Help with US dollar to UK sterling problem

biged670

Evening all,

I've just recently returned from a trip to New York where we stayed in a hotel which we booked online. Long story short the bill for staying at the hotel was $772.44.

I used my Marbles mastercard to pay the bill, and to my suprise on checking my pending transactions I've noticed the amount pending is £860.40. This works out at £1 = $0.89 (Horrendous), the current rate is approx £1 = $1.24ish

I've queried this with both Marbles and the hotel. The hotel have confirmed and provided a second copy of the bill. As orignally stated $772.44 (with all taxes included).

I've spoken to two people at Marbles to ask how they have arrived at such an exchange rate. The first was absolutely cluless and offered no help what so ever. The second person stated that it would be mastecard that would have applied the exchange rate, that I would need to wait for the transaction to clear, and once cleared I could open a dispute which they would then investigate.

I honestly have no idea how they have arrived at the figure charged. I understand the fee for using the card abroad is approx 2.95% but on my maths I beleive I've been overcharged somehow by approx £200.

Anybody had anything similar happen or have any advice?

Cheers

PeacefulWaters

Sounds like the hotel gave offered you a Direct Currency Conversion where they charge you in sterling.

Alternatively, the transaction isn't confirmed yet and there's an additional swipe on your card reserving an amount that will drop off.

Ben8282

Wait and see the amount actually billed. It is possible that the pending amount refers to an authorisation rather than the actual bill from the hotel.
If it does actually bill at £860.40 then check the exchange rate and also the local currency amount billed to make sure correct.

biged670

Thanks both; I have been wondering if it could be a security authorisation that might drop off. The hotel didn't mention this on the phone, but it was in the back of my mind.