I switched to a BOA Visa Travel Rewards card. Recently I paid a deposit of $100.00 USD on a golf cart rental. On my statement it showed a charge of $200.00 Belize dollars -- BUT the charge to my account was $100.88. I have spent several hours in person and on the phone with BOA and Visa and no one can or will tell me what this fee is. I've also paid for condo rent and they charged me 19.53 and 5.33 extra on those two charges-- so it can add up.

Has anyone else run into this and, if so, please let me know what you found out?

Thanks

The true exchange rate is not $2:00 BZ to $1:00 USD. It is around $1.98175 Bz or so.

And there will be foreign exchange fees added on by the banks also.

What Amanda states has been my experience also for the last few years.

Well, Amanda, you are right! Thanks!

I always thought the rate was pegged at 2:1 by law since 1978 but it turns out there is a floating conversion just as you say above. I'll be dipped in butter and call me a biscuit!! I got the card for no foreign transaction fees and I guess this is different...

Just got off the phone with BOA and turns out there is a website called: www.onanda.com. If you go there you can find the effective rate posted in the WSJ for any day in the past and what you pay to buy or sell a specific amount. Went to that day and put in the 200.00 charge and it came to .97.1440 USD but you pay 100.914 to buy the dollars in the exchange. Live and learn.

JR - It's not a floating conversion rate, it is a bank or currency booth buying and selling money and charging you a fee for doing so. They have to pay the tellers and keep the lights on and they charge you for doing the work of the exchange of currency.

You may also find private exchangers who pay a penny or two more than the 2 to 1.

Dianne thanks... I learn something every day. I am going to buy whatever I want and not bother worrying about it.

My bigger fear now it that it might be a rainy Christmas... rats. Hope not.

Merry Christmas to all from sunny South Carolina!