I was worried about the reported rampant DCC in Spain. To my surprise, NONE happened during our few days in Madrid last week. The hotels all billed in Euro - 1 Marriott, 2 AC Hotels, 1 Crowne Plaza. All restaurant meals as well as fast foods were in euro despite I was never shown the handhelds. Did not buy anything so no idea on that front.

The only annoying thing is one of the AC hotels authorized the card used for booking a day BEFORE arrival, on refundable booking, and at the wrong rate (the rate was reduced after a Marriott Look No Further guarantee was approved and correctly reflected on Marriott site.) It also tried to authorize an unknown amount on a point stay booking. But the card on file had expired as the booking was made last Dec and the card expired in Feb. At check in I was told the card was invalid and I just gave them the new card. Much later I Found an email that I must provide a new card immediately (a day before arrival, on a point stay) otherwise the reservation would be canceled. There is no telling how much the hotel tries to authorize. This is the first time on hundreds nights of hotel stay around the world that I encounter a hotel would authorize the card on file a day before guest check in, on refundable booking and on award nights. Crowne Plaza MAD airport did put 10 euro test charge on the card on the day of arrival at around noon time per the Chase email alert on International authorization, but seemed to automatically reverse the charge once the card was proven being "good card" as I saw both the billing and "return" on the Chase IHG card online.