Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
maiden name, or your Social Security number—memorize this,
don't carry a copy). If you are the secondary cardholder, you'll also
need to provide the primary cardholder's identification-verification
details. You can generally receive a temporary card within two or
three business days in Europe.
If you promptly report your card lost or stolen, you typically
won't be responsible for any unauthorized transactions on your
account, although many banks charge a liability fee of $50.
Tipping
Tipping in Europe isn't as automatic and generous as it is in the
US, but for special service, tips are appreciated, if not expected. As
in the US, the proper amount depends on your resources, tipping
philosophy, and the circumstances, but some general guidelines
apply.
Restaurants:
Tipping is an issue only at restaurants that have
table service. If you order your food at a counter, don't tip.
At Dutch and Belgian restaurants that have wait staff, service
is included, although it's common to round up the bill after a good
meal (usually 5-10 percent; so, for an €18.50 meal, pay €20).
Taxis:
To tip the cabbie, round up. For a typical ride, round
up about 5-10 percent (to pay a €4.50 fare, give €5; or for a €28
fare, give €30). If the cabbie hauls your bags and zips you to the
airport to help you catch your flight, you might want to toss in
a little more. But if you feel like you're being driven in circles or
otherwise ripped off, skip the tip.
Special Services:
It's thoughtful to tip a euro to someone
who shows you a special sight and who is paid in no other way.
Tour guides at public sites often hold out their hands for tips after
they give their spiel; if I've already paid for the tour, I don't tip
extra, though some tourists do give a euro, particularly for a job
well done. I don't tip at hotels, but if you do, give the porter about
a euro for carrying bags and leave a couple of euros in your room
at the end of your stay for the maid if the room was kept clean. In
general, if someone in the service industry does a super job for you,
a tip of a euro or two is appropriate...but not required.
When in doubt, ask.
If you're not sure whether (or how
much) to tip for a service, ask your hotelier or the tourist informa-
tion office; they'll fill you in on how it's done on their turf.
Getting a VAT Refund
Wrapped into the purchase price of your souvenirs is a Value
Added Tax (VAT) of about 19 percent in the Netherlands and 21
percent in Belgium. If you make a purchase of more than a certain
amount (€50 in the Netherlands, €125.01 in Belgium) at a store
that participates in the VAT-refund scheme, you're entitled to get
