Bought something from Ebay UK but have to pay in USD!

I'd just remind people that your credit card company will most likely charge you a fee for a foreign currencty conversion, so you'll end up paying a percent or three more than you bargained for...

[punky]

Originally Posted by Graham

I'd just remind people that your credit card company will most likely charge you a fee for a foreign currencty conversion, so you'll end up paying a percent or three more than you bargained for...

It is nowhere near what you would expect. I use my CC all the time abroad, and the fee is in normally in pence rather than pounds, and the exchange rate seems pretty favourable. The same with withfdrawing money from a foreign ATM (Most debit cards work around the world if the ATM has the Cirrus logo)

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Graham

I'd just remind people that your credit card company will most likely charge you a fee for a foreign currencty conversion, so you'll end up paying a percent or three more than you bargained for...

It's a conundrum though, as they shift so much money, they get great FX rates, so the extra cost of paying by credit card is often outweighed by the saving on the FX conversion.

Mrs H's business imports all her product range, we settle all our suppliers by credit card as it is the easiest way for transactions of under $1000 (and realistically $5000). The Nationwide card is apparantly the best for all this (mental not to look into that).

Using a CC is certainly cheaper than getting cash at the airport / bank / travel agent. When I travel to any well developed nation now I get cash from an ATM/Cashpoint on arrival and use Credit Cards where I can, this seems to be the most effective way of paying for a trip.

[bob_builder]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

The Nationwide card is apparantly the best for all this (mental not to look into that).

Yes, the Nationwide credit card does not charge any extra fee for foreign purchases. It is also worth noting, though less well known, that the Nationwide cash card / debit card does not charge any extra fee for foreign purchases or cash withdrawals. You just pay the exchange rate (which as SMHarman said, is far better than you would get at a Bureau de Change).