Travel Forum / Travel Types / Air Travel / November 2007

Sometimes the airlines US website will allow you to book a UK - US
return trip, and you pay in USD. I know that I have done this with
United no problem.

But you have to go to the US version of the website, and stay there.

HTH,
Hanne

All sales in the UK are denominated in pounds.   If you pay with any other
currency an exchange rate is involved.   There are no fares ex UK
filed/quoted in any currency other than GBP.   If anyone, anywhere in the
world, issues a ticket ex UK the fare will be in pounds.   Depending on the
precise circumstances if you pay in dollars a box called "equivalent fare
paid" may show some dollars.

If you want to pay using dollars two things you might want to investigate,
but I'm not sure they will be significantly better than your current
situation:

1) Pay using a USD denominated credit card.   Although cards charge a
service fee their actual exchange rate can be quite good (but it pays to
check with the issuer first).
2) Get you dad to contact the airline in the US.   Although the fare will
still be in pounds the airline will do the exchange and the rates are
usually fairly stable and don't involve a service fee.   He can then pay
using his dollar card or a cheque or whatever.   In the old days of paper
tickets the airline in the US would conatct the UK and tell them to mail you
the paper ticket - not necessary in these days of electronic tickets.   The
only thing I would say about this method is that you must be ultra careful
that your dad gives the airline your full legal name, not some family
nickname.