Which Currency Will I Pay In?
You can view prices in your preferred currency, but the actual payment currency depends on the supplier and your payment method.
Quick Answer
Display currency: Your choice (24+ currencies available)
Payment currency: Usually supplier's currency (EUR, USD, GBP, etc.)
Conversion: Your bank or card issuer handles it
How Currency Works
Display vs Payment Currency
Display Currency:
- What you see on website
- Your preferred currency
- For comparison only
- Approximate conversion
Payment Currency:
- What you're actually charged in
- Supplier's currency
- Final conversion by your bank
- Exact amount on statement
Example:
Display: $150 USD (your preference)
Payment: €140 EUR (supplier currency)
Your bank converts: €140 = $152 USD
(May differ due to exchange rate)
Choosing Display Currency
How to Select
On homepage:
- Look for currency selector (top right)
- Click current currency
- Choose your preferred currency
- All prices update
Available currencies:
- USD (US Dollar)
- EUR (Euro)
- GBP (British Pound)
- AUD (Australian Dollar)
- CAD (Canadian Dollar)
- JPY (Japanese Yen)
- And 20+ more
Why Choose Your Currency
Benefits:
- ✅ Easier price comparison
- ✅ Better budgeting
- ✅ Understand costs
- ✅ Compare to local options
Remember: Display only - not payment currency
Payment Currency
Determined By
Supplier's base currency:
- RateHawk: Usually EUR or USD
- Hotelbeds: Usually EUR
- GoGlobal: Varies
- SunHotels: Usually EUR
Shown at checkout:
- Before you pay
- Final confirmation
- Booking summary
Multi-Currency Pricing (DCC)
Some suppliers offer:
- Choice at payment
- Pay in your currency OR supplier currency
- Different exchange rates
Usually better to:
- ✅ Pay in supplier currency
- ✅ Let your bank convert
- ✅ Better exchange rate
- ❌ Avoid DCC markup
Exchange Rates
How Conversion Works
Display prices:
- Updated daily
- Approximate rates
- For comparison
Payment conversion:
- Your bank/card issuer
- Rate on payment date
- May include bank fee
- Final amount charged
Rate Differences
Why amounts differ:
1. Timing:
- Display rate: When you search
- Payment rate: When you book
- Bank rate: When they process
2. Fees:
- Bank conversion fee (1-3%)
- Foreign transaction fee
- Card issuer markup
3. Rate source:
- We use mid-market rates
- Banks use their own rates
- Always slightly different
Example
Booking shows: $500 USD
Supplier charges: €460 EUR
Your bank charges: $505 USD
Difference: $5 due to:
- Exchange rate change
- Bank conversion fee
- Foreign transaction fee
Bank Fees
Common Charges
Foreign Transaction Fee:
- Usually 2-3% of amount
- Charged by card issuer
- Added to your bill
- Not controlled by us
Currency Conversion Fee:
- Usually 1-2%
- For converting currencies
- Some cards don't charge
- Check with your bank
ATM/Cash Fees (if paying at hotel):
- Withdrawal fees
- Conversion fees
- ATM operator fees
Avoiding Fees
Use cards with:
- ✅ No foreign transaction fees
- ✅ No conversion fees
- ✅ Good exchange rates
Examples:
- Travel credit cards
- International debit cards
- Multi-currency cards
Multi-Currency Accounts
If You Have One
Advantages:
- Hold multiple currencies
- Avoid conversion fees
- Better exchange rates
- More control
How to use:
- Check payment currency
- Load that currency
- Pay directly
- No conversion needed
Popular options:
- Wise (formerly TransferWise)
- Revolut
- N26
Price Guarantees
What's Guaranteed
We guarantee:
- Display price accuracy
- No hidden fees from us
- Transparent pricing
- Clear currency shown
We don't control:
- Bank exchange rates
- Card issuer fees
- Foreign transaction fees
- Currency fluctuations
Price Changes
Display price might change if:
- Exchange rates update
- You change display currency
- Time passes (rates update daily)
Payment amount fixed when:
- You complete booking
- Supplier confirms
- Payment processes
Refunds in Different Currency
How It Works
Paid in EUR, refund in EUR:
- Same currency
- Refund exact amount
- Your bank converts back
- May differ from original
Why final amount differs:
- Exchange rate changed
- Different rate for refund
- Time has passed
- Bank fees both ways
Example:
Paid: €460 = $500 (when you booked)
Refund: €460 = $485 (when refunded)
Loss: $15 due to rate change
Tips for Best Rates
Before Booking
✅ Check your card fees ✅ Use travel credit card if possible ✅ Compare supplier currencies ✅ Note payment currency before confirming
At Payment
✅ Pay in supplier currency ✅ Decline DCC if offered ✅ Let your bank convert ✅ Avoid hotel currency conversion
For Refunds
✅ Accept rate differences ✅ Can't control exchange rates ✅ Part of international booking
Tax and Currency
VAT/Sales Tax
Always in local currency:
- Hotel's location
- Local tax rates
- Local currency
- Converted for display
Example:
- French hotel: VAT in EUR
- Display: Converted to your currency
- Payment: In EUR
- Tax included
Invoice Currency
What You'll See
Invoice shows:
- Payment currency (supplier currency)
- Amount charged
- Converted amount (approximate)
- Both currencies listed
For expenses:
- Use payment currency amount
- Or converted amount
- Attach invoice
- Company policy applies
Common Scenarios
Booking from USA for Europe
Display: USD (your preference)
Payment: EUR (supplier currency)
Your card: Charged in EUR
Your bank: Converts to USD
Your statement: USD amount
Booking from UK for Asia
Display: GBP (your preference)
Payment: USD (supplier currency)
Your card: Charged in USD
Your bank: Converts to GBP
Your statement: GBP amount
FAQ
Q: Why is final amount different from display? A: Exchange rates change, and banks use different rates than display rates.
Q: Can I pay in my currency? A: Only if supplier offers it. Usually better to pay in supplier currency.
Q: Are there hidden currency fees? A: Not from us. Your bank may charge foreign transaction fees.
Q: What's the best currency to pay in? A: Supplier's currency, then let your bank convert.
Q: Can I lock in exchange rate? A: No, rate applies when payment processes.
Q: Why did my refund amount differ? A: Exchange rates changed between payment and refund.
Need Help?
Currency questions?
Provide:
- Booking reference
- Currency question
- Display vs payment currency
We'll explain your specific situation!