Using a credit card to pay a deposit on wheelchair hire. Grrr

Backbiter

I use a Fairfx card for purchases when abroad, but use a credit card with hotels, hire car companies etc to pay holding deposits. Have never had an issue before but hiring a wheelchair for my son for one day in Montreal was ridiculous.

The hire charge was just $10 dollars (just over £6), but they wanted $300 deposit, for which I gave them my Barclaycard. I returned the wheelchair that evening undamaged so they returned the deposit to my card.
My statement now shows that the pharmacy where I hired it put the deposit through as a transaction, incurring a fee of around £6. When refunding me, Barclaycard have once again charged me around £6, and they used a different conversion rate. So the deposit cost me £209, but I got just £190 back.

Ridiculous. I don't know what else I should have done - I don't carry wads of cash with me when abroad.

eDicky

Backbiter wrote: »

I don't know what else I should have done - I don't carry wads of cash with me when abroad.

Try to use one of the credit cards with no non-sterling fees, which will also give better value than the FairFX card:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/travel-credit-cards

Voyager2002

Raise the issue with Barclaycard by secure message: I find they are reasonably good when approached in this way.

The retailer was at fault, and this probably cost them something as well as you. They should simply have taken an authorisation on the card, or at least reversed the transaction.

Backbiter

Thanks for your replies. I will raise it with Barclaycard - nothing to lose, but a few pounds to gain. I agree the retailer was at fault, rather than Barclaycard.

I am aware that there are alternatives to Fairfx, but I chose it for the ease of use (top ups are applied almost instantly) and excellent customer feedback. Also. they gave a free £20 when I loaded it with £500 and there were no fees if you go via the link on this site.