Maximize Your Amazon Savings This Black Friday

Last Updated: November 21, 2025 — This guide has been updated with current Amazon exchange rates and Black Friday 2025 deals.

Amazon's Black Friday deals have already kicked off a week in advance, and Bajans are eagerly shopping for great discounts. Amazon offers free international shipping to Barbados on eligible orders over USD 49, but not all products qualify—you'll need to look for the "FREE Shipping" message on product pages. However, whether your shipping is free or not, one critical question often goes overlooked: should you pay in BBD or USD when checking out?

Did You Know? Paying in USD instead of BBD on Amazon could save you money on every purchase. In this article, I will:

• break down Amazon's fees and hidden costs

• compare USD and BBD payments using real-life examples

• share tips to maximize your savings.

How Does Currency Conversion Work?

Currency conversion fees seem small, but they add up over time, especially for frequent online shoppers. Let's explore how paying in USD versus BBD impacts your total costs.

1. Pay in BBD via Amazon's Currency Converter

1. Amazon converts the USD price to BBD using their advertised exchange rate (1 USD = 2.0 BBD).

2. They then add an "Exchange Rate Guarantee Fee" of 2% on top of the converted amount to your total.

3. Your bank applies the Central Bank's 2% Foreign Exchange Fee (FXF) as a separate line item on your statement. This fee applies even if you pay in BBD.

Did You Know?
Even if you opt to pay in Barbados dollars when using your credit/debit card, you will still incur the 2% Foreign Exchange Fee. According to the Central Bank FAQ:

"Even if you opt to be charged in Barbados dollars when you purchase an item with your credit card, you will still have to pay the FXF. This is because even with this option, your bank must still use foreign currency to pay the company you purchased the item(s) from."

2. Pay in USD and Let Your Bank Convert

1. Your bank sells you USD at approximately 2.03 BBD per USD (the Central Bank's standard selling rate). Some banks like Scotiabank may offer better rates around 2.01 BBD per USD.

2. The Central Bank's mandatory 2% Foreign Exchange Fee (FXF) is applied on top of the converted amount and appears as a separate charge on your statement.

Key Difference: Amazon's Exchange Rate Guarantee Fee makes paying in BBD more expensive, while USD payments avoid this additional fee.

Visual breakdown: Paying in USD saves you Amazon's 2% markup

⚠️ What is Amazon's "Exchange Rate Guarantee Fee"?

When you check out with Amazon's currency converter, you'll see a line item called "Exchange rate guarantee fee" added to your total. According to Amazon's tooltip:

"This fee enables you to pay in BBD on Amazon.com and guarantees the exchange rate at the time of order... you will be refunded the full amount paid to Amazon in case of return thus protecting you from exchange rate fluctuations."

Sounds reasonable, right? Here's what they don't tell you:

Amazon doesn't clearly disclose how much this "guarantee" costs you. By analyzing real purchases, we can see it's consistently 2% of your order subtotal—which means you're paying more for the "convenience" of seeing a BBD price upfront.

Simple Example:

Let's say you're buying something for USD $100:

• Without the fee: $100 × 2.0 = BBD $200 (the actual exchange rate)
• With Amazon's guarantee fee (2%): BBD $200 + $4 = BBD $204
• You pay an extra $4 BBD just to see the price in your currency

Is the "guarantee" worth it?

Amazon frames this as protection against exchange rate fluctuations on returns. But here's the reality for Barbadian shoppers:

• The BBD/USD exchange rate has been fixed at 2:1 since 1975
• It hasn't changed in decades and is highly unlikely to change
• You're paying 2% for "protection" against something that effectively won't happen

The bottom line: You're paying a 2% premium for Amazon's "convenience." Let's see how this plays out with a real Black Friday purchase below.

A Real-Life Example: Saving Money on a Garmin Forerunner Smartwatch

As a runner, I've been eyeing the Garmin Forerunner 165 Smartwatch. This isn't an affiliate link—just something that caught my attention during Amazon's early Black Friday deals. Here's the cost breakdown:

• Item Price: USD 199.99
• Shipping: USD 18.73
• Import Fees Deposit: USD 86.22
• Total: USD 304.94

Note: This particular listing includes shipping costs because it doesn't qualify for Amazon's free shipping program—likely because it's sold by a third-party seller. However, the currency conversion principles remain the same whether you're paying for shipping or not.

Amazon's checkout showing the BBD price ($622.08), which includes their hidden 2% fee.

Calculations for Paying in BBD

1. Amazon's Base Exchange Rate (1 USD = 2.0 BBD):
   304.94 × 2.0 = 609.88

2. Add Amazon's Exchange Rate Guarantee Fee (2%):
   609.88 × 1.02 = 622.08

3. Add Central Bank's 2% FX Fee:
   622.08 × 1.02 = 634.52

Final Total (Paying in BBD): BBD 634.52

Calculations for Paying in USD

1. Central Bank's Exchange Rate (1 USD = 2.03 BBD):
   304.94 × 2.03 = 619.03

2. Add Central Bank's 2% FX Fee:
   619.03 × 1.02 = 631.41

Final Total (Paying in USD): BBD 631.41

Key Takeaway: Paying in USD saved BBD 3.11 in this example by avoiding Amazon's Exchange Rate Guarantee Fee.

Which Bank Offers the Best Exchange Rate?

Amazon's exchange rate is the same regardless of whether you use a debit or credit card (2.0 BBD per USD + their 2% fee). However, your bank's exchange rate can vary when you pay in USD:

• Standard Central Bank Rate: Most banks sell USD at approximately 2.03 BBD per USD
• Scotiabank: Offers a better rate around 2.01 BBD per USD (as of 2025)
• Other Banks: Rates may vary—check your recent statements to see what rate your bank charges

Why This Matters: If you're using Scotiabank's rate of 2.01 instead of 2.03, you save an additional 2 cents per USD dollar. On a USD 300 purchase, that's an extra BBD 6 in savings on top of avoiding Amazon's 2% fee.

Tip: Check your credit card's exchange rate on recent international purchases to understand what rate your bank offers. Some credit cards may provide better rates than debit cards from the same bank.

Key Insights for Barbadian Shoppers

1. Pay in USD for Savings: Avoid Amazon's Exchange Rate Guarantee Fee (2% markup) by paying in USD.

2. The "Guarantee" Isn't Valuable in Barbados: Since the BBD/USD rate has been fixed at 2:1 since 1975, you're paying 2% for protection you don't need.

3. The FXF Always Applies: The Central Bank's 2% FX Fee is unavoidable and appears as a separate charge on your statement. Paying in USD means you only pay this fee—not Amazon's additional 2% markup.

4. Do the Mental Math: If the BBD price is noticeably more than double the USD price, you're paying Amazon's hidden fee.

5. ⚠️ Returns Consideration: If you frequently return items, paying in BBD may be simpler. When you return an item paid in USD, your bank "buys back" the USD at a lower rate (often below 2:1), meaning you could receive less BBD than you originally paid. For purchases you're confident about keeping, USD is still the better choice.

Pro Tips for Black Friday Shoppers

• Check for the "FREE Shipping" Badge: Not all items over USD 49 qualify for free shipping. Products sold by third-party sellers or certain special items may still have shipping charges. Always verify the product page shows "FREE Shipping" before adding to cart.

• Combine Eligible Orders: If you're buying multiple items, make sure they're all eligible for free shipping to reach the USD 49 threshold and maximize your savings.

• Know Your Bank's Policies: Some banks may offer slightly better rates than the Central Bank's 2.03 rate, though differences are usually minimal.

• Always Compare USD vs BBD: Before clicking "Place Order," toggle between currencies to see the actual difference in cost.

• Time Your Purchases: Black Friday week deals change daily—the same item might have a better discount today than yesterday.

Conclusion

Amazon's Black Friday deals offer significant savings, especially for items that qualify for their free shipping program. However, paying in USD typically results in better value for Bajan shoppers by avoiding Amazon's Exchange Rate Guarantee Fee—a 2% markup that provides minimal real benefit since the BBD/USD exchange rate has been fixed at 2:1 since 1975.

The difference might seem small on individual purchases (BBD 2-3 per item), but it adds up over time. During a major shopping event like Black Friday, those savings can mean an extra purchase or two with the money you save.

Bottom line: Always select USD at checkout, let your bank handle the conversion, and keep that extra 2% in your pocket.

Found this helpful? Share it with a friend who's shopping on Amazon this Black Friday!