Originally Posted by
zyxlsy
Encountered my first DCC attempt in New Zealand.
Novotel Christchurch asked me whether I want to settle in USD. I said no, and NZD charged.
I think for other hotels I always say "NZD please" preemptively, so no attempts were made before the Novotel.
Other than that, never seen DCC in the Kiwi Country. Also saw so DCC in Tahiti and Bora Bora.
Yeah, it's probably best to preemptively specify the local currency at hotels. While you might end up getting a few blank stares it's better than the alternative.
In other news, I finally convinced my spouse to let me try her TWD Visa on a local purchase at Kinokuniya (Japanese bookstore) in San Jose. This was after an unsuccessful attempt to her her to buy something at Macy's or Nordstrom. The purchase was for $10.82, but Bank of Taiwan is showing a pending transaction amount of NT$357. The Visa exchange rate shows the amount as being NT$336, so something is causing a 6.25% markup. She told me that Bank of Taiwan charges 1.5% a currency conversion fee, but we can't explain the rest. I'm thinking it might be the case like using Discover at Uniqlo in Japan where the pending transaction amount is higher than what the posted amount will be.
I'll report back after the transaction posts, but I don't think she'll be using the card in the US anymore, not even in the interest of science.
She says we shouldn't pay an extra 1.5% if we can avoid it.