Newfoundland Travel Tips... Why should I contact my credit card companies before I leave? You want to notify them of your trip. The unfamiliar spending patterns might cause them to suspect that the card is being used fraudulently and delay your approvals. They will be able to explain many of the services that they can provide while you are on your trip. How can my credit card company help prepare me for my trip? You can arrange to pay bills that will come due while you are gone. They will be aware that you will be making charges from another country. They will be able to give you an idea of how acceptable their credit card is in that particular country. They can verify acceptance at certain foreign locations. They will be able to see if your PIN number will work in the countries you are visiting. They can also issue you another PIN number if your current PIN is unacceptable to the foreign bank’s system. They can explain cash advance, ATM, foreign purchase and foreign exchange rate policies and fees. They can explain any services they offer, such as, extra insurance for your rental car, luggage or purchases. Make sure the coverage offered extends outside the United States and will be valid in all the countries where you’ll be traveling. Also, be sure to note any other exceptions. They may need to give you another phone number to call in case you need to reach them. The 800 number listed on the back of your card may not work from foreign locations. You can find out if they charge a currency conversion fee, so you can find the most economical card on which to place your foreign purchases. Should I use my ATM card while traveling? Yes, you’ll have access to cash during your trip so you won’t have to take as much cash with you and using your ATM card can also be a good way to get cash in foreign countries. The ATM will issue money in local currency. You should exchange at the bank’s wholesale exchange rate. You may still want to shop around to different banks since some will charge a high usage fee for their ATMs. Although, even high ATM fees may be less than others will charge for currency exchanges. Don't wait until you're out of money to go to an ATM, the machines can run out of money or break down. What should I know about using travelers checks? If the particular brand of travel checks are accepted in the country you’ll be visiting. How widely they are accepted within the countries you’ll be visiting. Any fees for purchasing and using the travel checks. The travelers check company’s loss, replacement and refund policies. How can I protect my travelers’ checks while traveling? Take the same precautions you would to protect your cash. Be sure to learn and follow the procedures required if you lose your travelers checks. You’ll also need to make copies of your travel checks before you go and keep separate from them the following information. The serial numbers of the travelers checks. The denomination of the travelers checks. The date and location of their purchase. The phone number to call to report them missing. How can I save money on my Rental Car rates? Shopping the Internet can be the quickest and best way to compare many Rental Car rates. If you are planning on purchasing extra items such as a damage waiver or insurance, you should also comparison shop those rates. Make sure their mileage policy is favorable to you so you can avoid extra charges. Airport fees can be quite large so you might see if it is worth it to use an off-airport facility. However, if the off-airport company picks you up at the airport, you'll probably still have to pay some of the fee. You can check their national reservation centers and their local offices; one may be offering a better deal than the other. ASK, if this is the best rate they have available. Make your reservation as soon as you have decided on plans. Most Rental Car Companies increase their rates as reservations come in and their fleets become booked. Also, certain classes of cars will sell out and you may have to end up reserving and paying for a larger vehicle than you want. Being flexible about your travel plans can save you money. Rental Companies that focus on the business or replacement market customers often have great weekend specials. The best rates are found during the off season and at other times when the Rental Companies have extra cars sitting around. Check into booking your vacation as a package. You might be able to save by booking your car along with a certain airline, hotel or attraction ticket package. Book the smallest car that you will need and hope for a free upgrade. But, remember you may get stuck with that small car. Check into other size class vehicles. They may have extra cars in a certain class and be offering discounts for that size class. Use coupons, but read them carefully for exceptions. Most upgrade coupons are "based on availability", so if you have an upgrade coupon that you wish to use and also have a monetary discount coupon, bring them both. If they can’t honor the upgrade, they may still give you the monetary discount. Also, remember to book any coupons or discounts in your reservation. Apply any special discount programs for which you are eligible. When you get to the counter, ask if there are any upgrade specials available, they might have some good deals. Currency It is recommended that visitors use Canadian funds in Newfoundland. A good rate of exchange is offered at all banks, trust companies and credit unions. Banks are generally open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Taxes & Visitor Rebates In Newfoundland, a 15% sales tax applies to most purchases, and most goods and services are subject to the Tax (HST). In additional 3% tax is levied by local municipal governments on Accommodations. If you reside outside Canada, you may be eligible to reclaim Tax paid on purchases and accommodation during your visit. Expenses must total at least $200 (Canadian), before taxes; each receipt must total at least $50 (Canadian) before taxes. It is imperative that your receipts get stamped before you leave Canada; no refund will be issued otherwise. Visitors can get their receipts stamped at participating duty-free shops for an immediate refund (up to $500 Canadian) or at Canada Customs Offices, for a mail-back refund. Foreign Visitor Rebates – Independent Travelers Foreign visitors may claim a full rebate of GST or HST paid on goods they take out of the country within 60 days of purchase, on short-term accommodation. Short-term accommodation is defined as less than one month per location, with no limit on the number of locations. However, the visitor rebate cannot be claimed for the GST or HST paid on alcohol, tobacco or gasoline for personal use. How to make a claim - Duty Free Shops Claims may be made by visitors by submitting receipts, with a one-page form, at participating duty free shops, where they will receive an instant cash rebate of up to $500 in Canadian funds. Revenue Canada Mail your receipts, along with the application form to: Revenue Canada Visitors Rebate Program, Summerside Tax Centre Summerside, PEI C1N 6C6