a 28 year old man, I have a rarely-used checkbook collecting dust in a drawer somewhere and never carry more than $50 in my wallet at a time (except for in Japan, a cash society that is ridiculously crime-free … elsewhere I put the extra cash in a money belt because you have taught me well, Rick Steves). I do not know the demographics of your tours, but honestly I’d think that not accepting credit cards would be a much larger deterrent to people of my generation than raising prices by $100 or so. The reality is that customers are already paying a large “convenience fee” by taking a tour rather than traveling independently … what’s another $50~$100 for a credit card “convenience fee”?

  48. How about a $2800 12-day tour paid with a credit card? Ha! Ha! It seems to me that if your competitors are accepting credit cards, then you are not at a competitive disadvantage. However, you will lose your competitive advantage by accepting credits cards. You already have a huge competitive advantage being on t.v. and being recognized for your guide books. You can afford to lose a competitive advantage, so you should give a discount for cash only sales.

  49. Firstly, I have to say that I enjoy the random spam postings that manage to end up on here. Secondly, yes, take credit cards and offer a cash discount clearly stated. I also like the idea of the paypal option others are mentioning.

  50. Continue as you have been doing. All of my European travels have been covered without using a credit card to pay for them; the travel agencies do not accept credit cards for this. Those little pieces of plastic have gotten the whole country into a mindset of have it now, even when it may not be something the person should be buying, and that includes travel of any kind.

  51. Keep things as they are – no credit cards. Altho’, what about debit cards? Funds by debit card come directly out of the persons’ accounts.

  52. I agree with Pam..the whole country seems to be in an “I need it now” mode. Credit card debt is run up until they can no longer make payments and then try to settle their reckless spending for much less than that owed. This in turn ends up costing people who pay their credit cards in full monthly more money. If you do not have the money available or saved for a European vacation you should not be going.

  53. Many businesses would directly or indirectly pay big bucks to have focus groups’ opinions as good as those RS gets simply by asking for input from customers. We are a consuming society and a one or 2 percent savings does not influence our buying habits UNLESS we are among the minority, i.e. supremely intelligent consumers. Then there is also the issue of enjoy now, pay later. The issue of perceived protection offered to a degree by some credit card companies. The convenience factor. The conditioned response factor. And the influence of so-called points or rewards – real or imagined versus savings by paying cash. But obviously Rick gets it.

  54. A $100 savings for cash for a trip to Europe may be also viewed as $100 divided by 12 days = $8.34 per day. That is 2-3 cups of Starbucks coffee or 1 1/2 pints of Guinness. It really isn’t much especially when you are flying 5000 miles or so. I pay cash because that is what you have required but I don’t drive 5 miles to Costco to buy my gas to save 4-6 cents a gallon. Thanks for asking your faithful readers, followers, and travelers. I’m looking forward to getting 2011 tour info to sign up for Villages and Vineyards of Eastern France!

  55. A $100 savings for cash … really isn’t much – you don’t think so? I see it as more than one night’s lodging or maybe four meals. To me $100 is still real money – maybe that’s why I could retire early to travel.

  56. RICK, Not all businesses charge their clients. My Daughter is a dentist and has never added this on a bill, nor does she discount for cash paid. This is because the dental insurance companies have a schedule that is good for a year and the dentist must adhere to this schedule. Does anybody actually pay you in CASH nowadays? What do they do – send it by Certified, Return Request? This seems inconvenient. The reason people like credit or debit cards is that this gives them recourse on a failing company. Many travel agents go out of business every day and escape with all the clients’ money. Also, some cards cover insurance for travel or for failing company or for death or cancellation of trip. Thanks, Rick, for asking our opinion. No chance of your going out of business because, first of all – You are a great orator, thinker, as well as Businessman.

  57. If you give a “discount” to those using cash to pay for tours, I have no problem with your taking credit cards. I agree that the frequent-flyer-miles argument is weak. I am in United’s FF program and figure that my CC purchases are good for no more than 1.5% toward rewards. I would probably continue to pay by check for tours if I get a discount for doing so.

  58. I don’t think that we “embrace” paying for the use of credit cards. But, for some it provides protection. And for others it is an options to pay as they go and spread it out. I will be curious to see if your business picks up considerably if you accept these. It may make up for the extra charges. You also can negotiate with your banks on the percentage fee too. Please let us know down the road if it changes your booking.

  59. I still wouldn’t be able to afford your tours. But I’d prefer to be able to use my debit card – I don’t like to carry a lot of cash and usually make purchases with my debit card, which can also be used as a credit card.

  60. If you ever get tired of running ETBD you could probably teach some businessmen a thing or two! :)

  61. In favor of both options, as long as cash option is at least 5% percent cheaper. As a cash paying customer I refuse to compensate for those who use credit cards and the additional cost associated with charge backs for dishonest individuals. Credit card fees range max out at around 4-4.5%. Otherwise you need to severly restrict which credit cards you accept while providing a discount equal to or greater than the credit card company fees.

  62. I wonder how many of the many responses are from people who have taken one of your tours or better yet, from people who will take a tour. I agree that cc should be an option and I would probably use it to get the FF miles. I have taken three of your tours and will likely take another one.

  63. Good Grief! Haven’t some of the poorer banking practices done enough harm to our financial health. Why should we be forced to pay hundreds of dollars more so we can avoid the 5 minutes it takes to write a check and mail it. Please let us cash folks continue to avoid enriching the banks.

  64. First, I commend you for asking readers for their input – excellent! If I may toss one more comment in, though the polls are now closed, remember that there are many whom, for one reason or another, need to make a trip NOW, if it’s going to ever happen — and that timing may not coincide with cash in the bank. I will never regret the trips I made with my mother and with my sister, both of whom died unexpectedly. If I’d had waited till I had the cash, those memories wouldn’t have been made. Thanks for keeping travel what it should be — a way to keep learning, keep an open mind, and enhance our lives.

  65. Is automatic bill payment an option here? That is how we pay almost all bills now – there is no fee on our end for this (although some customers may pay a nominal fee to their bank) but the money would be automatically transferred to a designated address/ account for Rick Steves. This payment is not run through a credit card. We are about to mail our check for our tour to Italy in September and I am wondering why on line payment is not an option. Regina, St. Paul, MN

  66. I just want to say we just got back from the 17 day best of Italy tour and loved it. But to your question, my response is simple, give the small discount to cash payers and make the credit card users pay full price. If they want the miles(which we use) from the purchase, they can do the math themselves. Choice is never a bad thing, and based on the tour I was just on, your customer base is pretty smart. They can figure it out themselves.

  67. Earning money has online never been this easy and transparent. You would find great tips on how to make that dream amount every month. So go ahead and click here for more details and open floodgates to your online income. All the best.

Comments are closed.