Calais - Paying by Credit Card

arndale

I'm off for a day trip to France next week and will be stopping at Tesco in Cite Europe. I remember last time when I got to the checkout I was asked if I wanted to pay in Euro's or Sterling on the card.

Does anyone know which one is better? I seem to remember one way works out cheaper than the other?

Also does anyone recommend paying via Debit Card rather than Credit Card or should it make no difference?

Thanks
Dean

Donnie

It depends on the CC or DC you are using. If you choose to pay in Sterling, you will receive the exchange that their bank with give to you.
If you pay in euros, you will receive the Visa/Mastercard rate minus your bank's foreign exchange loading(Up to 2.75%).
Use Nationwide or Liverpool Victoria cards for international shopping.

Dazza.mk_2

If your credit card has no loading fees (or you've got a Nationwide Debit Card) ALWAYS pay in local currency (eg in this case Euros), as they give a better exchange rate!

arndale

Thanks for the responses. I'll look into what my CC company charges

Dean

2ax

I don't know about Eurotunnel, but P&O ferries, some cheap airlines etc, surcharge credit but not debit cards, about £3 or £4. They will warn you of this if it is the case.

iceburn

always choose the local currency, as Martin report about using credit card aboard stated that if you choose to be billed in your local currency you get a terrible exchange rate. Even with the 2.75% charge the bank would charge if charge at local currency. But Arndele what bank are you with cause for example Lloyds TSB also now charge you a card fee for using the card aboard. ie a handling fee. In which case it might be cheaper to actually take "CASH" over. (not including getting a nationwide account) but don't have time for that :-(

arndale

I'm using a Tesco Personal Finance card (which I found out charge 2.5% on foreign transactions).

I found the visa exchange rates at http://www.corporate.visa.com/pd/consumer_ex_rates.jsp so I’ll take a little cutout with me and check what Tesco’s offer once I get there and make my decision (I’ll probably pay in the local currency, by the looks of the comments below)

Thanks for all the help
Dean

sylwright

Been to Calais, and Cite Europe a few times, last time was in February but will be going again in December.

I have always found it better value to pay in Sterling Cash for most things eg in restaurants etc. Shopped in Tesco there last time and paid in Sterling (they tell you the price in both pounds and euros) and paid with my Tesco Credit Card, dont remember having a charge on it for using abroad, only when I paid in Euros. Don't forget you can still get your Tesco points on all purchases too.

If you buy tobacco or cigarettes, Adinquerke (just over the Belgian border) is a lot cheaper, but again takes lots of cash and pay in pound notes.

You can check out all the prices before you go on this website https://www.day-tripper.net