To let everyone know what Barclaycard didn't seem to......
Barclaycard payments are made at an exchange rate that is very close to the BUSINESS RATE, not the TOURIST RATE, as I had been informed by almost everyone I asked at Barclaycard initially. They then add 2.75% to the cost of the transaction for commission.
This makes a big difference on large transactions, so thought I'd let you all know. I was amazed that none of the customer service advisers seemed to know how Barclaycard determined the exchange rate to use. The girl I spoke to this morning was actually on the ball and confidentally buttured me that this was correct, and indeed they use a rate close to the business rate.
For example of how much difference this makes, my visa application cost AUD 1305, which would have cost å£597 at the tourist rate, and å£562 at the rate given on xe.com (including commission). The amount leaving the account was actually å£567, which is much closer to the business rate. So good news all round as I'm å£30 better off than I thought!
Hope this helps you when making Aussie transactions.
-- Seabird
