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Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) [2014-2016]

Old Jan 18, 2014, 10:10 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: emilio911
What is it?

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is a "service" some merchants and ATM operators offer that will charge a cardholder in the native currency of the card rather than the local currency. A more complete definition and examples are available via this Wikipedia article on DCC. While sold as a convenience to cardholders traveling outside of their home country, it is a pure profit play by the merchants. You may end up paying a fee of up to 8% over the purchase price for accepting DCC. Always decline DCC and asked to be billed in the local currency!



Where will I see it?

You can be hit with DCC anywhere there is a difference between your debit or credit card's denominated currency and the currency of the location where you're trying to use the card. The most common example will be at a merchant overseas, but now some ATMs are offering the service too. While many US cardholders complain about getting tricked into accepting DCC overseas, some merchants in the US have started to use DCC as well.

What is the issue?

Unless you're the merchant or ATM operator, there isn't much benefit to using DCC. Some customers say they prefer knowing exactly how much they'll be charged in their home currency or may not know the exchange rate of the place where they are visiting. For example, if you are in Prague for two days and you don't know how much the Czech Koruna is worth relative to the US Dollar, you might feel more comfortable knowing that you're buying an item for $205.00 versus 4000 CZK. However, the real exchange rate as of January 18, 2014 would place 4000 CZK at $197.18. You just paid an extra $7.82 for the "convenience" of knowing how much you'd be charged!

DCC often charges about a 4% premium over the true exchange rate. The problems don't stop there since many US banks still charge a 3% foreign transaction fee (FTF) for purchases made outside of the US. Not only would you get hit with the $205.00 charge, you could also find yourself facing a total charge of $211.15 if your card has a 3% FTF.

This is a pure money grab from the merchants, and it's billed as an easy way to squeeze additional revenue out of the transaction. Numerous [1, 2] articles have talked about DCC duping many consumers. Discover even has a warning about being tricked into DCC when using a card abroad.

For example, this FlyerTalk member reported that Avis charged his Saudi credit card in Saudi riyals instead of USD for a car rental in Florida without his consent. This has also been a trend for hotels, particularly large chains as indicated here and here.

DCC is simply not worth it for the consumer. Unless you like paying a convenience fee of up to 5% of the total transaction just to know how much you will be billed, you should always decline DCC and ask to be billed in local currency when handing over your card.

Furthermore, it is in your interest to obtain a card that has a 0% FTF. FlyerTalk member kebosabi maintains a fairly comprehensive spreadsheet of EMV-enabled cards ideal for overseas travel, many of which offer a low or 0% FTF as a feature. There is also a wiki at FlyerGuide of various FTF of debit and credit cards.

What can I do to avoid DCC?

American Express currently does not support DCC on its network, so you are safe from DCC if using an American Express card. However, Visa and MasterCard card networks can support DCC, so be vigilant when purchasing abroad with a Visa or MasterCard branded card. There have been reports of being charged DCC with a Discover card in China [citation needed], but primarily the issue is happening with Visa and MasterCard cards.

Before handing your card to the merchant, always specify clearly that you want to be charged in the local currency and that you do not want DCC. For some transactions, you retain control of your card as you dip it into a chip reader and can view on a screen to select which currency you want to use for the transaction. Always select the local currencyto get the best exchange rate. Do not select the card's native currency!

Similarly, for ATM withdrawals, make sure you decline any kind of conversions. Some good examples of what to look for when using an ATM overseas are here and here. You're probably coming off of a long flight and fatigued, but educating yourself beforehand can save you from getting ripped off. The user interfaces on almost all of these ATMs are set up to encourage you to take the bait, and you have to be extremely vigilant not to fall for it.

If you are doing a PIN-based transaction, you should have the opportunity to review the total amount and denomination of the transaction before entering your PIN. If you are doing a signature transaction and the merchant has processed your transaction with DCC, cross out the amount and write "DCC refused" on the receipt. Do not sign the receipt, and demand that the merchant reverse the transaction and run it in the local currency. If no verification is required due to a small purchase amount, ask the merchant to reverse the charge and repeat the transaction using local currency. If all else fails, file a dispute with your card issuer when you return home. Even if it's immaterial, the banks will get the message like they did with EMV.

Some merchants will claim that their systems have to bill you in your native currency. This is a complete lie. But just like a mag stripe only card, this is battle where you have to be prepared. Don't settle for merchants claiming that "it has to be done this way" or "pay cash if you don't want this". Be prepared to walk away, and, if you must complete the transaction, write "DCC refused & merchant didn't give a choice" on the receipt and cross out the amount. Let the merchant know that you will be filing a dispute with your bank.

Disabling DCC

Disabling DCC on ANZ terminals in Australia

ANZ markets DCC as Customer Preferred Currency (CPC). Terminal operators can contact ANZ Merchant Services at 1800 039 025 to have this feature disabled. Currently, your Visa or MasterCard will be subjected to DCC if denominated in: CAD, CHF, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, MYR, NOK, NZD, SEK, SGD, THB, USD, or ZAR. All DCC transactions on ANZ will cause a 2.5% markup. Steps to avoid DCC:
  1. Insert, swipe, or tap your payment card
  2. Have the cashier select credit (CR)
  3. The terminal will display CREDIT ACCOUNT
  4. If applicable, enter your PIN
  5. The terminal will display PROCESSING \ PLEASE WAIT
  6. The terminal will display EXCH <exchange rate> \ <currency> <amount> \ ACCEPT RATE? \ ENTER=YES CLR=NO
  7. Instruct the cashier to press the yellow CLEAR (CLR) button (If entering a PIN, you can retain the terminal to perform this step yourself. If entering a signature, you can ask for the terminal to control this process, not indicating that it's a chip-and-signature card.)
  8. The transaction should now process without DCC

If you see a signature slip with DCC verbiage and a checkbox indicating a currency selection, kindly ask the merchant to void the transaction. If it's a PIN-based transaction, you have an additional opportunity to cancel the transaction because it will ask for your PIN a second time. For instance, if you see "EUR 17.29 KEY PIN" refuse to enter your PIN and start again.

Disabling DCC in China

There are many reports of forced DCC in China, and there is a great thread [closed to new posts] on DCC in China on the the China Destinations forum.

Disabling DCC on Bankcomm terminals in Beijing http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=12272&p=2 #19

jair101's DCC instructions of March 2011 http://www.etveg.com/misc/DCC_China.pdf

Disabling DCC in Eurozone and UK

DCC offered in tourist traps (Harrods Knightsbridge/Galleries Lafayette Montparnesse/El Cortes Ingles Grand Via Madrid)

Unlike the rest of the world, Visa Europe does not require merchants to collect a ticked box on the slip (presumably because merchants there don't keep signed slips under Chip-and-PIN)
El Cortes Ingles collects a signature electronically and the DCC selection is made on the signature pad - the choice is respected.
Harrods and GL rely on cashier input in the POS for the currency choice - the cashier may forget to ask. The POS do not offer voiding (only refunds), but since you're given a slip to sign the best thing to do is to deface it before signing and submit chargeback request to issuer bank on return home.

There may be smaller merchants who also collect DCC but I seemed to have pre-empted most of them by saying "charge Euros (Pounds) please"

In Spain all merchants by law are required to provide you with a complaint form called an hoja de reclamaciones if requested. The form has two carbon copies. The customer retains one copy as a record of the complaint. The merchant maintains another copy, and the third is sent to the local consumer protection bureau. Merchants are also required to post a sign conspicuously informing the customer of the right to complain (usually in Spanish and English). Do not accept the lie that they don't have any forms. This is illegal, and you are able to call the police if the merchant refuses to provide you with this official form. It's interesting to see merchants start to squirm when you know the rules, and most merchants will start to be accommodating after you mention it. (Please still fill out the form even if the merchant cooperates after mentioning it because these are likely the merchants who won't otherwise change their behavior.)

Disabling DCC in Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong and Macau can get as non-compliant as China, possibly because many acquirers have cross-border operations and know they can get away with non-compliant firmware and procedures.

In practice, if you are given a DCC slip, and the cashier has not taken a choice before giving you your copy, the slip will be processed in your home currency - be prepared to dispute.

Unable to disable Global Payments DCC in Hong Kong instance #1, instance #2

Unable to disable DBS DCC in Fortress Electronics HK

Unable to disable BoC DCC in Free Duty HK

Disabling DCC in Japan and Korea

Japan's just starting out http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...ing-japan.html and http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=3939&p=17 #168 but there are no reports I know of where cardholders are compelled to use DCC against their will.

Korea is also not much affected by DCC but where offered, trying to opt out is harder than Japan due to the language barrier (both verbal and written)
http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...hp?id=4303&p=3 #23
http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=12272&p=2 #11

Disabling DCC in the Maldives

Disabling DCC on Global Payment terminals in the Maldives

Disabling DCC in Thailand and Taiwan

DCC present but generally not an issue. Cashier will generate quote slip is usually generated and pass to cardholder. When cardholder refuses, a verbage-free slip denominated in THB/TWD will be produced.

Certain Taiwan hotels may take deposits in cardholder currency. But these are only pre-authorisations and can be voided in full for TWD-only final checkout payments.

Disabling DCC on Websites

Airbnb - (Since the "loophole" seem not to work anymore, please report if you chargeback the DCC. )
Hotwire - You need to select your preferred currency before making a search.
PayPal - The instructions to stop the DCC on a recurring charge are here.

I got duped by DCC already before I found this thread. Is there anything I can do?

If you've been hit with DCC and the merchant did not follow the Visa/MC rules, you should file a dispute with your card issuer. Even if the transaction is a small amount, it's worth it to dispute the charge on principle. Do not let merchants get away with this scam uncontested!

If you were not clearly given a choice of currencies and did not specifically communicate a preference to be billed in your card's native currency - if you did not accept DCC - then you have recourse when filing a dispute with your card issuer. The Visa Product and Service Rules clearly state (p 339):
  • Merchants that offer DCC must be compliant with the regulations
  • Inform the cardholder that DCC is optional
  • Not impose any additional requirements to use local currency
  • Not use any language or procedures that may cause the cardholder to choose DCC by default
  • Not convert a transaction in the local currency to the card's billing currency after the transaction has completed
  • Ensure that the cardholder expressly agrees to DCC

You can even use terminology from Visa Product and Service Rules when filing the dispute, giving Reason Code 76: Incorrect Currency or Transaction Code. Reason Code 76 is used when the transaction was processed with an incorrect transaction code, or an incorrect currency code, or one of the following:
  • Merchant did not deposit a transaction receipt in the country where the transaction occurred
  • Cardholder was not advised that Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) would occur
  • Cardholder was refused the choice of paying in the merchants local currency
  • Merchant processed a credit refund and did not process a reversal or adjustment within 30 calendar days for a transaction receipt processed in error

MasterCard's rules also clearly state that the POI Currency Conversion must be decided by both the merchant and customer. When filing a dispute with a MasterCard, list chargeback Reason Code 4846 from the MasterCard Chargeback Guide, which covers POI currency conversion disputes in the following circumstances:
  • The cardholder states that he or she was not given the opportunity to choose the desired currency in which the transactions was completed or did not agree to the currency of the transaction, or
  • POI currency conversion took place into a currency that is not the cardholder's billing currency, or
  • POI currency conversion took place when the goods or services were priced in the cardholder's billing currency, or
  • POI currency conversion took place when cash was disbursed in the cardholdeer's billing currency.

You do have a choice of currencies. Exercise that choice!

Do not get taken by surprise when faced with DCC, and know your options. As Visa/MC purport, you do have a choice of currencies, but you need to make that choice heard! Don't be complacent in this sneaky tactic by some merchants to pad revenues.

Before going to a different country, get educated. Understand the exchange rate relative to your native currency. Know how to recognize when the merchant is trying to force DCC on the transaction, and pull out all of the stops to make sure it doesn't happen to you.

If you have a chip-and-PIN credit card, it's easier to control the transaction to try to prevent DCC. With chip-and-signature, if you get an uncooperative merchant, deface the merchant's copy of the receipt. Write LOCAL OPTION NOT OFFERED, cross out the DCC currency amount, and sign the receipt.

This will give additional evidence when filing a dispute to get the DCC charges refunded. When filing the dispute, you can use the Visa Exchange Rate Calculator or MasterCard's Currency Conversion Tool to determine the Visa or MasterCard exchange rate on the date the transaction posted to your credit card. Compare this to the DCC value to figure out the amount by which the merchant overcharged you. Don't forget to add in any Foreign Transaction Fee if your card has one. (If it does, you should really consider finding a card for use overseas without a FTF. )

Example Images (click for a larger image)

Hotel receipts in China, the Netherlands, and Dubai respectively:



Purchase receipts in China and Korea:




Cancelled translation in Hong Kong:



Novotel in Shenzen:

Print Wikipost

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) [2014-2016]

Old Jan 15, 2015, 7:24 am
  #1606  
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On the other hand if you were a Swiss cardholder travelling in China you'll be cursing the DCCing banks for a double rip-off right now.

HSBC (not sure if just HK or globally) also screwed up by not updating its CHF rate between 19:30 and 19:45 allowing customers to arbitrage http://hkm.appledaily.com/detail.php...issue=20150115 .
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 2:04 pm
  #1607  
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Originally Posted by YuropFlyer
Ha! We finally found a case where DCC was saving you 25%

Anyone which got DCC scammed in the last days in Switzerland (and the regular conversation was only due today or later) saved 30% on currency exchange, as the SNB just stopped their 1.20 rate and the CHF gained 30% against all currencies.

So, any foreigners who bough stuff at ZRH yesterday and got scammed - you didn't. You scammed back
So for these rare, non-repeatable events the DCC proponents say we're naysayers because they can point to this and say, "See! See! You're locking in the rate." I guess it's good for those currency hedgers out there.
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 3:09 pm
  #1608  
 
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Originally Posted by Majuki
So for these rare, non-repeatable events the DCC proponents say we're naysayers because they can point to this and say, "See! See! You're locking in the rate." I guess it's good for those currency hedgers out there.
Probably it was all made up by the DCC creaters

No, seriously, I guess you've read some of my contributions to this thread, and found myself to be strongly Anti-DCC. My posting was more meant humours, exactly in the way you're posting (this is the once-in-a-lifetime experience where DCC pays off for the customer)

Unless the whole world economy goes crazy, or you're in a country having ....-crazy inflation (where DCC - I'm sure of that - wouldn't be offered ) - DCC is obviously always a scam. This event today was so rare that it will only be happening once every few years for a single currency - so the chance of you hitting it is probably less than the Saudis allowing a all-you-can-drink beer festival )
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 3:28 pm
  #1609  
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Originally Posted by YuropFlyer
Probably it was all made up by the DCC creaters
We'll learn that this was a broad plan orchestrated by Global Payments.

Originally Posted by YuropFlyer
No, seriously, I guess you've read some of my contributions to this thread, and found myself to be strongly Anti-DCC. My posting was more meant humours, exactly in the way you're posting (this is the once-in-a-lifetime experience where DCC pays off for the customer)
Yes, I understood your humor as I hope you did mine. I'm sure you can look for this in First Data's next white paper on why DCC is beneficial to the customer. "DCC can lock in the exchange rate, so you know exactly how much you will be paying. This is beneficial in situations where the exchange rate changes overnight. For instance, in January 2015, those who accepted the DCC offer saved over 20% when the Swiss Franc appreciated considerably."

Originally Posted by YuropFlyer
Unless the whole world economy goes crazy, or you're in a country having ....-crazy inflation (where DCC - I'm sure of that - wouldn't be offered ) - DCC is obviously always a scam. This event today was so rare that it will only be happening once every few years for a single currency - so the chance of you hitting it is probably less than the Saudis allowing a all-you-can-drink beer festival )
Speaking of which, I remember a post from one of the travel forums where the guy's traveling companion complained to the FA that he couldn't find the beverage selection on the menu on Saudia.

I guess it's time for you to do some more traveling with your stronger CHF! Will the Swiss ATMs still dispense the 1000 CHF notes?
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 7:31 pm
  #1610  
 
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DCC on the rise in Spain/Portugal

Ive gotta say that the DCC situation in Spain and Portugal has gotten out of hand rapidly. Of my last twelve credit card transactions, only five times was it not offered. Three times it was offered and the vendor accepted my refusal. Twice the vendor simply handed me a credit card slip in dollars for signature, resulting in lengthy discussions in two different foreign languages before they were withdrawn. And two hotels simply took my written refusal, threw it in the trash after I had left, and unilaterally billed my card in dollars.

The first hotel only nicked me for about $5 and I decided to ignore it. The second, with its DCC upcharge of 7 percent, got me for $28. I have them dead to rights with photographs of my written refusal. Ive contacted them and they graciously offer to refund my $28. I have disputed the entire transaction with MasterCard and requested that the hotel be prohibited from DCC transactions entirely.

The situation has become bad enough that such aggressive reactions become necessary IMHO.
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 7:56 pm
  #1611  
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Originally Posted by MChevreul
I have disputed the entire transaction with MasterCard and requested that the hotel be prohibited from DCC transactions entirely.
Sorry to hear. We were only offered DCC only once during our five-day stay Barcelona and Madrid in 2013 (using HKD Visas and Mastercards throughout) but this information may be dated.

Let me know if Mastercard International responds to the ban request. I'm not expecting they will unfortunately.

Last edited by percysmith; Jan 15, 2015 at 8:45 pm
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 8:00 pm
  #1612  
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Originally Posted by percysmith
Let me know if Mastercard International responds to the ban request. I'm not expecting they will unfortunately.
Mastercard generally refers you to your issuer. Forget about a ban, I'd be very impressed if they even sent them a warning letter.
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 8:49 pm
  #1613  
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I assume because this is EU, no check box is given? The slip already has finalised DCC verbage?

Did you have an AE with you, and consider voiding the DCC slip and using an AE?
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 10:17 pm
  #1614  
 
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Even though DCC's may only be in the low single digit percentage of the bill, it could actually be a huge difference in a business' margins. I would not be surprised if this becomes more a norm rather than the exception.

I guess it's time to for me to apply an Amex with no FTF.

When using Amex to avoid getting charged the DCC, you do not really need to ask for another slip, right? You just give them your card and Amex processes the bill without the DCC?
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 10:27 pm
  #1615  
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Originally Posted by RTWRide
Even though DCC's may only be in the low single digit percentage of the bill, it could actually be a huge difference in a business' margins. I would not be surprised if this becomes more a norm rather than the exception.

I guess it's time to for me to apply an Amex with no FTF.

When using Amex to avoid getting charged the DCC, you do not really need to ask for another slip, right? You just give them your card and Amex processes the bill without the DCC?
However, it depends on where the business is and in which industry. A restaurant in Macau is far more likely to ensnare people with DCC than an optometrist's office in rural Taiwan. I certainly as a business owner would not count on ancillary DCC revenue to make my bottom line.

The American Express network does not support DCC, so the merchant will bill you in the local currency always. With AmEx you never have to worry about DCC. Problems arise, however, because not all merchants take AmEx, and some Visa/MC cards have more lucrative rewards. There are also few AmEx products with 0% FTF, but things seem to be moving in that direction for more of their products. (The Delta cards are now 0% FTF.)
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 11:27 pm
  #1616  
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Originally Posted by MChevreul
Ive gotta say that the DCC situation in Spain and Portugal has gotten out of hand rapidly. Of my last twelve credit card transactions, only five times was it not offered. Three times it was offered and the vendor accepted my refusal. Twice the vendor simply handed me a credit card slip in dollars for signature, resulting in lengthy discussions in two different foreign languages before they were withdrawn. And two hotels simply took my written refusal, threw it in the trash after I had left, and unilaterally billed my card in dollars.

The first hotel only nicked me for about $5 and I decided to ignore it. The second, with its DCC upcharge of 7 percent, got me for $28. I have them dead to rights with photographs of my written refusal. Ive contacted them and they graciously offer to refund my $28. I have disputed the entire transaction with MasterCard and requested that the hotel be prohibited from DCC transactions entirely.

The situation has become bad enough that such aggressive reactions become necessary IMHO.
Would you care to name and shame the hotels for our reference here? I'd like to see the receipt with the 7% DCC offer if you can redact personal information and are in a position to post it. That's just criminal and probably no improvement over cash exchange rates at airport bureaus de change. I witnessed a fellow FT member on this trip get scammed at nearly 6% at a souvenir shop near Parc Gell.

A protip for hotels - but I can't always guarantee that this method will work - is to use a DCC-free card like AmEx upon check-in for the preauthorization and then switch the card upon checkout. Just tell the receptionist that you want to charge the bill to a different card. I did this at Hotel Arts in Barcelona in February without issue, and I've been doing this at the Novotel in Taoyuan. My trip prior to that was in

I haven't been to Portugal, but in Spain every merchant is required to have hoja de reclamaciones sheets at the establishment. Sometimes they'll say they don't have them, but this is illegal. You are within your rights to call the police to make a sworn statement, and if you call their bluff they will definitely capitulate.

I always specify that I want euros in a place like Spain, knowing how awful the DCC situation is there. Of the 7 DCC transactions, 3 asked if you wanted euros or your card's currency? For the 2 arguments with the merchant, did you end up paying cash after voiding the sale or get them to rerun the transaction without DCC? Finally, I'm trying to understand the mechanics of the hotel's DCC. Was it integrated with the guest folio, or did you have to sign a thermal or carbon copy receipt upon checkout?

I'm happy that you're disputing the charge. Which card is this, and who is your issuer? Be sure to specify that it's a Reason Code 4846. How did you make a written refusal? Did you deface the credit card signature slip? There must have been something you signed for the charge.
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Old Jan 15, 2015, 11:40 pm
  #1617  
 
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Originally Posted by percysmith
You mean they only pass on the 1% Visa/MC part of the Foreign Currency Conversion fee or do the PRC banks absorb that too?
Yes, the bank absorbs the 1%.

It's a game of timing, namely you are choosing getting hit by the crappy UnionPay rate, or having the good Visa/MC rate then later getting hit by the crappy bank rate...
If you can anticipate EX fluctuation you may get something out of it.

Usually this benefit applies to Platinum Cards and above with at least 1000 RMB annual fee. My wife's CCB Platinum has it, my ICBC Platinum does too.

Originally Posted by tmiw
Interesting, UnionPay actually recommends using DCC in the US? (http://www.unionpayintl.com/column/e...SA/index.shtml)
Originally Posted by AllieKat
No. It's the opposite. They're recommending you select RMB and NOT USD.
Originally Posted by percysmith
Err no. Literally read they are recommending dual-branded cardholders accept DCC!


http://www.unionpayintl.com/column/z...SA/index.shtml

"如使用双标识卡,持卡人在美国无法选择银联网络支付,如商户提供动态货币转换服务(DCC),选择人民币 支付不通过银联网络结算!"

I can't get my head around it though - are the Visa/MC portion of the dual-branded cards now allowed to be denominated in RMB? I thought this was not allowed?
Guys, please don't forget dual-currency cards issued in CHN usually has USD as the default currency of the "dual" channel. It is a native card when used in USA.

It's going to Europe which posses a challenge. But there are also EUR dual-currency cards and even multi-currency cards (not simply dual currency cards without 1% exchange fees).

It's pretty interesting here in China. Also the rewards programs are always bad and you can miss a lot of points by what they call MCC clone or the sort. IMO Chase Sapphire Preferred beats all the cards in China. Just remember the IHG "infinite" card issued by BOC in China gives you only 10000 points for sign-up and carries a 20000 RMB annual fee, whereas the IHG Chase MC has a USD 49 annual fee and usually gives you 80000 points for sign-up.
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Old Jan 16, 2015, 12:32 am
  #1618  
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Originally Posted by zyxlsy
Yes, the bank absorbs the 1%.
Nice. Something HK banks don't do. But if reward programs are counted HK cards will kick their PRC counterparts all over the schoolyard.

Originally Posted by zyxlsy
Usually this benefit applies to Platinum Cards and above with at least 1000 RMB annual fee. My wife's CCB Platinum has it, my ICBC Platinum does too.
All right. I have to try and see the card type before I give advice to tourists then. Frankly I've not seen anyone use a PRC Plat card in anywhere with a queue, so I guess I can continue to say Unionpay.


Originally Posted by zyxlsy
Guys, please don't forget dual-currency cards issued in CHN usually has USD as the default currency of the "dual" channel. It is a native card when used in USA.

It's going to Europe which posses a challenge. But there are also EUR dual-currency cards and even multi-currency cards (not simply dual currency cards without 1% exchange fees).
So how does one "select RMB" per Unionpay's recommendation? Head still spinning.

Originally Posted by zyxlsy
It's pretty interesting here in China. Also the rewards programs are always bad and you can miss a lot of points by what they call MCC clone or the sort.
MCCs excluded from earning bonus points earn you mean.
Also a lot of merchants either miscode or "lease" a card terminal from a lower fee category merchant.

http://english.cmbchina.com/CreditCa...4-90cfd9dad556

The following consumption scenarios does not accumulate bonus points:

Code of merchant type
Merchant type

1520
General contractor residence and office building

7013
property agent estate agents

5271
Motorhome distributors

5511
Automobile and wagon distributor selling and leasing new or used automobiles, providing repairs and other services, and selling spare parts.

5561
Caravan and recreational vehicle distributors

5598
Sledge sellers

5599
Distributors selling automobiles, aircraft, and agricultural vehicles

5013
Automobile and spare parts wholesalers

5021
Office and business furniture wholesalers

5039
Wholesalers of construction materials not included in other codes

5045
Computer and auxiliary device wholesalers

5046
Wholesalers of construction materials not included in other codes

5051
Metal product wholesalers and service providers

5065
Electric equipment and spare parts wholesalers

5072
Hardware tools and product wholesalers

5111
Stationery, office supplies, copy and writing paper wholesalers

5137
Wholesalers of uniforms and clothes for men, women, and children

5998
Other wholesalers

6012
Financial product and service providers

7299
Providers of private services not included in other codes

8062
Public hospitals

8211
Public primary and secondary schools

8220
Public universities and colleges

8398
Charitable and public service organizations

8399
Non-profit service providers

8651
Governmental authorities

9211
Legal expenses, including alimony and the maintenance of child/children

9222
Penalties

9223
Bail money

9311
Taxes

9399
Fees for governmental services such as social security and statutory services not included in other codes

9400
Charges by embassies and consulates

5541

5542
Petrol bills/ Gas station

4511
Air tickets/ airline purchase

4111
4121
4131
4784
Other transport fees

5722
Electric home appliances

4814

4899
Telecommunication services

5994
7523
9402
Public utility services
percysmith is offline  
Old Jan 16, 2015, 10:52 pm
  #1619  
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 12
Originally Posted by Majuki
Would you care to name and shame the hotels for our reference here? I'd like to see the receipt with the 7% DCC offer if you can redact personal information and are in a position to post it. That's just criminal and probably no improvement over cash exchange rates at airport bureaus de change.

I haven't been to Portugal, but in Spain every merchant is required to have hoja de reclamaciones sheets at the establishment. Sometimes they'll say they don't have them, but this is illegal. You are within your rights to call the police to make a sworn statement, and if you call their bluff they will definitely capitulate.

I always specify that I want euros in a place like Spain, knowing how awful the DCC situation is there. Of the 7 DCC transactions, 3 asked if you wanted euros or your card's currency? For the 2 arguments with the merchant, did you end up paying cash after voiding the sale or get them to rerun the transaction without DCC? Finally, I'm trying to understand the mechanics of the hotel's DCC. Was it integrated with the guest folio, or did you have to sign a thermal or carbon copy receipt upon checkout?

I'm happy that you're disputing the charge. Which card is this, and who is your issuer? Be sure to specify that it's a Reason Code 4846. How did you make a written refusal? Did you deface the credit card signature slip? There must have been something you signed for the charge.
1) First hotel, Dublin Hilton, no mention of DCC at any time, handed me bill in Euros on departure and I signed slip in EUR, but was billed in USD anyway so they must have discarded the first slip and substituted another. Second hotel, a Spanish parador, as described below.

2) Of the seven DCC transactions, five asked, and three accepted my "no" without a problem. Two others ignored my "no" and attempted to bill with DCC, one successfully; two others never asked but simply did the DCC, one of which made it to my credit card bill. In the two cases where I was able to stop the attempted DCC, I made them redo the transaction and did not pay cash, but it was a big PITA.

3) I'm aware of the hoja de reclamaciones and would certainly have called for it had I known what was going on, but I didn't find out until I got my credit card bill.

4) The card is United Presidential Plus and the code is Other for grossly unsatisfactory product, I am challenging the entire bill on grounds of attempted theft, not on grounds of DCC.

5) The method of the scam should be seen in the three images I'm trying to append: at checkout, front desk prepares a base bill in EUR. I am asked whether I wish to pay in dollars, I say no. Out pops a DCC consent form; I check the EUR box and sign it. Attendant: "Can I put this all in an envelope for you?" Folds everything up and staples it and puts it an envelope. I never see or sign any credit card receipt. What she presents to me appears to be the base bill with the DCC form stapled to it, EUR selection plainly visible. In fact, she has slipped a completed credit card transaction with DCC, complete with the certification that I was offered a choice of currencies and chose USD, between the two invisibly. The commission (undisclosed) was about 7.7 percent (EUR/USD=.7477 vs. 8056 charged that day by my card on another transaction.)

I do have clear photos of everything but it is not obvious to me how to post them within a message; the "Insert Image" button seems to want a URL.
MChevreul is offline  
Old Jan 16, 2015, 11:45 pm
  #1620  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,027
Originally Posted by MChevreul
The method of the scam should be seen in the three images I'm trying to append: at checkout, front desk prepares a base bill in EUR. I am asked whether I wish to pay in dollars, I say no. Out pops a DCC consent form; I check the EUR box and sign it. Attendant: "Can I put this all in an envelope for you?" Folds everything up and staples it and puts it an envelope. I never see or sign any credit card receipt. What she presents to me appears to be the base bill with the DCC form stapled to it, EUR selection plainly visible. In fact, she has slipped a completed credit card transaction with DCC, complete with the certification that I was offered a choice of currencies and chose USD, between the two invisibly. The commission (undisclosed) was about 7.7 percent (EUR/USD=.7477 vs. 8056 charged that day by my card on another transaction.)

I do have clear photos of everything but it is not obvious to me how to post them within a message; the "Insert Image" button seems to want a URL.
You need to use a third party image hosting site. I typically use imgur.com. There is a BBCode link that you can copy and paste here. However, for the IMG URL, be sure to add a t before the file extension. For example, if the imgur filename is abcde.jpg then make sure the URL is abcdet.jpg. This will display the thumbnail sized image here on the forum, and people can click through to the full-size image.

I suppose this would be clear with the images, but:

1) The base bill is the hotel's standard folio (on something like A4 paper), not a credit card terminal receipt, right?
2) The DCC consent form/check boxes are also on the A4 size sheets?
3) You have the credit card terminal receipt with "no signature required" and DCC scam sandwiched between the two sheets?

You said this hotel graciously offered to refund the $28. Have you informed them what's up, and they're only acting sheepish since they got caught red-handed?

I've never had anything as dishonest as a merchant discarding a signed signature slip. I know there are some merchants - see our posts on Greyhound Cafe - which simply ignore the selection and the terminal defaults to DCC, but these are sure bets when you dispute the transaction.

Thanks for your detailed reply, and posting the photos would be helpful. A 7.7% rate is crazy, and it violates Visa/MC DCC policy if the rate is undisclosed.
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