Booking Hotel Abroad - Best Way To Pay ?

jspr

So I'm thinking of making a booking direct with a hotel (in Tenerife) and wondering the best way to pay for this. I think the hotel expects me to pay the full bill on arrival (or balance after any booking fee) so what would be the cheapest way to pay it ?

I believe it is normally advisable to pay in local currency abroad but I assume by using a credit or debit card to pay the hotel bill (which will probably be about £600) I would have to pay the additional currency conversion card fee (usually about 3%) to my bank/card company ?

What do most people do in this situation ?

mgdavid

get a fee-free card like Clarity or Metro; see the Quick link at the top of the page
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money?_ga=1.111744260.1699548981.1408386531

jspr

Thanks. I think I will have a look at the Halifax Clarity Card.

macman

No, they'll normally ask for your card details in advance to make the reservation, and swipe the card on check in to reserve the amount due for the stay, plus something on top in case you decide the empty the minibar or chuck the TV into the pool...
They might accept cash on arrival, with a cash deposit on top, but this is probably limited to smaller independents in most places. People wanting to pay cash at big chain hotels will be viewed with some suspicion.
£18 currency conversion charge is not a huge amount when set against the total cost of your holiday.

zagfles

mgdavid wrote: »

get a fee-free card like Clarity or Metro; see the Quick link at the top of the page
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money?_ga=1.111744260.1699548981.1408386531

Yes, and make sure the hotel charges in Euros. Some will convert the currency without asking you, this is not allowed by VISA/Mastercard yet some dodgy retailers (including hotels) ignore this rule and do it anyway (they get a cut of the commission).

When handing over the card, tell them you want it charged in Euros and check the receipt. Then, with a decent card like the Clarity/Metrobank, you get the Mastercard rate which is practically interbank.

techno12

On my last trip to Spain (Ibiza) I booked direct with the hotel via its own website and paid the full amount in euros about a month in advance using my Halifax Clarity.

No faffing handing over cards, and a near-perfect exchange rate.