Prepaid rates - currency question
#1
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Prepaid rates - currency question
When booking a prepaid rate at a foreign hotel on spg.com, does the charge come through in USD or in the hotel's local currency?
#2
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#3
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#4
uh...because for the said poster in question, USD charged by a US hotel is indeed "foreign" hotel (i.e. not British).
Also, hotels in some countries whose currencies are not very stable or do not trade freely, have the habit of adopting a USD pricing, for example, the Maldives. Other countries such as Turkey adopts a EUR pricing even though Turkey has its own currency.
Also, hotels in some countries whose currencies are not very stable or do not trade freely, have the habit of adopting a USD pricing, for example, the Maldives. Other countries such as Turkey adopts a EUR pricing even though Turkey has its own currency.
#5
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If the prepayment went to Starwood and then Starwood paid the hotel, then it would be conceivable to pay USD to Starwood. That's basically what happens with a prepaid rate through Expedia, Orbitz, etc. But I don't think that's how Starwood operates their prepaid rates.
My recent prepaid stay at the LM Etoile was charged in Euros.
My recent prepaid stay at the LM Etoile was charged in Euros.
#6
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On your reservation, it shows local currency. If you charged it to a CC, your CC will show in US$ (at the then conversion rate). Your CC may also tag on a "currency conversion surcharge of x%). The x varies from card to card (can be as high as 3%). I use Capital-1 which waives such surcharge fees.
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Turkish hotels certainly charge in Turkish Lira. Even it the rate on the website is in Euro, they convert the Euro amount into Turkish Lira on the day of invoicing and your CC issuer converts it back into your CC's currency.
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If the prepayment went to Starwood and then Starwood paid the hotel, then it would be conceivable to pay USD to Starwood. That's basically what happens with a prepaid rate through Expedia, Orbitz, etc. But I don't think that's how Starwood operates their prepaid rates.
My recent prepaid stay at the LM Etoile was charged in Euros.
My recent prepaid stay at the LM Etoile was charged in Euros.
#9
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Thanks all. I was hoping to avoid the foreign transaction fee by prepaying, but I guess it's not to be.
Most credit cards changed that a few years ago. They no longer charge for currency conversion - they now charge foreign transaction fee (or "service charge"), even if the transaction is in USD.
Most credit cards changed that a few years ago. They no longer charge for currency conversion - they now charge foreign transaction fee (or "service charge"), even if the transaction is in USD.
#10
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Same here. This is the main reason that I have a Capital One card. The lone exception of its use on foreign travel is on Starwood stays. I still charge those to my Starwood Amex and take the double Starpoints. But with the foreign transaction fees, it's pretty much a wash.
#11
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#12
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#14
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No, I meant to say expensive. I pay 1,25% over interbank rate for transaction I put on my credit card, bank rates or even worse, money changer's rates for cash transactions cannot compete - getting foreign currency is not a free gimmick.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; Mar 15, 2009 at 11:32 am Reason: typo
#15
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gotcha, thanks for the clarification.