Credit card to use abroad

Heinz

After years of following Martin's advice and using ONLY my SAGA VISA card whilst abroad (to avoid currency conversion fees and to obtain near perfect exchange rates), I blew it completely yesterday.

2 weeks in Madeira using the SAGA card for every transaction and then, as I settled the account for extras at my hotel (drinks etc. not included in my accommodation package), I let the heat and humidity get the better of me as I was checking out and said, "Sterling" when the guy on Reception asked me whether I wanted to pay in Euros or Sterling.

I know the answer should always be, "Euros" but, for some reason, I slipped up. Cost me about £9 I reckon.

Hey ho. Lesson learned.

geekonthepc

Sorry to hear that. I guess it could have been worse, but very frustrating!

Maybe call your provider and ask them to give you the difference as a gesture of goodwill? If you've been a customer of theirs for some time, they're likely to make small adjustments to keep you happy. Obviously, as I've no doubt you know based on your post count(!!), they're not obliged to as it's sadly a regrettable error - but £9 isn't exactly a lot to ask! Small price to pay to keep a customer, I'd say!

Ben8282

I was going to say much the same thing as the reply above. I get the impression that you are putting a reasonable amount of turnover through this card. You could try calling SAGA and saying that you told him Euros but he went ahead and put it through with DCC anyway and see what they say. But again, is it worth it for £9. Personally I would just leave it.

eDicky

Ben8282 wrote: »

You could try calling SAGA and saying that you told him Euros but he went ahead and put it through with DCC anyway and see what they say.

In cases where the option to decline DCC was not given or ignored there is entitlement to claim the difference back from the card provider, who in turn may or may not charge it back from the merchant. But in this case it would be subverting a useful facility by false pretence.

System

geekonthepc wrote: »

Sorry to hear that. I guess it could have been worse, but very frustrating!

Maybe call your provider and ask them to give you the difference as a gesture of goodwill? If you've been a customer of theirs for some time, they're likely to make small adjustments to keep you happy. Obviously, as I've no doubt you know based on your post count(!!), they're not obliged to as it's sadly a regrettable error - but £9 isn't exactly a lot to ask! Small price to pay to keep a customer, I'd say!

The £9 will be made by the merchant/card processor not the card issuer here.