What payment methods do yacht charter brokers accept?
Yacht charter brokers accept wire transfer first and credit cards second. Wire transfer to the broker’s escrow account is the universal default — fees are low, the contract amount is locked, and the funds clear in 24–72 hours. Credit cards work for deposits under $50,000 but carry a 2–3% processing fee that the broker passes through. American Express has the highest fee, Visa and Mastercard the lowest. Personal checks and cashier’s checks are accepted by US-based brokers but rarely outside the US; clearance times push payment timing toward the contract deadline. Cryptocurrency is accepted by a handful of brokers but uncommon. APA at the captain’s end is usually wired direct or paid in cash. The booking process spells out the payment flow.