payment in Tonga

hi all,
I remember reading a great Tongan travel report (I'm sure it was on thorn tree) where somebody elaborated on the cost of paying with credit card (fees and exchange rate) vs taking cash for Tongan holiday accommodation, but I can't seem to find it again.
Can anybody recall the message I am thinking off or feels a calling to make a comparison as to where is the best place to exchange money (Home country, Tongan ATM, airport-I assume not, credit card despite the fees,...)
Thanks, Marthune

You will get good rates at the airport or with the Western Union office near the Dateline.

Yes, if anyone can point us in the right direction, it would be a great find. I was in shock when my credit card statement arrived with a hefty "foreign transaction" fee for a MINIMAL deposit on a hotel. Another hotel wanted to charge an additional 4% for booking with my credit card (transaction fee) but I wasn't about to pay an extra 4%, plus another "foreign transaction" fee, then get gouged on the exchange, just to book a hotel. Soon that hotel would cost me twice as much! I politely told them of the exorbitant fees and that if they wanted my business, they were going to have to beleive me that I would show up. The agreed although a bit reluctantly. However, other places I am dealing with have ALL agreed to accept my payment in cash when I arrive or at the time of the service. I plan to pay with cash for everything and only use a credit card in an emergency.

We have just arrived back from Tonga (loved it!) and I can report the following:
Charging the extra 4% credit card fee seems to be a common thing in Tonga. We paid with cash as much as possible, withdrawing money from the Westpac ATM in Nuku'alofa as needed with our credit card.
Being Kiwi's we paid with bank transfer into the accounts of Kiwi-owners, cash everywhere else. This is easy enough, as Tonga is a rather small country and as long as you stay on Tongatapu, you are never far away from Nuku'alofa. We went to Ha'apai, which doesn't have an ATM, so some planning is required if you are planning on some time on the islands (not sure about Vava'u), but we found you hardly encounter unexpected expenses anyway.

Charging the extra 4% credit card fee seems to be a common thing in Tonga.

If you are a Kiwi then you don't have to pay the 4% in Tonga. It's illegal.

Just refuse to pay it. if they charge you, then you can have the entire bill refunded, not just the 4%.

I tried to tell my boss to include the 4% in the rack rate, and then discount for cash, but she wouldn't listen.

Follow this link http://www.tongaholiday.com/?page_id=1074
This is a list of all ATM locations on Tonga.