arthow
7/11/2013 17:32 EST
I am relocating back to Panama in late July(Boquete actually) and making several day's stop over in Panama City first.I made arrangements at the Hotel California over the phone today and inquired about my pensionado or jubilado discount also.The receptionist who spoke very broken English told me that these discounts were only available for"Panama nationals".I tried to explain that i had the same privileges as anyone else regardless because i have the proper card,ect.She told me she would discuss this with me upon my arrival.
As far as my full understanding there is no catch 22 concerning these discounts as long as i am approved pensionado which i most certainly am!
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cquilez
7/11/2013 20:16 EST
as long as ur a legal resident of panama and all that stuff - no problemo. may not just get it over the phone but ur good to go once ur here
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panamaguy
7/11/2013 21:00 EST
If you have your official document or the card provided to you by the Republic of Panama yes they must afford you the discount you have at issue here.There are no known acceptions.
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tharin4prez
7/12/2013 13:43 EST
Once in a while, you may run into a place that chooses NOT to honor a Jubilado. How far do you want to push it? Call the policia?
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arthow
7/12/2013 14:15 EST
I will push it as far as i can or at least report them to the proper authorities if need be!
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panamaexpat
7/12/2013 14:36 EST
What type of place are u referring to? Restaurants and hotels for example are required to give you the jubilado discount, but not places like fondas (a fonda is a mom&pop Establishment where u can eat rice beans and a piece of meat for anywhere between $2/$3) or street vendors.
There is a consumers advocate office called ACODECO, which lists all establishments where jubilados can get a discount (available on the internet also).
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tharin4prez
7/12/2013 15:14 EST
I don't often claim jubilado status simply because prices are already reasonable. Mostly because I still work and I'm not on a limited monthly budget as others are. In PC for example there are some big named places such as a few hotels & restaurants that will claim they cannot afford the expat the privilege as suggested above. They do this because their business isn't going to hurt w/ out your patronage and they count on the fact that you won't go and tell on them.
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panamaexpat
7/12/2013 15:50 EST
Congratulations tharin.
I don't feel bad about asking The Riu hotel and its restaurants for example for our discounts (which we always get, never been denied), but I would feel terribly ashamed if I went to a mom-and-pop fonda especially in the interior (sometimes they are less than a fonda more like a kiosk) and asked for a discount on a $2 plate in order to save $0.08!!!
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arthow
7/12/2013 17:13 EST
As i plainly mentioned it is a hotel in P.C. but i am sure it will be no real problem one i show them my card.
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arthow
7/12/2013 17:16 EST
Never the less it is the law.I wouldn't push it if a mom and pop place ect,However,i paid a lot for it and plan to use it accordingly!
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tharin4prez
7/13/2013 13:26 EST
I use my discount towards my utilities. We rarely go to big named eateries and can count on one hand how many times we've stayed at a hotel in PC in the last decade. Even if I weren't still working, I'm not sure I'd claim the discount too often simply because asking for a discount because of a status makes me feel weird.
The only time I get a military discount in the states is when I open my wallet, and while reaching for my debit card, the kid at the counter sometimes sees my retired ID card and then tells me I get a discount on my purchase.
Atthow ... you use a lot of "!!" in your above's. I hope you're not one of the expats that come here and through around your demands as some others do. Brings a bad name to those of us that call this place home. Panama doesn't work well with those that demand ... Asking politely always works best.. If refused, politely tell them you won't return in the future. I truly hope the hotel Cali gives you the discount you ask for. It's the right thing for them to do.
Just sayin
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arthow
7/13/2013 15:25 EST
Tharin,first of all i worked in the hospitality industry or many years and and know what it is like to be polite and not rude and demanding and like to think i do have some class too.Also, i lived previously in Panama City for nearly a year but only received my full pensionado card the day before relocated back to the states mid last July.However,if i am denied at any establishment for taking advantage of something that is the law and i have paid for it is my duty to NOT simply except and walk away but to inform them that they are subject to this law and i am going to act accordingly.I paid over $1,300 for this status and like any other person that has it deserves the full discounts that comes with.It is the establishment that is at fault not i.It can work both way's with taking advantage on being a "gingo".If all of us just casually walked away without the right action then we would deserve being treated as just another naive gringo .It can be a matter of principal also.Of course if it is some small mom&pop trying to save on just a few dollars for some real bargain anyways that is a different matter.There is nothing wrong with sticking up for something that is rightfully available.I have several Panamanian friends that have told me that the same as i have stated here also and regardless of my nationality it i should always act as they would in this matter too.Their way of thinking is that if one lets any establishment get away with not honoring the jublilado it only enforces their notion they can do can reject this law to anyone regardless.
I don't want to really debate this issue any further and if it is your feeling or choice not to use your card as often as you could on most things that is fine too.However, i am sure many of us are going to put it to good use just as the Panamanian government has made available and intended this benefit for all that are eligible!
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arthow
7/13/2013 23:02 EST
Yes,i think we both made our point and no ill will intended here either.
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islandantoinette
7/13/2013 23:57 EST
Americans are still guests in Panama. This card does not give you citizenship. Panama does not HAVE to allow Americans in their country, to visit, live or stay. Many Americans "think" they do. But legally they do not. It is THEIR country a concept many Americans have difficulty understanding when they go all over the world taking over and over throwing whole governments and countries. Panama allows Americans in as GUESTS not citizens. To have full citizenship rights you need to apply for citizenship in full taking years. Then if you still want to exercise your "rights" you think you have it is appropriate. Other wise Americans are GUESTS only.
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arthow
7/14/2013 01:17 EST
islandantionette,what does that have to do with the pensionado?You know anything about it?Perhaps you should read up on it before you make any brash assumptions.The government of Panama made this available also "gringos" to attract us to Panama and they don't seem hung up as the likes of you seem to be concerning Americans.I am quite aware of being a guest but the pensionado wasn't just given to us.We paid for plenty of bucks for it and it is the law regardless of being a guest or no guest!
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panamaguy
7/14/2013 01:52 EST
While I agree with the last comment what has happened on this site is endless disagreements.Lets forget some peoples hang ups and stay on the topic.
Otherwise she will go on and on!
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islandantoinette
7/14/2013 02:28 EST
We have begun our Pensionado Visa with a reputable attorney
so I am fully aware of what it is, what is represents, and
what it is all about. However one must use it with discretion,
prudence and respect for what it represents -not just what it "is".
One can be stubborn and insistent but one may find that a person might just get a room next to a noisy kitchen, or the room be such poor quality that it is the room no one wants. Reserved for that UA (Ugly American). But they did give you the discount and they did give you the room, so they are in the clear. The old saying you catch more flies with honey than vinegar comes to mind.
I am thankful I see money in a totally different light.
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arthow
7/14/2013 09:39 EST
islandantoinette.there you go again.If you really read other than what only you wanted too you would know my intentions are not to approach any establishment being rude and rude.Only if i was wrongly denied would i be assertive.This is my last comment on this subject so knock yourself out!
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bluewind
7/14/2013 13:11 EST
islandantoinette,
your posts seem to protray all Americans as ugly, and that all they deserve is the room next to a noisy kitchen, and should feel lucky to even get that. during my two trips to panama, i ran into some ugly panamanians, but the majority were real nice and helpful. the same could be said for americans.
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panamaguy
7/14/2013 13:24 EST
islandantoinette
Your posts are again way off the topic and quite frankly are becoming rude,crude and socially unacceptable.
Enough nonsense..you bash everything you write about.Panama does not need such behaviour as basically Panamanians are a peaceful people struggling to get by day to day.If you dislike America that much perhaps you should give up all ties and forgo your social security as how could you live off of such a terrible country and people.No I am not American but I have many many close good friends that are American so stop all these rude comments or stay in Hawaii.Panama is no place for such anger!
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cquilez
7/14/2013 14:56 EST
ok kids. what's up? there's no catch 22 - question answered - so wtf is all this the rest of this stuff about? how about closing the playground and get back to getting along and move on already. and hey arthow, welcome back to panama!
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cicero3
7/22/2013 15:17 EST
If I may asked a related question, how do you deal with it when a business tries to stick you with the gringo price, which is 50% more for the same product he just charged a Panamanian?
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arthow
7/22/2013 15:59 EST
Cicer3,It's the law for all retirees in Panama and some business is better than no business and seems the government of Panama feels likewise!
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cicero3
7/22/2013 16:55 EST
I'm not talking about the jubilado discount. I'm talking about buying vegetables from a truck where they charge gringos 50% more than they just charged a local for the same product.
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tharin4prez
7/22/2013 17:20 EST
It happens occasionally. When it does, tell him he's a ledron and move on to the next stand or the next drive by town truck. Put up with it and they'll continue to charge as they do.
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islandantoinette
7/23/2013 07:46 EST
Before jumping to assumptions about everyone being on Social Security in or from America as some have on this thread; I certainly am not! Thank you to those with reason who read these threads. As two people have taken it upon themselves to gang up on some posters in here.
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panamajames
7/23/2013 18:43 EST
When you find out such things, you present it to that vendor and demand the lower price. You can ask to see his license. You can suggest that you will report him. It's the same as you would do in North America.
If you don't jump on it, then that person feels he can get away with it, and expands his process. They are people, and can be made to feel guilty about what they do.....if it is wrong.
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panamajames
7/23/2013 19:15 EST
The people here are not much different than the folks in North America. There are street hustlers and there are some really good genuine people, and those in between. Just keep them honest and feeling good about what they do......
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cicero3
7/23/2013 20:49 EST
Thanks for the good advice. There is a language barrier, however, two other regular customers of his at that location are gringa friends, so we can work together to get the best price.
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Oeste
7/23/2013 21:00 EST
I post only for information and in the interest of safety and health of others. Im on social security because Im a wounded veteran and I lost half of my entitlement and would have lost it all after 20 years of working long hours and military and 7 years of college. Rick RRT I lived in Costa Rica for many years off and on and had patients relatives there and friends who provided used medical equipment there and t/o the world.
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