Originally Posted by
AllieKat
That's the thing, the MAJORITY of customers want DCC, even when they know the exchange rate markup, I think most people are indifferent - they'll try to opt-out if possible (usually) if they know the difference, but they don't really care much.
That's how DCC survives. There's no real alternative. Amex, but they have very few FTF-free cards. Discover can stop DCC, but as I learned it can also result in FORCED DCC.
I thought Discover was immune to the DCC disease?
I'm uncertain if a majority of customers want DCC when they're aware of the markup, especially if they have a 0% FTF card. I think the scam continues because people end up paying for their ignorance. They first pay by not using a 0% FTF card and pay again when being corralled toward DCC. I got ripped off multiple times on my first trip (and subsequent trips) to Spain simply because I was ignorant of what it was. I remember asking the waitress in Spanish why I was seeing USD on the receipt and her reply was something to the effect of, "It's only for your information." I fell for it at the time, and it was only after visiting the fine city of Macau with a fixed exchange rate to HKD (and my association USD) how much I was getting ripped off.
I will not prevent people from paying for their ignorance (although I try to coach), but at least give those in the know a way to opt out.
Originally Posted by
TravelinSperry
That's not true anymore... Amex has been removing fts from many of its cards now. Starwood Amex, Delta Amex and Premier Rewards Gold Amex no longer have ftfs.
For stateside issued cards, AmEx has become a viable option to prevent DCC, but we've determined informally on this thread that the exchange rates aren't as favorable as a 0% Visa/MC if you're converting from a currency without a fixed exchange rate. For example, with a USD-denominated card you're okay to use AmEx in HK or China since the exchange rate is fixed for HK or a narrow band for China. In fact, my wife mandated I use AmEx after an upscale dinner in Hong Kong one night to avoid a scene when the bill came.
