Using Credit Cards in China - The Great CC Rip Off (dynamic currency conversion)
Jun 30, 2012, 11:38 pm
#766
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 375
I just stayed at two different IHG properties in China recently. The Crowne Plaza in Xi'an tried several times but was unable to bill in RMB, so I finally paid cash. The Holiday Inn Aqua City in Nanjing billed in RMB (after I had explicitly asked them to). I was pleasantly surprised. I had expected to have to pay cash again.
Jul 17, 2012, 12:32 pm
#767
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,419
This may help stimulate some changes:
"WTO: China Discriminates Against U.S. Credit Cards".
(Wall St. Journal--if the link doesn't take you to the full article, google the title and that link will).
"WTO: China Discriminates Against U.S. Credit Cards".
(Wall St. Journal--if the link doesn't take you to the full article, google the title and that link will).
Jul 17, 2012, 12:55 pm
#768
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,805
This may help stimulate some changes:
"WTO: China Discriminates Against U.S. Credit Cards".
(Wall St. Journal--if the link doesn't take you to the full article, google the title and that link will).
"WTO: China Discriminates Against U.S. Credit Cards".
(Wall St. Journal--if the link doesn't take you to the full article, google the title and that link will).
Not really.
The ruling makes RMB-denominated Visa, MC and/or Amex cards a possibility.
But it will very probably be restricted to Mainland China income earners or persons with substantial liquid assets in Mainland China.
Given currency controls (which the WTO has not struck down) it is highly unlikely a non-Chinese issuer can issue a RMB-denominated card.
See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...hk-22.html#323 for a discussion on the difficulties on getting a RMB-denominated card outside the PRC at present.
Jul 31, 2012, 4:20 am
#769
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Any Updates for Bank of China
Compared to instructions posted in 2011?
Jul 31, 2012, 10:06 am
#770
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,055
Aug 1, 2012, 5:32 pm
#771
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Turns out didn't even need to try. Fairmont Hotel Beijing. Early check out night before at the Gold Club. Manager just ran credit card for RMB, no issues no fights on DCC. Said they could do in home bank currency also if desired. Add +1 on the positive data point side.
(Fairmont is lovely, BTW, much less hustle-bustle than places like China World, the Westin, etc. Wonderful Gold Club Lounge with very personalized attention.)
(Fairmont is lovely, BTW, much less hustle-bustle than places like China World, the Westin, etc. Wonderful Gold Club Lounge with very personalized attention.)
Aug 4, 2012, 2:23 am
#772
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Aug 14, 2012, 11:58 pm
#773
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
Finally figured out how to do it without "tearing out the phone line".
1- Perform the transaction as normal.
2- As soon as "VISA(or MC) 查询汇率" pops up, press the red "cancel" button.
3- The same screen as you'll see after the missing phone line pops up, except it says "OPTOUT" this time. Press "CNY" (the left soft-key).
4- Enjoy your DCC-free transaction.
So just like the BoC machines of old. I'm surprised this didn't occur to me (or anyone else) sooner.
This is a DCC-free HSBC thermal slip.
1- Perform the transaction as normal.
2- As soon as "VISA(or MC) 查询汇率" pops up, press the red "cancel" button.
3- The same screen as you'll see after the missing phone line pops up, except it says "OPTOUT" this time. Press "CNY" (the left soft-key).
4- Enjoy your DCC-free transaction.
So just like the BoC machines of old. I'm surprised this didn't occur to me (or anyone else) sooner.
This is a DCC-free HSBC thermal slip.
Aug 21, 2012, 7:34 am
#774
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Yes, it's a chip transaction. You can see at the very bottom of the slip. The "AID:xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" identifies which chip application was used, and won't show up on a card without a chip.
...is it not working for mag-stripe cards?
EDIT: tried with my EMV-less Chase UA card, it does NOT show the rate-check screen if you use the stripe, so no way to opt out without using the "disconnect phone line" method. A very curious incentive to get a chipped card. mnredfox might want to put this in so that people with magstripe-only cards who try my instructions don't get confused when it doesn't work.
...is it not working for mag-stripe cards?
EDIT: tried with my EMV-less Chase UA card, it does NOT show the rate-check screen if you use the stripe, so no way to opt out without using the "disconnect phone line" method. A very curious incentive to get a chipped card. mnredfox might want to put this in so that people with magstripe-only cards who try my instructions don't get confused when it doesn't work.
Last edited by jamar; Aug 23, 2012 at 3:28 am
Aug 23, 2012, 10:31 am
#775
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott // WN, AA, BA, UA, AS // Avis
Posts: 1,314
Sadly, and despite my very best efforts, I did get DCC'd at the Grand Hyatt in Beijing.
Fortunately it was only for around $180US, so not talking about a huge amount of money... but I had been able to avoid/stop it a few times.
When checking out, was in a bit of a hurry and just forgot.
Ah well.
Fortunately it was only for around $180US, so not talking about a huge amount of money... but I had been able to avoid/stop it a few times.
When checking out, was in a bit of a hurry and just forgot.
Ah well.
Aug 24, 2012, 7:18 am
#776
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,419
Sadly, and despite my very best efforts, I did get DCC'd at the Grand Hyatt in Beijing.
Fortunately it was only for around $180US, so not talking about a huge amount of money... but I had been able to avoid/stop it a few times.
When checking out, was in a bit of a hurry and just forgot.
Ah well.
Fortunately it was only for around $180US, so not talking about a huge amount of money... but I had been able to avoid/stop it a few times.
When checking out, was in a bit of a hurry and just forgot.
Ah well.
I have had several hotels DCC me (although I did ask to be billed in RMB) and every one of them has reversed the original charge. While I had the receipt noting my choice in most instances, they never asked for any proof.
Sep 17, 2012, 8:47 am
#777
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: Greyhound Vermillion Mithril
Posts: 693
I wonder if anyone has experience with buying things online from retailers such as amazon.cn, 360buy.com, or newegg.cn? Will they charge DCC? Thanks!
Sep 17, 2012, 12:28 pm
#778
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,055
Sep 17, 2012, 2:30 pm
#779
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 76
Wow, I didn't realize that there are so many problems with Chinese credit cards. Thanks for all the info!
Last edited by medium_alpaca; Jul 1, 2013 at 2:38 am
Sep 17, 2012, 5:30 pm
#780
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
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Yes, it's a chip transaction. You can see at the very bottom of the slip. The "AID:xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" identifies which chip application was used, and won't show up on a card without a chip.
...is it not working for mag-stripe cards?
EDIT: tried with my EMV-less Chase UA card, it does NOT show the rate-check screen if you use the stripe, so no way to opt out without using the "disconnect phone line" method. A very curious incentive to get a chipped card. mnredfox might want to put this in so that people with magstripe-only cards who try my instructions don't get confused when it doesn't work.
...is it not working for mag-stripe cards?
EDIT: tried with my EMV-less Chase UA card, it does NOT show the rate-check screen if you use the stripe, so no way to opt out without using the "disconnect phone line" method. A very curious incentive to get a chipped card. mnredfox might want to put this in so that people with magstripe-only cards who try my instructions don't get confused when it doesn't work.
In PRC I use my SCB card but it has tried to draw from my HKD acct....
I've also been presented with mandatory DCC in which case I pay RMB cash.
(I always carry around 60 in China)