Flights charged in Sterling

yorkiegal · 23rd February 2008, 13:28

I purchased a one way flight from TFS to Manchester at the Travel Shop in Puerto De La Cruz.

I paid by visa entered my pin, was not asked to sign it. The girl told me it had worked out more expensive and couldn't understand it, the rate must have change later in the day,on checking the visa slip later I realised we had been charged in GBP instead of euros, also it stated I had been given a choice of currencies euros or sterling, which of course I hadn't. back to the Travel shop saw an English person who was very argumentative and not very pleasant, I know about this scam of charging in GBP . She blamed it on our bank, which is Nationwide and they don't charge any commission.

Went back again and saw the accountant who apologised and said they were in the wrong as they should have asked us if we wanted to pay in GBP we got a refund for the overcharge, apparently they have two cc machines, one converts it to GPB and the other doesn't, apparently if they put a GB cc in the Santander one it recognises the fact that we are not residents and have a GB card and it automatically converts it to GBP!!! on asking if all English people get charged this way we were told yes they do, what a rip off!

It is the last time we will use the Travel shop

Jackie B · 23rd February 2008, 14:02

Don't use any travel shops.

If you have access to the internet why not book your flight directly with the airline, works out cheaper as you are not paying the middle man

yorkiegal · 23rd February 2008, 14:09

The problem was that the internet cafe we normally use has closed down and we were having to use the hotel internet which we couldn't print out from, we did find one near the bus station in PDLC but it was closed the day we wanted to book the flight !

fixer · 23rd February 2008, 16:33

So when in Tenerife is it better to pay in euros or GB Pounds as when you go to the cash machine with your Nationwide card it asks you what you want charged in? the nationwide will convert the euros to pounds at there rate on the day David

yorkiegal · 23rd February 2008, 17:40

Exactly, if you choose GB pounds then it will cost you more money as opposed to choosing euros.

Delderek · 23rd February 2008, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiegal

Exactly, if you choose GB pounds then it will cost you more money as opposed to choosing euros.

Their really is nothing in it, I purchased some ciggies first in euros, a few days later in sterling. On the debit card statement the difference was 11p, (on 19 euro purchase) and if you pay in sterling you are not risking the currency fluctuation, before the transaction gets logged.

yorkiegal · 23rd February 2008, 21:33

The Spanish banks charge commission to convert it to GBP
It put £10.50 on the price of our flights

Delderek · 23rd February 2008, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkiegal

The Spanish banks charge commission to convert it to GBP
It put £10.50 on the price of our flights

Not on the transactions I have made. you get a printshown with both currencies shown and, the rate, you are then asked to choose, the only comission is made by the UK card companies for "overseas purchase" around 1.5%. (but I believe some do not charge) mine does

fixer · 23rd February 2008, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delderek

Not on the transactions I have made. you get a printshown with both currencies shown and, the rate, you are then asked to choose, the only comission is made by the UK card companies for "overseas purchase" around 1.5%. (but I believe some do not charge) mine does

Nationwide do not charge.

jaypeeps · 24th February 2008, 00:54

It is swings & roundabouts as it depends on the exchange rate at the time.

As pointed out, Nationwide do not charge. Have been with them for 22 years!

It isn't always cheaper to book a flight on the internet.

I was looking for a friend who wanted to go back to the UK for Xmas. In the end a return flight with the Flight Centre was cheaper than any on the internet.

Jaype