Originally Posted by
Happy
They might be using the hotel gauging currency conversion rate to convert the local currency to USD, then charged that amount to your card.
Several years ago when I tried to use my GC at Skycity in Hong Kong and Sheraton in Macau - both properties told me the only way they processed GC would be to do currency conversion, at the hotel's own exchange rates which of course were very unfavorable. So I paid with CC instead. I have not had a single success in using GC successfully outside US. Even inside US, a local Sheraton insisted they could not use the physical card bought from a local Ren, but they could use eGC... It should be the same process from what I understand. But the FD Manager insisted the system told him GC not recognized... and then he kept pointing that it was for Ren, not for Sheraton... <roll eyes>
You’re very unlucky. I’ve used mine on all continents (except Antartica) with virtually no issues. It’s a bit more of a hassle than paying with a credit card but it does save me 20% (23% in Australia) so totally worth it.
BTW, on the back of the physical cards, it says “can be used at participating properties within Marriott portfolio” but I imagine a rogue property could just say “I’m not participating”. It’s very odd though that they would rather pay the merchant credit card fee.