|
Post by cybee on Jun 23, 2007 12:18:20 GMT -5
Yes, I too was "surprised" by the credit card fees! (I did alert one credit card as to my planned trip and happily (and perhaps miracuously, that credit card never charged me any fees on any of my transactions over the pond! I saw none on my bill...unless it was hidden..but the charges met up with my saved receipts (of course, there was conversion there..could have missed it there?)and truly I do not see where else they would have hidden any such fee?! hmm!) (that was a Chase mastercard). Maybe I was just lucky? On that same trip, I unwittingly used another card too (i.e. did not realize this was a less good deal) and did receive charges for every purchase over seas (fortunately, I used that card less). So.....I don't know if they still have that excellent deal or not! Otherwise , we did cash via ATM (which has fees).
|
|
|
Post by Anne on Jun 23, 2007 14:01:33 GMT -5
Cybee, I don't know anything about American credit cards of course, but my bank does indeed "hide" its fees in the conversion rate of my mastercard overseas payments or withdrawals : 1% for non-euro European countries, 2.25% for all other countries . Your bank may well be doing something similar ... I would be surprised to hear about a bank giving up an opportunity to charge fees
|
|
|
Post by Penny on Jun 23, 2007 14:19:49 GMT -5
if you have your receipt (in Euro) divide the dollar (what bank/CC) charged you by the Euro amount. This will show you what the exchange rate was. this is an example only Euro 400, CC charged $600. the exchange rate was $1.50. the amount and fee on Mine charges were listed separate, amount charged, fee. added 2 together and then divided. came out to just 1 cent difference on the rate when I withdrew in cash from ATM. LOL hope this made sense. I did know ahead of time what my CC would charge since I had charged some transportation before arrival.
|
|
grunblack
Full Member
Can't wait to get back...
Posts: 132
|
Post by grunblack on Jun 25, 2007 4:50:34 GMT -5
I can't even think about the conversion, the $AUS is getting better but it's still pretty bad. I figure when I'm in Paris, it would have taken me 20 hours (minimum) to get there so I'll buy what ever I want (without going crazy of course!!!).
|
|
|
Post by goldenmama on Jun 25, 2007 5:04:16 GMT -5
I totally agree grunblack! After all of the planning and waiting, I don't want to walk around counting pennies. Or euros. You know what I mean!
|
|
grunblack
Full Member
Can't wait to get back...
Posts: 132
|
Post by grunblack on Jun 25, 2007 5:05:43 GMT -5
Goldenmama - it'll be the same when we plan our first holiday to the States!!
|
|
grunblack
Full Member
Can't wait to get back...
Posts: 132
|
Post by grunblack on Jun 25, 2007 6:05:26 GMT -5
Another thought - what about hats in Paris? Are they worn, what styles should be considered for travel? Thanks
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 25, 2007 8:12:36 GMT -5
I would predict seeing very few hats in Paris. Women often wear scarves with all types of clothing (casual included), but I don't recall ever seeing hats (but if you have one or two you love, and you won't feel selfconscious being about the only one in a hat, go for it!)
|
|
dep0515
Full Member
Next time I'm hiding in your suitcase.
Posts: 205
|
Post by dep0515 on Jun 25, 2007 8:36:14 GMT -5
Sorry if this is a foolish question , but I hear so much about Parisian women wearing scarves.....what kind of scarves are they? The pashmina style? Smaller scarves? Solid colors? I have several pashminas that I can bring along, but don't want to if they will look out of place.
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 25, 2007 9:05:23 GMT -5
They won't look out out place, so bring (but only if there's room in the luggage -- don't stress yourself about taking things like that, you're not going to feel out of place if not wearing one; I mentioned only because that's the accessory I noticed most and it's only just starting to catch on in the US). You see all types and worn with all kinds of outfits, but my recollection is that most often it will be an accent in solid color and rectangular and looped through itself with the ends hanging down in front. For a fun approach to this, I would say maybe wait until you're there, see what everyone is wearing, and if you happen to be in a store that sells them, just pick up one or two that you can wear if you like.
|
|
dep0515
Full Member
Next time I'm hiding in your suitcase.
Posts: 205
|
Post by dep0515 on Jun 25, 2007 9:06:53 GMT -5
Thanks, Becky! I will use any excuse to shop while in Paris!
|
|
|
Post by Anne on Jun 25, 2007 9:10:54 GMT -5
They wear the Hermès kind of scarves during the day, at least during sring-summer-autumn . Them being really Hermès is even better of course ... I never allow hubby to forget about that ;D
|
|
dep0515
Full Member
Next time I'm hiding in your suitcase.
Posts: 205
|
Post by dep0515 on Jun 25, 2007 9:33:24 GMT -5
Anne, Genuine Hermes would be nice, but if I start buying those, I won't have any money left to get to Paris!
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 25, 2007 9:47:36 GMT -5
I found a very nice scarf in Italy (silk, in a style reminiscent of Hermes) at a very reasonable price that I wear frequently with camel/black -- so it can be done! And among other things, I suspect that Parisian women haunt the resale shops (depot-vente) for "last year's styles" (aka, vintage) to get "the real thing" at good prices.
|
|
dep0515
Full Member
Next time I'm hiding in your suitcase.
Posts: 205
|
Post by dep0515 on Jun 25, 2007 9:48:52 GMT -5
Not a bad idea, Becky! Are there any well-known resale shops that I should make a point of visiting while in Paris?
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 25, 2007 9:58:37 GMT -5
Dep, I haven't tried doing this yet but I'm sure that others on this site have done it -- any thoughts out there?
|
|
|
Post by luckyluc on Jun 25, 2007 10:00:17 GMT -5
I do remember buying some Hermès with a lady friend at 109, rue de Courcelles in the 17ème.
And my young nieces (20,22 years old) really like Le mouton à 5 pattes at 8 and 18, rue Saint Placide in the 6ème. But that is more unsold end of season, not really dépot-vente.
|
|
|
Post by luckyluc on Jun 25, 2007 10:01:08 GMT -5
Truffaut c'est quoi le truc rue de Pompe? I forgot the name...
|
|
|
Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 25, 2007 10:01:31 GMT -5
Luckyluc, still sounds like "good deal" to me -- I will keep this in mind for my next trip to Paris! Thanks.
|
|
dep0515
Full Member
Next time I'm hiding in your suitcase.
Posts: 205
|
Post by dep0515 on Jun 25, 2007 10:07:51 GMT -5
Great, Luc, thanks! I will check these out when I am there.
|
|