Paying in AUD $ on Etihad website

[miclyn111]

I am trying to book directly on etihad airline website BKK-LHR J , cost appears in thai baht.
OK I know how to work out currency conversion and am happy with the price.
I want to use a credit card for payment- is it better to pay in baht or AUD $?
I can't find how to change this on their website to pay in AUD$ - anyone guide me thru' this?
Will I need to produce my credit card at check in at BKK?

miclyn111

 

[moa999]

I am trying to book directly on etihad airline website BKK-LHR J , cost appears in thai baht.
OK I know how to work out currency conversion and am happy with the price.
I want to use a credit card for payment- is it better to pay in baht or AUD $?
I can't find how to change this on their website to pay in AUD$ - anyone guide me thru' this?
Will I need to produce my credit card at check in at BKK?

miclyn111

generally better paying in local currency (there is often a 3-7% margin built in the conversion) and your credit card may charge you a foreign fee anyway as it is a foreign biller - you only lose if rates move suddenly in meantime
if you cant see it maybe only accept thb
only if it tells you

 

[Travel Guru]

I'd definitely pay in the local currency, dynamic currency conversion (DCC) will almost always get you as there's always a margin built in as additional commission for the merchant (for more info google DCC)

TG

 

[Major]

Somewhere along the line you will pay a currency conversion commission. Converting on the Etihad website will add on their costs and the CC provider will also want their profit.

Paying in the local currency always seems to produce the best result.

 

[miclyn111]

Thanks for all the responses- looks like local currency(baht) is best option, due to the fees involved.
Would a TA( in Aust) be happy to book this cheap fare , will they give me the choice of currency?
I am thinking they would only do this in AUD$.
I have only previously booked thru good experienced TA but she has moved on.... and other FC crew not as savvy.

She was happy for me to find fares/ routes and she could tweek the finer details-
After reading peoples experience here on AFF I am trying to go at it alone- with a bit of expert AFF help

miclyn111

 

[Travel Guru]

It's likely being ex BKK that an Aust TA won't be able to access it, but if they can it'll be payable in AUD only as the currency is converted in the GDS (in a better conversion rate than DCC).

If you post your travel dates and the THB price you're getting I'm happy to check in my GDS to see if it's bookable here.

TG

 

[miclyn111]

It's likely being ex BKK that an Aust TA won't be able to access it, but if they can it'll be payable in AUD only as the currency is converted in the GDS (in a better conversion rate than DCC).

If you post your travel dates and the THB price you're getting I'm happy to check in my GDS to see if it's bookable here.

TG

Thanks TG, here are travel dates/details- travel dates are flexible, have decided to fly on to MAN (avoid LHR), all in J etihad
BKK 15/5/12 @20 35 hrs- MAN
MAN 19/6/12 @21 30 hrs- BKK
Etihad web site quoting 88,240 THB when I do a dummy booking

miclyn111

 

[Travel Guru]

Hi Miclyn111, I checked and the best fare on offer booking here in Australia would be A$3484 inc taxes, so several hundred more than the THB price converts over from.

TG

 

[miclyn111]

Thankyou TG for doing this......
expedia is quoting AUD $ 2840 , jetabroad a bit higher
any loopholes/ beware caveats doing this from australia?
I have read on forums here need to show c/card on check in.
miclyn111