Originally Posted by
milty908
I feel like this is getting worse and worse. Usually HK and Taiwan is not too bad about DCC but I've noticed almost every credit card slip I used had DCC. Even if the cashier specifically said they are charging in local currency, I still see the DCC amount on my online activity. I've been putting in several disputes a month for small amounts for DCC, and I'm sure the CC companies are getting annoyed as well as I think they still have to review each case manually.
Has this occurred in Taiwan? Taiwan has at least in my experience for the last 4 years or so been almost completely compliant in respecting cardholder choice. Hong Kong is largely compliant, but there are examples where DCC slips past even with explicitly signing and checking the box on a carbon copy piece of paper. However, yes, I do feel as though I see DCC in more places now, but perhaps I've simply become more aware of the scam. I got hit multiple times in Spain in 2006, which was my first time abroad on my own. I didn't even know it had happened. However, two things were different back then. First, the issuer would charge a foreign exchange fee of 3% (before I had 0% FTF cards) only if the charge was in local currency; DCC presented in USD and prevented the 3% charge. Second, the DCC markup was about 3% (perhaps even .05-.2% less) at the time, so it wasn't egregious like the 5% markups we see today.
The
pending amount will typically show in DCC for the transaction regardless of the selection, but the
posted amount will reflect if DCC has actually been charged. Who is your card issuer and what type is it (Visa or MC)? Has the issuer been good about getting cases of DCC charged in local currency?