I am trying to book through the http://passionsspiele-oberammergau.de web site, which I believe is the official site for the 2020 passion play.
We do not want to use a tour group as we are traveling on our own itinerary.
My concern is that for payment they only accept a wire transfer.
Has anyone dealt with this? And does anyone know why they will not accept credit cards?
Thanks
Has anyone dealt with this? And does anyone know why they will not accept credit cards?
This topic has been discussed many times on this website.
Unlike Americans, Germans are not so enamored of credit cards, particularly when the banks take a percentage of the transaction. Germans have a system of their own. It's call an Überweisung or direct debit. They send you a form (an Überweisung) which has their bank information and the amount. You fill in your account information and give it to your bank, and your bank electronically transfers the amount to their bank. It's kind of like a reverse check; that way they get the full amount. More transactions are handled in Germany with Überweisungen than with credit cards. Unfortunately, our banks can't handle an Überweisung (although "bill pay" is essentially the same thing).
Rather than use your bank, www.transferwise.com does it for much less
Thanks, Stephen, for the link. My bank always charges ridiculous fees for wires to EU countries.
I booked a 2 night package for the Passion Play through the website a couple weeks ago. I first booked the days and hotel without sending any money and they responded with an email confirming my selections. They noted that I had to pay the 250 euro deposit, but the instructions were in German as was the contract.
And I asked if they take credit cards, which they don't.
So I emailed back asking for a wire address and they sent that to me. they noted that I would have to pay all international wire fees- and that includes on their end.
Since I have never sent an international wire transfer, I went to my bank which did it for me and charged me $30 to do it.
It took about a week before the company responded saying they received my 250 euro but the international wire fee was 25 euro on their end, so I was 25 euro short on my deposit, but not to worry.
I think next year when I pay the full amount I will use a cheaper wire transfer company.
I did bookmark the website mentioned in a previous post, but now I am getting spam from an India company for loans.
So I am not sure about this "cheaper" way to send money.
I guess piece of mind that my bank is actually sending the rest of the money (and its not cheap) to the Passion Play company and that have received it is worth the cost. I will continue to research cheaper alternatives for sending an international wire transfer.
I did book and used TravelWise. I was only charged $18.95 and no foreign transfer fees from Commerzbank
