Using OTA websites

[unintended]

Hi all, anyone can advise if I want to book via sites like booking.com, Agoda or Expedia, should I book using SGD, or USD, or the currency for the country I'm visiting in?

By default these sites will direct me to a .com.sg site, which results in sgd currency. But I'm just wondering if I should switch to USD to prevent DCC charges?

Nowadays banks charge DCC for overseas website. Just want to clarify before I make my booking.

Do you all make online payment upfront or pay at hotel? Does ShopBack still applies if you pay at the hotel?

 

[convictionn]

Hi all, anyone can advise if I want to book via sites like booking.com, Agoda or Expedia, should I book using SGD, or USD, or the currency for the country I'm visiting in?

By default these sites will direct me to a .com.sg site, which results in sgd currency. But I'm just wondering if I should switch to USD to prevent DCC charges?

Nowadays banks charge DCC for overseas website. Just want to clarify before I make my booking.

Do you all make online payment upfront or pay at hotel? Does ShopBack still applies if you pay at the hotel?

Usually for US based sites (eg. Hotels.com) I will pay in USD, from my experience it's cheaper than if you pay in SGD. Gotta look at the country and currency of origin of the site to determine which currency you should pay in.

 

[dede1217]

I would always choose SGD.
cox if u paid in USD, is up to the bank rate ...
bank rate normally not good
very high chance u would ended up paying higher ...

 

[oceanicmanta]

i always pay in SGD

if u pay in USD, your Sing CC will still have to convert to SGD & the CC fx spread is worst still, isnt it ?

DCC on Expedia can write in to refund (edit: not waive), after making purchase.

 

[unintended]

Thanks for the responses. so when you receive your credit bill does it reflect exactly the SGD price you paid in as per the website checkout? Or there are additional bank fees?

 

[wuso]

Things are a little (or should I say alot more) complicated than that. There was an article in the Straits Times last month on this. While the article is more for online shopping, most is relevant. Read and draw your own conclusions

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/invest/paying-for-overseas-purchases-finding-the-best-deal

 

[oceanicmanta]

Thanks for the responses. so when you receive your credit bill does it reflect exactly the SGD price you paid in as per the website checkout? Or there are additional bank fees?

the final price in SGD eventually shld be the OTA website price at checkout plus 0.8%.

usually i pay online to get CC online rebates plus ShopBack. have not tried pay later at hotel with ShopBack ... but think it still works

for Expedia, can try ask refund for the 0.8%

 

[oceanicmanta]

Things are a little (or should I say alot more) complicated than that. There was an article in the Straits Times last month on this. While the article is more for online shopping, most is relevant. Read and draw your own conclusions

http://www.straitstimes.com/business/invest/paying-for-overseas-purchases-finding-the-best-deal

good article ... but also confusing. mayb read the print version better. will read later.

in sum, for Expedia, just select SGD (using DBS CC for me) & pay up the 0.8%.

 

[dede1217]

the final price in SGD eventually shld be the OTA website price at checkout plus 0.8%.

usually i pay online to get CC online rebates plus ShopBack. have not tried pay later at hotel with ShopBack ... but think it still works

for Expedia, can try ask refund for the 0.8%

use visa to pay can get 9% rebate ...
can also do best price guarantee.
did few times, not easy, but not hard either ...