Kandersteg help please

[kira]

what currency can you use to pay for your stay at kandersteg?

[big chris]

we paid 90% of our bill in advance by bank transfer and then we paid 10% in CHF in cash

[daveb123]

Originally Posted by kira

what currency can you use to pay for your stay at kandersteg?

We paid a good bit before and the rest I think by debit card - they didn't take credit cards though.

But if you choose to do that make sure you have enough money in the bank and ensure you inform the bank beforehand that you will be wanting to use it overseas.

I do know that our GSL who was paying did not realise they didn't take credit cards he paid part of the bill by his debit card but there was a limit as he hadn't told his bank and a few people ended up going to ATMs and drawing cash then all getting refunded when we go back home.

Have you checked how they will accept payment?

[kira]

they said cash, card or travellers cheques.
our treasurer is trying to sort out a card for us, the ones shes been looking at allow you to pay in sterling or euros.
i thought i read somewhere that kisc accept payments in sterling or euros.
we'll have enough money in the bank, we've been fundraising and got quite a bit more than we needed incase there was an emergency.
were just trying to find the safest way to pay now so we don't have to carry loads of cash around with us.

[DuncanHill]

According to their FAQs:

What currency will I need?
In Switzerland you need Swiss Francs (CHF). At the Centre you can pay your bill using
Swiss Francs, foreign currency notes (British Pounds, Euro or US Dollars) or €/CHF
travellers cheques. We also accept debit cards (Maestro, Visa Electron and PostFinance)
and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and American Express). There is a 2% fee on all cards, apart from Swiss debit cards.

[kira]

thank you

[daveb123]

Originally Posted by kira

they said cash, card or travellers cheques.
our treasurer is trying to sort out a card for us, the ones shes been looking at allow you to pay in sterling or euros.
i thought i read somewhere that kisc accept payments in sterling or euros.
we'll have enough money in the bank, we've been fundraising and got quite a bit more than we needed incase there was an emergency.
were just trying to find the safest way to pay now so we don't have to carry loads of cash around with us.

Take care with some cards that you load up with money as there is often a commission on loading the card then sometimes a fee to use overseas plus any exchange rates.

Personally, I think I would take cash for your known costs and pay that on arrival if you don't pay it before hand by other means.

I think that they do accept sterling, euro and possibly US dollars but you need to be sure.

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The Following Was Added to the post within 60 minutes of posting the above
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Originally Posted by DuncanHill

According to their FAQs:

So based on your info they do now accept credit cards and with no more of a fee than debit cards - so if one of you has enough of a credit limit you could use that method then claim it back on your return.

[PeterSheppard]

They also accept SWIFT transfer directly into their bank account. Average fee for sending that from UK banks is £40 though.

[Neil Williams]

Originally Posted by daveb123

We paid a good bit before and the rest I think by debit card - they didn't take credit cards though.

Given that international transactions by Visa debit card are processed through the same mechanism as Visa credit cards, people should beware if this is the case - it'll most likely only be *Maestro* debit cards, which are not as common as Visa ones in the UK, and some of the old ex-Switch ones supposedly have issues with some international transactions.

A merchant taking Visa internationally generally can't tell what sort of card it is, AIUI.

I'd be surprised by a restriction like that, as practically everywhere in Switzerland seems to take all sorts of card (with the one exception, for some reason, of some Co-operative Bank cards that seem to break the machines that are common over there - I have them investigating).

Neil

[PeterSheppard]

As a general rule, if the card number begins in a 4 or 5, its 99% guaranteed to be accepted everywhere.

If it begins in a 6, then its pot luck. And for those unfortunate enough to have a card number beginning in 3, you'd better hope you see some AMEX stickers on doors!

Yes, I deal with inbound international transactions in the day job!

[Neil Williams]

My Visa credit and debit cards all start 4. I get the AMEX bit, but what's a 6?

Neil

[PeterSheppard]

As far as UK-issued cards go, some switch/solo/maestro etc. But those can also be either 4 or 5.

[Neil Williams]

Cheers.

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by PeterSheppard

They also accept SWIFT transfer directly into their bank account. Average fee for sending that from UK banks is £40 though.

Much cheaper than paying the 2% card fee if taking a lot of people.

[MountainGirl]

Probably teaching Granny to suck eggs here, but...

I've always been told (by parents who have lived abroad half my life) that you should use a debit card for cash withdrawals (but making sure that you take out a decent sum each time - £50-£100 minimum) and credit cards for all purchases/accommodation etc...

Reason for this is that in addition to the standard 2ish% you pay on every foreign transaction, you also get a transaction fee (typically between £1.50 and £5 depending on the evilness of your bank ) every time you use your debit card. However, not a good idea to withdraw cash on your credit card either - you start paying interest instantly...

Do make sure to tell your bank before you go, especially if you bank with Natwest (who have stopped my mum and several of my friend's cards for 'unexpected' foreign transactions)...

Also, I will second Neil's comment about certain types of card breaking atms abroad. Do check first.

Mountaingirl