Euros with a credit card

kartingmad

Hi

going away in July and wondering if anyone has any ways or thoughts on how to get euros but using an Amex credit card?

I know a lot of people do not accept and if they do it will go down as a chargeable transaction.

basically need to pay for our accommodation in cash and want to try and work out the best way as we won’t have the cash until the month after which I will pay off the card with.

complicated I know 

thanks 

lr1277

Not with Amex, no. Are you in a position to get a new credit card?

If so, the John Lewis credit card offers fx fee free money from the John Lewis Bureau de Change. You also get John Lewis points. I don't think they charge a cash advance fee. Not sure how this is reported to the Credit Reporting Agencies (CRA). I know someone who get currency this way but doesn't check their credit file.

I think the same also applies to the M&S credit card and the M&S Bureau de Change.

If you use any other credit card, one possibility is that the transaction is not allowed. Or perhaps you will be charged both a cash advance fee and fx fee. 2nd edit: it will be reported to the CRA's as a cash advance.

Edited to correct spelling of Bureau.

Voyager2002

I suggest you look for different accommodation... the requirement for a cash payment suggests they are seriously dodgy.

Emmia

Voyager2002 said:

I suggest you look for different accommodation... the requirement for a cash payment suggests they are seriously dodgy.

Agreed, paying in cash (or bank transfer) also gives you zero protection if there's a problem.

heatherw_01

As above, very dodgy asking you to pay by cash. Lots of red flags there!

They could take your money and give you nothing and you couldn't do much about it.

Have you had a look to see other accommodation?

Upsidedownandaround

It’s not “seriously dodgy” or a “red flag” to be asked to pay for cash at accommodation.

Lots of countries are still primarily cash based particularly depending on the type of accommodation where it may be a hostel, guesthouse etc that people stay for a couple of nights and pay on arrival.

Unfortunately if you need a cash advance and a foreign currency it is likely to cost you extra and there isn’t much you can do about it unless you take out a new credit card like LR says.