XHeapest way to pay for flights in US dollars?

sniperpenguin

OK, Ive been hunting (still!) for cheap flights from Dallas to Manchester (Bringing family over for wedding) and am looking like Im going with Expedia.

The annoying thing is, on the UK site the cost is £1,580.40, yet on the US site the same flights are $2,612.12 (£1,315.47 according to XE.com)

Now I have a number of ways to pay but am a little lost as to the most "MSE" way to do it. My options are:

1. HSBC Switch card (and slow stooze
2. Egg Money Cashback card
3. M+S Money (no balance, 0% till Feb '08)

I also have an A+L 0% overdraft that runs until Feb

Im unsure about surcharges and terrible conversion rates done by cards, can anyone offer any advice? .... please?

paulinespens

Nationwide Debit card won't charge you.

I went to book a flight with opodo with a credit card they wanted £20 so I booked with airline direct saving credit card fees.

Have you had a look the cost of flights using the airlines website? Kind of cut of the middle man?

Normally on overseas transactions you get charged 2.75% and then the website will hit you with there pay by credit card fee.

kjsav123

You shouldn't really use XE.com to compare rates for things like this.

XE.com rates are not the same as exchange rates you will get for your £

Donnie

Of course, you should pay with a CC, if only for added protection.
Assuming that your credit card levies a 2.75% foreign exchange commission, the CC route will cost you approx. another £40 on top of the XE figure.

So it's £1,355 against £1,580.40, a saving of £235. Don't forget to pay the full statement amount.