International exchange rates/online purchases
International exchange rates/online purchases
Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

71 months

Tuesday 13th September 2011
quotequote all
Hi guys, was wondering if anyone could clarify something for me.

I've just bought hotel accommodation in NY using my Santander debit card.

The cost of the room is $1036.77, which converts using any google currency converter as approx £655.

Santander have managed to convert the cost, using "their" rate, at £795... obviously I'm not happy, but can't see anything on their website about which rate they use - and I CBA to sit on a phone for 2 hours just to be palmed off by some stupid bint who most likely will not be the greatest at speaking English...

Has anyone had experience of this? Is it right? It seems VERY unfair...

TIA. smile

mcflurry

9,179 posts

270 months

Wednesday 14th September 2011
quotequote all
AFAIK they will load the rate by a couple of %, being charged £795 would indicate that the hotel bill isn't USD 1037, but closer to USD 1200.
Has the hotel added taxes or breakfasts for example?

skeeterm5

4,298 posts

205 months

Wednesday 14th September 2011
quotequote all
It is usual behaviour for US hotels to quote all of their prices/costs excluding the taxes, I suspect this is the difference.

S

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

71 months

Wednesday 14th September 2011
quotequote all
Upon investigation, that looks like it may be what's happened. Thanks guys. Bloody stupid pricing methods!