Cheapest way to buy flights etc from US websites?

liamb_2

I am about to buy a number of flights from US websites where the prices are only listed in dollars. I have a 'rewards' credit card (play.com) but I also have a Halifax Clarity card. I know the latter is best when I am in the US for both cash and non cash transactions, but does the same apply when buying items in dollars online, ie is the load added by MBNA in this kind of transaction, thus meaning I don't pay the actual exchange rate? I can repay the money instantly to my Clarity card so would be incurring minimum charges. Many thanks if anyone can help!

DavidHayton

Hi, when buying anything on a foreign website I always use my Clarity Card. Then you get the middle exchange rate with no fees added. Don't worry about the interest. For purchases you can always wait for the statement and as long as you clear the balance by the deadline you will pay no interest.

David

ferf1223

which website are you buying from? If they have a UK site as well, many times the US site won't let you book through them - will redirect you to the UK site.

Agree that your Clarity card is the better bet - no difference between using it in the US to pay in USD or using it online to pay in USD - other than charges the website may tack on to use a credit card of any type.

luci

Make sure the prices you see on the US site include taxes. They don't have to at the moment, but that is changing soon.

bagand96

Buying from a foreign website is just like using your card in that country (so long as it is a regular retail transaction, not buying currency etc), so if MBNA load on foreign purchases, they will do on $ internet transactions.

It is worth checking the US website to ensure you can book flights. For example I believe Expedia.com are quite explicit that you cannot do this. However, I booked with Expedia.ca earlier this year without any issues. Infact the flights were directly billed by British Airways London, although in Canadian Dollars as agreed on the Expedia site.

I booked with my Clarity card - Halifax converted the Canadian Dollars to £ Sterling at a decent rate without any load or charges.

liamb_2

Many thanks for all your helpful comments. I am booking flights on South West airlines and they have never given me the option to pay in pounds before - I guess being a company that does not do transatlantic flights, the majority of their customers are American so it is not something they feel they need to offer. I will now start wielding my Clarity card in earnest, thanks again for your replies.