Pay foreign currency by transfer or by credit card?

[Bez]

I have a bill to pay in Swedish Krone.

The company I need to pay to has requested that I transfer the money into their accout.
As I do not have a SEK currency account I have been informed by my bank that they can send the money but that there would be a �23 fee for doing so and the bank's exchange rate at the time of transfer would apply.

Does anyone know if it would be cheaper to try and pay the amount by credit card?

Thanks in advance

[Ethel]

Depends on the amount and the credit card.

The Nationwide is the very best card for foreign transactions, as there is no loading.

[Bez]

My current account is a standard Nat West account, and my credit card is also with Nat West (I always pay off any balances so no interest charge on the credit card).

Does that information help?

[Bez]

Sorry Ethel, forgot the amount - 5,300.00SEK

[Ethel]

So that's around �388.40.

It works out around 6% charge, which is steep.

I don't know NatWest's charges, but under 3% is typical.

Would the company be prepared to accept payment by credit card - if they want to charge another 2.5% or so, you may as well go for the bank transfer.

It may be worth while asking the company to share the costs - this is not at all unusual in many European countries.