We are traveling to Switzerland from Germany and I've calculated it would be as cheap to buy the Swiss Travel Pass. I was going to purchase ahead of time so we may use it for our train ride to zurich. I tried to purchase online through SBB and there is an option to purchase for USD or CHF. It also mentions a markup of 3% on the exchange rate of BonusCard??? Is there any getting around the markup? Do I choose the USD or CHF?
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
shelbain, You don't say where you live, i.e. what your home currency is. That may affect the answer.
- I would recommend buy in CHF. The general rule is your credit card company (Visa or MasterCard) would give you the best exchange rate.
- Not sure what you mean by "bonus card". Paying in CHF should avoid any exchange rate markup (as above).
- Make sure you have told your credit card company you will be making purchases in Switzerland, so they don't bock it as suspicious.
Posted by
Knoxville, TN, USA
7209 posts
Of my many credit cards I've only been able to get my American Express card to work on the SBB website.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
I live in the US. I don't know what the BonusCard means either but it was the wording the SBB website used. I guess it was marking it up if I bought it as USD. Thank you for your info.
Posted by
US
61 posts
Hello,
I bought a Swiss rail pass yesterday. I tried to buy it on the SBB website, but my US credit card wouldn't work (even after contacting my bank.) I also saw the option of paying 513 CHF or $531 US (so there's a markup) - always choose CHF. Since I wasn't having any luck with the SBB website, I went to Rail Europe and purchased the pass there. I paid $515 US.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
I was finally able to get mine to go through yesterday as well. I did choose the CHF. Thanks so much for the great advice from all.