Booking.com paying for hotel at property?

mulevariations

Hi folks, on a hotel booking made on booking.com I've chosen pay at property overseas, will I still have to pay charges on my Amex or just the total amount it shows on the hotel booking confirmation?

born_again

If you are paying at hotel, charges will depend on which currency they use to take payment. Either local or GBP.

eskbanker

The booking confirmation should clarify, but my expectation would be that you'd settle the bill in the local currency, which can obviously differ from today's sterling equivalent, and if your card levies non-sterling transaction fees (as most do) then yes, you'd incur those charges.

Ebe_Scrooge

It may depend on exactly which card you've got, but you'll probably be charged a Foreign Exchange fee:

https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/customer-service/faq.what-are-the-transaction-charges-abroad.html

Try getting one of the so-called "travel" cards which won't charge an FX fee: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

JGB1955

There may also be a local tourist tax to pay.

mulevariations

Ebe_Scrooge said:

It may depend on exactly which card you've got, but you'll probably be charged a Foreign Exchange fee:

https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/customer-service/faq.what-are-the-transaction-charges-abroad.html

Try getting one of the so-called "travel" cards which won't charge an FX fee: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

I've got the Platinum Cashback, a travel credit card is next on my list, but my Amex is new and I don't want to do another hard search. 

Ebe_Scrooge

mulevariations said:

I'll probably pay now then instead of there. 

Actually, that raises an interesting question.  If you pay in local currency when you get there, using a travel card, you'll get pretty much the best exchange rate possible (the Visa or Mastercard default).  I'm wondering what exchange rate Booking.com have used when calculating the price they quoted you?  There's a chance that you may make a saving due to the exchange rate used in you pay in local currency when you get there?

But if Booking.com have used the Visa/Mastercard rate, it'll not make much difference - although, of course, the prevailing exchange rate will be different from what it is today, so you may win or lose from that point of view.

mulevariations

eskbanker said:

The booking confirmation should clarify, but my expectation would be that you'd settle the bill in the local currency, which can obviously differ from today's sterling equivalent, and if your card levies non-sterling transaction fees (as most do) then yes, you'd incur those charges.

The final price shown is the amount you will pay to the property.

Booking.com does not charge guests any reservation, administration or other fees.
Your card issuer may charge you a foreign transaction fee.

Payment information

handles all payments.
This property accepts the following forms of payment: American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, Maestro, Discover

Currency and exchange rate information

You'll pay in EUR according to the exchange rate on the day of payment.
The amount displayed in GBP is just an estimate based on today's exchange rate for EUR.

mulevariations

Ebe_Scrooge said:

mulevariations said:

I'll probably pay now then instead of there. 

Actually, that raises an interesting question.  If you pay in local currency when you get there, using a travel card, you'll get pretty much the best exchange rate possible (the Visa or Mastercard default).  I'm wondering what exchange rate Booking.com have used when calculating the price they quoted you?  There's a chance that you may make a saving due to the exchange rate used in you pay in local currency when you get there?

But if Booking.com have used the Visa/Mastercard rate, it'll not make much difference - although, of course, the prevailing exchange rate will be different from what it is today, so you may win or lose from that point of view.

I could use my Chase debit instead, I wanted to use the Amex to help hit the welcome bonus amount. I'm going to look into try paying early. 

eskbanker

mulevariations said:

eskbanker said:

The booking confirmation should clarify, but my expectation would be that you'd settle the bill in the local currency, which can obviously differ from today's sterling equivalent, and if your card levies non-sterling transaction fees (as most do) then yes, you'd incur those charges.

The final price shown is the amount you will pay to the property.

Booking.com does not charge guests any reservation, administration or other fees.
Your card issuer may charge you a foreign transaction fee.

Payment information

handles all payments.
This property accepts the following forms of payment: American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, Maestro, Discover

Currency and exchange rate information

You'll pay in EUR according to the exchange rate on the day of payment.
The amount displayed in GBP is just an estimate based on today's exchange rate for EUR.

Not very clearly worded, but I'd read that as signifying that the € amount is fixed today, but if/when you pay that amount when you're there, it may convert to a different £ value.

Ebe_Scrooge

eskbanker said:

mulevariations said:

eskbanker said:

The booking confirmation should clarify, but my expectation would be that you'd settle the bill in the local currency, which can obviously differ from today's sterling equivalent, and if your card levies non-sterling transaction fees (as most do) then yes, you'd incur those charges.

The final price shown is the amount you will pay to the property.

Booking.com does not charge guests any reservation, administration or other fees.
Your card issuer may charge you a foreign transaction fee.

Payment information

handles all payments.
This property accepts the following forms of payment: American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club, JCB, Maestro, Discover

Currency and exchange rate information

You'll pay in EUR according to the exchange rate on the day of payment.
The amount displayed in GBP is just an estimate based on today's exchange rate for EUR.

Not very clearly worded, but I'd read that as signifying that the € amount is fixed today, but if/when you pay that amount when you're there, it may convert to a different £ value.

I'd agree.  Or even, if you pay via booking.com but do it tomorrow or next week, then the price may change (I read it that they'll use the exchange rate applicable at the time of payment, which is perfectly reasonable.)  Whether they'll use an exchange rate that is most beneficial to the customer, or to them - that's a different question!