Avoiding the Foreign Transaction Fee

[Terrence0]

I have a suggestion for Airbnb.  Currently, they have a very inefficient policy that they pass off onto the traveler.

I have a credit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees (like many other avid travelers) - my bank covers these fees for me.  Airbnb charges foreign transaction fees to book based on location - in fact, if you are booking and you switch the currency to the local currency of the listing, you will see a 3% lower cost (the foreign transaction fee cost) than if you look at it in another currency.  For my last 2 trips I have attempted to pay in the local currency (for example, if I am travelling to France, I will try to pay in Euros), but Airbnb will not let me do this.  Instead, they force me to pay in US dollars because I live in the US (even though I want to and have tried to pay in Euros), then they take my US dollars, convert them to Euros themselves, charge me a 3% fee (which my bank would have done for me for free!), and then pay the host in Euros.  This is dumb and inefficient - even worse, they pass this inefficiency off on me.  Give customers the option to pay in the currency of their choosing.

[Priscilla286]

I use Airnbn very regularly and often change my mind on bookings. I like the fact that the price I pay will be the price refunded regardless of currency fluctuations! I also use Booking.com and have lost ££'s when cancelling and local currency was less beneficial than the amount I originally paid.  Take the rough with the smooth!

[Paul8290]

Why is there an international fee if your booking is USA and you live in USA.WTF

April 2022

AIRBNB doesn't make you aware during your booking

[Arturas5]

Hi, if you want to avoid currency exchange fees just open Revolut bank account, you will get 0% exchange fees when paying in other currency's, free debit card, free cash withdrawals etc.

I using Revolut for years now, doesn't cost anything and is very handy when traveling, other people use it as a main bank also.

Use my link on sign up and I will share half of the referee bonus , so 30eur for you 

https://revolut.com/referral/arturalm!AUG1-22-AR-H1 

Happy day's 

[Charlotte1068]

I've found this as well. I paid for a UK trip, with my UK bank account, and was charged in Euros then charged a foreign currency conversion fee? Seems a very weird way to get extra money! 

[Travis425]

Have you tried a vpn from the same country? I am curious to know because I host in Central America and provide credit card pay through Tilopay and it’s the normal 4 % fee. However this is from my website only on Wix platform.