Credit card charge for transaction in euros

suziebeanie

I've been charged almost ten pounds for buying a ski pass in Euros from a French website using my credit card. Is this allowed?! I had no idea that there was an additional charge, it wasn't flagged by the website so I assume its courtesy of Mastercard...on my statement its called "non sterling transact fee"
I'm really annoyed. Plan on complaining to the bank but does anyone know about this sort of charge or have any suggestions as regards my rights? Is this a problem when using card abroad too or just on the web? Confused!
Thanks
S

zagfles

It's normal - most cards charge 3% or so. See your T&Cs. It'll happen abroad as well, not just on websites.

Get a decent card which doesn't charge for foreign transactions, eg Halifax Clarity, Aqua. See the guide on the main site for the best cards to use abroad http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money.

jonesMUFCforever

What Zagfles has said is correct.

Sounds like a decent deal to me when you consider the alternatives - sending money by international payment for example could have cost you double.

suziebeanie

ah well thanks for the info, i thought the markup would be included in the price not a separate deduction. I'll look into the other cards mentioned. Thank you!

reclusive46

suziebeanie wrote: »

ah well thanks for the info, i thought the markup would be included in the price not a separate deduction. I'll look into the other cards mentioned. Thank you!

+ Bear in mind the exchange rate is probably 3% better than you'd get when buying cash anyway.

zagfles

reclusive46 wrote: »

+ Bear in mind the exchange rate is probably 3% better than you'd get when buying cash anyway.

Indeed - but only mugs buy cash