Originally Posted by dogcanyon
It has been reported on FlyerTalk that some US credit card companies are now charging the 1-3% "foreign transaction fee" for charges made outside the US but in USD, so that would be double hit.
That would be me.
This is a complete
SCAM!
As I previously posted:
"There's one more twist to remember. Many stores try to charge you in dollars as a "convenience" to you. Of course they also charge a 3% conversion fee. Since the CC companies have no intention of giving up their 3% fee, their conversion fee becomes a "foreign transaction" fee. Now you get to pay a total of 6%!
Bottom line, if you use a CC do not allow them to convert to dollars - insist on being charged pounds (or whatever the local currency is). I've had to fight with cashiers who have insisted that I must pay in dollars (boss's orders!). I refuse and threaten to leave."
Paying in dollars is ABSOLUTELY optional! How can any legit (non-Third World) merchants refuse to accept their own currency?