Originally Posted by
Majuki
Yeah, we didn't try to pay with my UnionPay card first.
The true test would be to go back to a place like Greyhound Cafe to see if it's possible to opt out of DCC or if they've turned it off. If so, it wouldn't be without precedent. For instance, Rainbow had started to opt out customers from DCC proactively based on complaints from customers.
I do agree that hotels will still try to do DCC, but there are some strategies to protect yourself anywhere. First, I use an American Express for the reservation and preauthorization at check-in. I will then substitute the card for a hotel branded one or travel one upon checking out. Since my primary brand is Marriott or SPG, this has become a complete non-issue with the SPG AmEx. This would cover almost all of my stays in a place like Hong Kong with the exception of perhaps the Conrad or Peninsula, but I imagine either place would be able to opt out of DCC without a problem.
The next visit I will have more time to try out some old favorites to provide an update on those places as well.
It depends on individual hotel. I once booked the L'Hotel at Tin Hau for a last minute need of several days before our original booked stays at Hyatt TST / IC HKG. The L'Hotel rates were very low at HKD 650, like 50% or more below their usual rate. It is a very convenient location to go to my brother's place at Braemar Hill which is the mid level of North Point and there is a Green Minibus between Braemar Hill and Tin Hau MTR and the 1st stop is right in front of the hotel.
I booked this on Booking.com as a Pay At The Hotel rate and guaranteed with an AMEX when we were at Park Hyatt Sydney - the stay would start in 3 days when we flew SYD-BKK-HKG.
Within 24 hours I got an email from Booking.com said the hotel refused the booking due to AMEX was not accepted as guarantee. Needed to be a Visa or MC. I could not change the card used thru my iPad. Booking kept rejecting the change. At the end, the on duty Concierge staff (it was 9:30PM local time and he would be off duty soon), used the computer on his desk, and took my booking info as well as the CC info to attempt the change - Voila, the change went thru. He then joked with me that I would soon see hotel reservations all over the world (he had my CC info.)
So it is not always possible to use AE.
Finally I seriously dont know why this Grayhound Cafe being mentioned so many times. Unless you are vegetarian otherwise what is the big deal?