Travel Trouble

Ok.  As most of you know, I travel a lot.  I have been to Mexico, Dominican Republic, Belize, Nicaragua, Panama, and, of course, Costa Rica.  My latest trip was to Colombia.  My friend, Orlando, and I had a layover here to years ago and we always wanted to go back.  We finally made it back.

The city is beautiful with lots of activities from relaxing botanical gardens to energy infused nightclubs.  The men come in all shapes and sizes and are beautiful.  They will receive no complaints (wink, wink) in any department. We had some of the most heavenly food and drink.  We stayed at the GHL Comfort Los Heroes which was clean, up to date, and the best service we have ever had.

We had one problem though.  It was with my debit card.  Now you need to realize that I have used this card in all of the places up above.  I called a week before I left like I usually like I do to let them know I will be visiting Colombia.  I was informed that the process may take 3 to 5 business days. I was upset with them, because the card would be working on the last day we were there.  I had to accept it whether I wanted to or not.

I waited the five business day and guess what it wasn't working. I called the company to find out what happened.  I was told to try the card again in an ATM in 40 minutes.  I did and no luck.  I called again and was told to try another ATM.  I did and no luck.  I tried 3 more ATM's and a storefront and still no luck. After 8 hours, I was told that due to money laundering fraud that the bank will decline all transactions in Colombia.  I was then told that the agents that I had 1st spoken to a week and a half before knew this.  Needless to say I was furious.

So either I was never given the correct information or none of them knew what they were doing.  My debit card is the Paycheck Plus Card. Don't use it.  The bank is Metabank.  Don't use any product that is attached to Metabank.

I wasted my entire last day of vacation.  We have very little money to eat on.  Luckily I can miss a meal or two.  We luckily have everything paid so we can get home.  Come 2017. I will be changing banks and cards.  I need a real bank that has real customer service.

To wrap up, make sure your credit cards and debit cards work in the destinations you are going to visit and always take a lot of extra cash just in case.  Over and out from Bogota Colombia