$$ Rate - Had a Horrible Thought!

[Sweetie Babes]

I booked our car months ago, when the dollar rate was up around $1.63. The price was locked in for me (we're paying on arrival) at the $ rate at the time (about £255). I asked what would happen if the rate changed, and he said it didn't matter as the price was locked in.

It now occurs to me that it wouldn't matter - if we were paying Sterling. Obviously, paying when we get there means we'll be paying the $ amount which is around $415 (can't remember exactly).

I've just done a quick calculation and the difference in rates means that we'll be paying about £20 more for the car if we pay in $$.

Has anyone got any experience of this? Am I worrying unnecessarily, or should I just 'suck it up' and not worry about it?

I also note that car hire has rocketed recently - some people seem to be paying over £100 more than me for a similar or lesser category! In that respect it's probably not worth worrying about some £20 - especially as OH is the one actually paying for the car this year.

[sha9]

You're right. As you're paying in dollars the amount you pay in sterling will depend on the exchange rate so although it's locked in, it's only locked in in dollars.

[Sweetie Babes]

Having just done a quote with Alamo/Brits, I'm going to stick with that we've got. The new price for the same vehicle, dates, number of drivers etc has rocketed from £256 to £386!

I don't feel so bad about that £20 extra OH has to pay now.

(Edit: just realised that this same thing applies to the offsite hotel we've booked, as well! Oh well ...)

[sha9]

Sounds like a good deal either way.

[WB72]

If you book with Alamo Brits and pay on arrival, it is the sterling rate that is locked in and the dollar rate is adjusted to when you collect the car. As you have mentioned Alamo Brits then you should not lose out, the amount of dollars you have to pay will have gone down

[Big Dog]

Originally Posted by WB72

If you book with Alamo Brits and pay on arrival, it is the sterling rate that is locked in and the dollar rate is adjusted to when you collect the car. As you have mentioned Alamo Brits then you should not lose out, the amount of dollars you have to pay will have gone down

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This is the correct advice.

If you booked your car and it was £100 for easy figure at $2 to the £1 then you'd be told your estimate as $200, if in the meantime it drops to $1.50 to the £1 on arrival you would be billed $150 in essence you are still paying £100, the only other charge you may see on your credit card statement is if you don't have a free card like clarity you will see a foreign currency fee normally 2.99%.

Nothing to worry about, I've did this many times.

[Sweetie Babes]

Really? Hmmm. The thing is, I don't know for sure that I WAS booked in as 'Alamo/Brits'. As I said, the on line booking failed and it gave a phone number to ring, so I rang it. The person I spoke to hadn't heard of the Alamo/Brits discount thing but matched the price. So, am I booked via Alamo/Brits or just given a preferential rate with a second driver included?

I've just examined the printouts (I've done 'Savetime' as well), but while it says "estimated cost $411" it also says "estimated cost £257.65". It then goes on to say that the final price will depend on whether we take the fuel (we won't) or car seats (nope) or extra insurance (definitely not).

I could ring them up and ask, of course. I also don't know whether they'll charge us at collection or drop-off at the end of the holiday.

[DIBBadmin]

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