Originally Posted by
Will Fly Småland
The Danes have their own local debit card: the "Dankort", which totally dominates the market and is highly loved by the locals because the government-regulated fees are low, but disliked by anyone else, since it makes the acceptance of VISA/MC so low and expensive. How this can be compatible with the SEPA (Single European Payment Area) rules is something I have never understood.
My workaround is to use cash withdrawn with a Swedish debit card that has no ATM fee.
This is a controversial issue. If you pay in Denmark e.g. with your AmEx I understand that it may be possible that AmEx takes up to 10% of the purchase price (up to 5% in transaction fees from the retailer, up to 4% in foreign exchange fees from you and the rest in annual fees). NICE BUSINESS, AMEX!
If you use a Dankort or similar, the fee to cover the costs is something like 0,35% (if the card would have no annual fee). No wonder AmEx is able to offer you some MR points with their card.
I admit the best thing would be to have some kind of EU/Worldwide debit cards with low transaction fees. But while waiting for one, I fully understand that retailers want to charge the difference in fees from the consumer.
But if they don't, then I will use my point-earning card for sure!
(The one without the currency exchange fees)