DCC and first day in Dublin
 

Hi, Four of us are going to Ireland/NI next June. We've been before but there's always something new to learn.

There are a couple of things that I don't understand about DCC. We are buying our tickets through a travel agent. Will we be charged more buying our airline ticket (in Euro's vs $)? Also, do we need to do something different on our rental car? I don't want to pay more than we have to.

We made the mistake the last time we went of driving to our destination (Cookstown NI) when we got off the plane. Never again! :~) The travel agent said that getting airline tickets and a motel together is usually cheaper. I was figuring on getting a B&B just outside of Dublin (Sperries) because it was near a very nice castle. We could be rested and on our way the next day.

Last question. My brother and his wife will be going with us. My brother's 6'. We usually get an economy (Ford Focus) for us. Will a compact car be large enough for the 4 of us? For at least part of the trip, my brother will be riding in back...until I can convince him to take over the navigating. :~)

Kathie

DCC is where you are in a foreign country and the vendor suggests you pay in USD instead of the local currency IN ORDER TO IMPOSE THEIR OWN EXCHANGE RATE rather than the normal exchange rate.

Many companies legitimately offer prices in several currencies (eg Eurostar, Hertz, etc) but the only way to find out
what's best for you is to do the maths - eg Eurostar tickets MAY be cheaper if bought in USD rather than EUR or GBP

Is the travel agent in the U.S. or in Europe? Did you get a quote in Euro or $$$?

I read on another thread a while back that someone had put a downpayment on a tour toru an overseas travel agent. I remember that they got burned as they converted the trip to $$$ and used DCC at the same time.

I don't remember all the facts, but I would certainly ask. ((b))

The crucial thing about DCC is that it's in your interest that a merchant bill you in the currency of his country. You want the credit card to be made out in euros in the South and sterling in the North. If a merchant volunteers to make it out in a foreign currency - such as yours - he's not doing it in your interest, as - this board tells us - the conversion will be at a less favourable rate even than your bank will offer.

Many merchants' staff don't - or profess not to - understand this and appear genuinely to believe billing you in your currency is a courtesy to you. Personally, as a passionate believer in the cock-up, rather than the conspiracy, theory of history, I believe them: never attribute to malevolence what's explicable by stupidity. But whoever's right, getting them not to bill you in your currency is difficult. Good luck.

If you're buying from a travel agent, he would tell you it's cheaper to buy more through him, wouldn't he? None of us can tell you whether he's telling you porkies: but you can find out for yourself by simply checking the best current prices for flights and accoommodation on the web. I suspect 99 Fodors posters out of 100 wouold tell you you could do better yourself - but why trust second hand advice when a few minutes on te web will tell you for sure?

Cars: I drive a Ford Focus and find four grownups can travel in it in far greater comfort than I ever find even in midsize hired cars in the US. BUT, I can't imagine you could possibly get four people's luggage in the boot. Check the boot dimensions against your luggage on the Ford website (the numbers aren't that different from the model's GM, Renault etc competitors), but you'll probably be better going up a class.

Hi, Thanks for the tips everyone. The travel agent is in the US so I shouldn't have to worry about the DCC. I've copied all the e-mails to another file. I'll never remember next spring.

I will check out airfares/motel when I get a price from the TA. I haven't heard from her but my brother is just now getting ready to send off his passport stuff (despite his sister trying to get him to do it last summer <g>). I hate to bother her until I know that the passport form is in the mail (hopefully, this week). After our first trip (3 years ago), I can't believe that a TA can save me money but she was recommended by someone who travels to Switzerland yearly. The B&B's we've stayed at are way cheaper and usually more what we're looking for than the motels.

Thanks again,
Kathie

Hi the town north of Dublin is Skerries not Sperries and its a lovely small town

If a merchant refuses to change a charge to local currency (or pleads ignorance of how to do it), do this: write LOCAL CURRENCY NOT OFFERED over your signature, and dispute the transaction when your card issuer bills you. You will win, because the card network's operating rules specify that the choice must be offered. Don't forget to save your copy of the charge receipt.

I think the OP is talking about charging the ticket over the phone or electronically, so you don't get to sign the receipt. If you charge the ticket with your U.S. credit card, the European merchant could do the DCC without your knowledge. ((b))

I think the OP is talking about buying their tickets through a travel agent (at least, that's my interpretation of <i>We are buying our tickets through a travel agent).</i> In that case, there would be a signature document, and a place to write the annotation.

I'm thinking the OP is in the U.S., and the travel agent is in Europe, ergo buy the ticket in Euro vs. $$$. If the travel agent is in the U.S., then buy the tickets in $$$. If the travel agent is in Europe, buy the tickets in Euro -- then you will have to take the chance you will have encountered DCC without your knowledge/signature. ((b))

I think the OP's <i><b>&quot;travel agent is in the US so [s/he] shouldn't have to worry about the DCC.&quot;</b></i>

Well, let's hear back from the OP. What's up? ((b))