Originally Posted by
wco81
The other thing is they print out both USD and HKD totals. I put a check mark by the HKD total but my Chase app shows the USD total was charged.
Difference between the XE rate for the HKD total and the USD total they charged is about $1.40 USD out of a $35 USD bill.
I would be suspicious of the restaurant overcharging but the difference isn't that great. And more importantly, I never get the XE rate with Chase Sapphire Visa cards, even though they supposedly don't tack on any FTF.
So I don't think they charged me the USD rate and yet, its the exact USD amount they had on the receipt.
I think you've been stung by DCC - Dynamic currency conversion. It's one of the biggest cons out there.
I could write a long piece, but wiki has most of the details here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynami...ncy_conversion
Next time you need to ask for the bill solely in HKD. A dollar here and a dollar there may seem like very little, but if it happens regularly it will add up.
From what I understand most HK waiters earn between 40 and 60 HKD per hour. Not a particularly high wage, but livable with a local lifestyle and public housing/ living with family as most HKers do. And service charges here never go to the waiting staff - but it's unusual to tip any extra.