Important Notice To Credit Card Users
Due to US credit card processors' unwillingness to serve airline operations in the Middle East, Gryphon contracted with National Bank of Kuwait to process its credit cards. This was the only option available to Gryphon at the time. We are grateful to the National Bank of Kuwait for their assistance in this matter. Unfortunately, this method of processing creates not only significant complexities for Gryphon, but also confusion for its passengers regarding Gryphon's fares.
Out of necessity, purchases made by Gryphon's passengers must be submitted in weekly batches to the Kuwaiti credit card processing system. Your purchase may take up to 10 days to appear on your bank statement. These purchases are inputted in Kuwaiti Dinars (KD). Gryphon converts the US Dollar (USD) purchase price at the "then" current USD-KD conversion rate. The National Bank of Kuwait then passes these KD charges through the network to the passenger's bank. Regrettably, when the purchase notice is passed to the passenger's bank in KD, the passenger's bank charges the passenger a fee to convert the Kuwaiti Dinar transaction back to US dollars.
Gryphon makes no money on the conversion fees charged by the passenger's bank. In fact, Gryphon must pay 3% of the ticket purchase price to the National Bank of Kuwait to process its credit card transactions.
Therefore, the charge that appears on the passenger's monthly credit card statement will be greater than the USD amount found on Gryphon's website. Given the fluctuations of currency rates and variances between the fees each individual bank charges, Gryphon is unable to provide the final USD ticket price that will appear on the passenger's monthly statement.
Gryphon has petitioned the US credit card processors who handle airline ticket purchases to reconsider Gryphon's application. We are hopeful that a change is forthcoming. In the meantime, Gryphon asks for your understanding. Also, if you require a statement on our letterhead to cover these charges, please let us know and we can provide that. US Travel Regulations allow you to get reimbursed for these charges.
Gryphon sincerely appreciates your patronage and looks forward to serving you.