I haven't bothered to read most of the replies...


But if they don't ask then they are billing in local currency.
If they ask (this tends to occur with companies that operate internationally) then always pay in local currency as paying in GBP can incur exchange fees.

End of story (as your son doesn't have time to obtain a card that has no extra fees for foreign use, and it ain't going to bankrupt him anyway).

 

You should have read my reply

 

Maybe, although it just so happens this exact same question was posed to Martin Lewis on Radio 5 a few days back, and the caller was advised to always pay in local currency.

 

Decided against a currency card.

Before I departed I had a quick look at rates and took a gamble, just taking £500 in Euro which would probably last me a few days....... The rest I'm exchanging abroad.

1£/€ Rate at
Asda 1.08
Post Office 1.075 but will match a better rate
Manchester Airport 0.95 (shockingly ****)
Lazarote Itself 1.08 cash exchange (no fee) 1.09 card (no fee), or 1.01 at a cash point with huge fees

I had seen a 1.10 in a poxy side street, but would guess it would be subject to fees, will check tomorrow.