We like to put everything we can on our Visa because (as in this case) we travel on points. Can we put all our train tickets on Visa even if it is a small amount? When getting the train from Switzerland to Nice do they accept Swiss francs for food or should we have Euros on hand. I really do not like carrying a lot of cash and we are trying to figure out how much of each currency to take. Any help appreciated.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
Shari, you can use your credit card for train tickets. You might want to find out how much of a mark-up your card company is charging you for currency conversion.
You use Swiss Franks in Switzerland and Euros in France; I'd want to have some of both on the day I was traveling from one place to the other.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Shari,
You should always have some cash on you, as not every place takes credit... esp the mom and pop places. When we stopped over for one day in Switzerland, I just exchanged $40 for food, bus, etc.
I also agree to double check on the fees your bank charges you on Visa. Visa is notorious for dinging you with exchange fees.
I try to pay cash as much as possible, or use my Mastercard, as the fees tend to be less than Visa.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Are you arriving in Switzerland or will you have traveled there from another country? If you are arriving in Switzerland, I would suggest using your ATM card to get some CHF from the local ATM. You can use your Visa for most business places unless they are really small. If you are coming in from another country that uses Euros, many places in Switzerland will take Euros but you won't like the exchange rate. It won't hurt to have a few CHF in your pocket when you get to Nice. Just get some Euros at the ATM with your ATM card. You'll be fine.
Posted by
OP
Vancouver, BC, Canada
47 posts
We are back after a wonderful trip. I got my Visa bill today and there were no conversion charges. The same rate applied on our visa as on the day we bought or paid for an item. A lot of stores now have a new machine that showed the amount we were paying in Canadian dollars converted from Euros or Swiss francs so you know exactly what you are paying. The ATM worked fine for the amount of cash we needed.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
It's really nice when travelers take the time to look up a message two and comment after their trip. Often, its more helpful than the original question and responses. Thanks Shari.
Posted by
Clarksburg, MD, USA
92 posts
I travel to Europe quite a bit, and about two years ago, I started to notice that my credit card company (Mastercard) had begun to charge me a service fee for foreign currency transactions even though I have been a customer in good standing with them for almost 30 years. I spoke to a supervisor at the credit card issuing company who apologetically told me that she could not waive the fee. So I got another Mastercard from Capital One bank and I now use it exclusively when I am in Europe. Capital One does not charge me foreign currency transaction fees.
One other piece of advice. Alert your credit card and bank that you will be using your cards in a foreign country. Some banks will freeze your credit card or ATM card if the cards are used in an unusual location because they may suspect that the cards have been stolen.
Penn
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
With regard to those devices that let them show you the price in both the local currency and your home currency: Do NOT let them charge your credit card for the anything other than the local currency. They will almost certainly be giving you a poorer exchange rate than you will get from either the credit card company or the ATM.