Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Lake Jocassee


The past 15 years we have driven past Jocassee Gorges entrance located in North and South Carolina. Many times we pulled off to view the seasonal colors at Upper Whitewater Falls, but never traveled into the area.

Adventurous friends asked last week to join them for a Driving Tour and Sunset Picnic on Jumping-Off-Rock within the gorge available from Jocassee Lake Tours Company. Concerns about the chilly weather, we bundled up with jackets and layers of warm clothing.

Jumping-Off-Rock, an iconic viewpoint above Lake Jocassee in northern Pickens County, can now be accessed all year round. We stopped at several overlooks along the 9-mile ride to one of the most beautiful views of Lake Jocassee and the Blue Ridge Mountains with few signs of human development.

National Geographic Magazine identified Jocassee Gorges as one the top 50 of "The World's Last Great Places." Visitors can grasp a true sense of the vast extent of undisturbed countryside.

Several non-governmental organization‘s connected the 200,000 acres to protect 60 species of rare plants including Oconee Bells. Designating Jocassee Gorges as an internationally important bird area, there is a fund raising campaign underway to build an observation tower on the highest mountain.

While we only saw wild turkeys the article went on to explain falcons, bald eagles, black bears, bobcats, and the highest number of salamanders found anywhere in the world reside in these hills.

As you can see from our photo, Lake Jocassee 9000 acres and a 385 foot deep reservoir offered a stunning sunset. The lake was named after the Cherokee Princess Jocassee ("Place Of The Lost One"), who, legend has it, drowned herself upon learning of her lover's death.

Ironically, Duke Energy flooded the valley in 1974 and constructed a hydroelectric power station impounding the waters of the Whitewater, Thompson, Horsepasture and Toxaway Rivers.

If you’re in the area, JocasseeLakeTours.com has a variety of boating and hiking opportunities on the lake from morning to sunset. Next time I think we will try the monthly full moon relaxing pontoon ride to enjoy the pristine wilderness with waterfalls from of the Appalachian Mountain Rivers that feed the lake. Guided kayak and adventure tours are also available most of the year. We also found information on the dnr.sc.gov website as well.

While neighbors spoke of the beauty and wilderness only twenty minutes away, I wish we had explored this scenic expanse sooner.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

RCI


As one of the 3.8 million timeshare members, with 35K exchange options in 108 countries I recently contacted their corporate office with a few questions about our RCI coupon credit due to a cancellation the first weekend in September. 

This was our second attempt to visit Edisto, South Carolina. Last year it was Hurricane Matthew and this time Hurricane Irma blew away hopes of seeing the natural environment after the governor of South Carolina declared a mandatory evacuation the night before our September 9th arrival.
In 2006 we purchased a two bedroom lock-off on eBay for $26. The seller had paid the $900 annual fee and we were responsible for $350 in transaction / closing fees. I understood very little about RCI, Resorts Condominium International, now owned by Wyndham Resorts Worldwide with an annual $99 fee available only to timeshare owners.

One ponders how RCI decides the trading value of the week like we own at Vacation Villages. Some years it's 39 points, the following year could be 37. With questions about my coupon credit the customer service rep passed me on to a supervisor.
She told me point values are reviewed every year or two based on amenities, unit size, access, membership ratings/reviews and returning owners contribute to the resorts supply and demand. Each resort has a point system based the time of year and an exchange fee of $239. This has gone up from the $169 we paid in 2006.

RCI offers a Hold service for a unit, about 24 hours. If one has not confirmed / paid for the unit, your points are refunded and the week returned to inventory. Our preference is a 1 or 2 bedroom unit with a full kitchen and a balcony. This photo was taken on Fairfield Lake at the Wyndham Resort in Sapphire Valley, NC.   
We haven't attempted to use RCI's services to book a cruise, car rental, special hotel deals, guided vacations, theme park and attractions. I am curious about the destination activities & Last-Minute Vacations starting at $199 per week (no points required).

Out of curiosity I looked up prepay full size auto rental on a pending trip next spring. I found RCI was $50+ per week less than other quotes like Expedia. While not a huge savings, it still adds up.
Other timeshare companies include Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Wyndham, Interval International, and Diamond Resorts. While we have enjoyed quite the variety of 2.5 - 5.0 star resorts each is a new adventure that keeps planning another journey using our RCI membership. 

Monday, August 28, 2017

EU Airline Compensation


Chatting with a friend recently, she mentioned their 6 hour delay departing London due to engine repairs. When they finally arrived in Orlando she was handed an airline apology letter with a $25 Planet Hollywood gift card. 
Her husband was researching European Union Airline laws and she asked if I was familiar with the policy. I told her about our situation when we were bumped off an Air France compensated €300 each.

The irony was we had booked our flights using Delta points. Delta reassigned us to Air France and they bumped us back to the original Delta flight so we had a profit of $742 US in addition to the free flights. Thankfully we were given our refund at Charles de Gaulle airport before boarding.

Online I found information on European Union passenger rights regulations. EU and non-EU registered airlines are liable for monetary damages for lengthy delays over 2 hours or cancellations provided they are arrivals, departures, or flights within the European Union.

One may file a claim up to €250 on a flight fewer than 1500 km or up to €400 for a flight of 1500 to 3500 kilometers. For a flight more than 3500 kilometers one may claim up to €300 for a delay of 3 to 4 hours up to €600 or £509 for delay more than 4 hours. If you don't wish to file the paperwork yourself there are plenty of companies online to assist.

If an airline rejects the claim, a complaint may be lodged with the National Enforcement Body regarding your passenger rights in the case of a long delay, cancellation, denied boarding under regulation (EC) 261/2004. The NEB will then give a ruling explaining why a damage claim should or should not be paid.

My friend boasted they might be receiving £300 each. I told her I believed it would be close to twice that and offered to take only a 10% surcharge on anything over the £509. Her response, How about lunch?

Saturday, August 19, 2017

180,000 Hilton Honors Points Richer


Thanks to the two American Express credit cards. Here is an update from my June 2nd blog.

It’s amazing how those bills come around like auto insurance(s), home insurance, electricity (we pay ahead), vacation expenses, rental car, gasoline, meals, etc. Yes, every monthly statement is paid off.

We used the Hilton Surpass Card for the first $3K in purchases within 3 months. The second Hilton Honors card does not have an annual fee or other perks and only required $2K in purchases within 3 months.

Biggest surprise... Foreign Transaction Fees! In the past my AmEx card waived Foreign Currency Charges. I assumed it was a universal policy throughout the company. I had not done my homework. After the first Login I found all those Canadian dollars converted to USD for a 2.7% fee.

Reviewing the small print terms, my favorite clause, ˜The conversion rate we (AmEx) use is no more than the highest official rate published by a government agency or the highest interbank rate we identify from customary banking sources on the conversion date or the prior business day.’

While my fees did not exceed $12, would have been nice to know...

In the August issue of Travel and Leisure Magazine I read a sidebar on Hilton Setting a New Standard. Apparently the author didn’t check with IHG MasterCard. Many of the same benefits, first year free, then $49 afterward, no foreign transaction fees, but they missed the best perk, no category restrictions on the anniversary night unlike Hilton and Marriott.  

Yesterday I attempted to use my Hilton Points to book multiple hotel stays for next spring. What a challenge, not only were they twice the points of an IHG Crown Plaza or Holiday Inn Express I could not find one of the 50 properties to work with Points and Money as the article boasted.

Curious I pulled up IHG for the same dates and locations. As little as 10K points I found multiple places to sleep. My sidebar, always sign up for the Accelerated Programs. Once I qualified for 50K bonus points above the basics. Hubby still talks about the free IHG anniversary night at the Crown Plaza Kensington UK, a value of 499 BPS as mentioned in my May 8th blog.

Now I am pondering if it will be difficult to use the Hilton anniversary night next June. Hopefully we’ll be pleasantly surprised and enjoy a delightful room in the perfect location. 

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Touristy Taxes



My Tip! The server proclaimed to a table of four adults beside us in an upscale pizza restaurant. The small credit card machine printed out the customer's receipt. All four looked unfazed, and did not leave a monetary token behind.

Adjusting to the newest way to pay using a chip technology machine has probably cost many a wayward waiter their proper percentage. A few weeks ago in Canada we enjoyed numerous meals and not a duplicate handheld machine. Some wait staffers were over compensated while others had an extra few dollars as we miscalculated a gratuity.

The first meal we charged I thought the tip was included due to the 15% Canadian Tourist Tax on goods and services. Even the hotel parking fee had the additional 15% HST tax. Later that week, we were charged an even higher tax percentage on our lobster roll at Peggy's Cove.

In the US bold letters remind us 'Gratuity Not Included' on the lower half of the dinner checks in touristy beach areas. Last week we saw it in Tifton, Georgia. Then there's the Hotel Room Occupancy Tax in larger US cities like New York City (19%), Miami (6%) and San Francisco (14%).

By far the biggest tax surprise was the one paid to 'leave' Prince Edward Island. Entry is free and departing via the new toll bridge between New Brunswick and PEI listed $49 CDN. I am still trying to calculate the rate by way of Northumberland Ferries Ltd from Woods Islands, PEI to Caribou, Nova Scotia which included a 75 minute ride, 2 adults with vehicle for only $77 CDN.

BFL Digby, Nova Scotia to Saint John, New Brunswick, a 2.5 hour ride was $188 CDN. I used Ferries.ca to book both trips. They run promotions in April and May. If you use them for a crossing, the sofa and cushy seating were a pleasant surprise in addition to the chowders and fish dish. 

One never expects to pay for the convenience of an information kiosk or visitor center. So smile and graciously accept the free beautiful brochure and area map, if you need it. Realizing your tourist tax contribution is going to inform future visitors about the place you just enjoyed.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass Price Increase


US citizens have a variety of options. There are passes for Military, Volunteers, 4th Graders, Access/ Disability, and Seniors to enjoy our 2,000 US Parks. Children under 15 are admitted free.

On August 28, 2017 the Lifetime Pass for US citizens or permanent residents 62 years or older will increase from $10 to $80. Golden Age Passports are no longer sold and will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass.

Each pass includes entry fees at national parks and wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle up to four adults at sites that charge per person OR one motorcycle OR pass holder up to four adults at sites that charge per person.

A new Annual Senior Pass is available for $20, valid for one full year from month of purchase (through last day of that month) in federally operated recreation sites across the country.

At many locations the Senior Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). The pass program is managed by six Federal agencies that operate under different regulations and have different fees. Therefore, the discount program for the Senior Pass is not handled in the same way on all Federal recreation lands.

Photo identification will be required to verify ownership. Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. FREE Annual Pass for current US Military and their dependents, Volunteers who contribute 250 or more hours and US 4th Grade Students

100% of sale proceeds go back into improving and enhancing federal recreation sites. More details are available NPS.gov or Recreation.gov for state site locations. Be sure to check out the Share The Experience Photo Contest.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Thanks Canada and Happy 150th!


Researching our 8 day trip from Portland, Maine making a loop through Canada's Maritimes south eastern coast, I overlooked an important tidbit.
The 2017 Canadian 150 / Discovery Pass available to all visitors. This included free admission to all national parks, marine conservation areas and historic sites administered by Parks Canada through December 31, 2017.

With the small green hang tag one may enter Canada’s national treasures from the Prince Edward Islands to British Columbia's Pacific Rim National Park. Find out about Canada 150 events and activities on the Passport 2017 App or Canada.pch.gc.ca online.

We enjoyed this beautiful country and the friendly people from New Brunswick’s Saint John with reversing tides, on to photographing the Bay of Fundy Coast line's 47 feet tidal changes and Hopewell Rock formations.

Three days in Prince Edward Island staying in Charlottetown. The second morning one of the Rendez-vous Naval 2017 Tall Ships docked at the end of Queen Street just beyond our hotel. Over a hundred of sailors suspended from the ship’s masks sung French melodies.

PEI was everything we had read about, miles of bike trails though green meadows and along the beach. Our Canada 150 pass allowed free entry to these parks with red clay and white beaches. On the southern part of the island, Victoria’s artsy community glowed in the afternoon sun.

Next we traveled by ferry from the Wood’s Islands to Caribou, Nova Scotia and into Halifax for another three days. Peggy’s Cove, Lunenburg, and the Halifax Maritime Museum gave us even more photo opportunities. The waterfront boardwalk was swamped as we meandered between restaurants and the Farmer’s Market.

An evening ferry took us from Digby back to Saint John as we returned to Portland. If you have some spare time, take advantage of our northern neighbor’s generous offer and help Canada celebrate 150!  

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Avoiding Credit Card Surprises


Many times we have witnessed travelers with piles of merchandise at the checkout counter have their credit cards declined. They did not alert their card company prior to an international departure.

On a business trip to Venezuela several years ago I notified MasterCard of our plans. Two days after our return I had an odd cell call as the voice read off my full name. Stopped in my tracks this individual had my attention as I rarely share this tidbit with anyone.

Her position was with the MasterCard fraud department. She inquired if I had returned from Venezuela as scheduled. Yes, we did. Therefore I did not purchase $1800 at a men's store in Medellin, Colombia earlier today, correct?

I assured her I had not, but there was a brief layover in Medellin on our return flight to the states. I purchased a novelty pen for my father in an airport Khios. The retailer had difficulty with the transaction and I should have walked away. Instead I allowed her to printing my number on the store receipt.

Making a mental note to check my bill later, in retrospect I should have snapped a picture of the nice older lady. My credit card was canceled and a new one in route. The following months I was asked to review each statement and sign affidavits concerning the bogus charges.

Another issue, the individual has pin ready to with drawl a stash of local currency from the ATM but the financial institution prompts an alert of unusual activity in a foreign location. The ATM does not return the card holding it hostage until the bank reopens. 

This occurred before Smart Chip Technology. Today I login to MasterCard and Visa / Chase, Citi, Barclay, etc. to search for the travel notifications category. It's so convenient to use the calendar and type in the countries one plans to visit. I also double check each card for any mention of foreign transaction fees.

We usually speak to an American Express representative that assures us there is no need to inform them of our upcoming international plans. I will carry their card on this next trip, and hope not to experience an embarrassing declined card situation while purchasing numerous native knickknacks. If so, I’ll pull out my informed MasterCard. One does not wish to deprive friends and family a functional souvenir trinket like a pen.