Did a comparison in Singapore. The rates with MC is about 0.15% better than Visa, and Visa is slightly slightly better than AMEX.

What confuses me is that Chase Sapphire Preferred has a slightly better rate than United Club card. They both are from Chase, and they both are Visa. But on different days, I always get better rates on CSP (like 1.2526 vs 1.2524).

Aren't they supposed to use the same rate, published only by Visa?

Yes, the rate should be identical. Also Visa vs Mastercard will be slightly different, and Amex will be quite different but it won't always work out in the favour of any particular network. They determine their rates a bit differently.

Just to update, since I had 2 separate stays here, on my 2nd stay I used a different credit card (ANZ Travel Visa Signature) cause I somehow lost my first one (got a replacement when I came home), and no DCC. I guess their machine was DCC compliant, just a matter of whether the staff knows how to use it.

"Knows how to use it" can be taken two ways though. Is always DCCing you NOT knowing how to use it, or is that "knowing how to use it" per directions from management...

My wife and I might head to Xiamen in September, but we'd likely stay at a Starwood property meaning that I'd use my AmEx. It's good to know that DCC can be disabled at these hotels.

Cool, you can read my reviews on TA. The Westin review is up, will write up Sheraton soon.

You can flip through my Flickr album at the bottom signature, all the pictures are there. ^

Thanks for the references. We'd be looking to take a ferry from Kinmen, but we'd have to get our paperwork in order. My wife needs to get a Táibāo, and I need to get a Chinese visa. However, after looking at the air pollution outside, I wonder if visiting would be hazardous to my health. :D

well, air pollution wouldn't be as bad as Beijing or other cities hehe..

Anyways, let's go back to talking about DCC. :D

We have a double case of Bankcomm Beijing DCC over at hongkongcard.com - one that cannot be avoided (Dadong), and one that can (RC, looks like dining) http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=12272&p=2

I just checked in to the Sydney Marriott at Circular Quay, and while I am doing this stay on points I was hypervigilant (or as much as I could be after 24 hours of travel from Philadelphia :D) and it seems like there is no DCC and the rate code was AUD. The authorization form made no mention of DCC, and the only thing was the disclosed credit card surcharge.

There isn't that much jetlag to Australia IME (GMT-8 to +11 is 19 hours difference which is only net 5 hours on a typical LAXSYD flight.)

No, there really isn't. I was just trying to make a joke. Coming from the east coast in the US I just stay up as late as possible and fall asleep a few hours into the flight. If I can stay asleep for 9-10 hours of the flight due to fatigue, I'm usually good when I wake up. QF 12 always lands around 6 am and is one of the first flights to land in the morning.

BankComm machines can "ALL" be turned off for DCC, IMO. You need to hit the red CANCEL button right after entering ENTER, when it shows CHECKING FX RATE. This is the way BankComm complies with Visa rules. I doubt there would be two firmwares for BankComm machines.

It depends whether the merchant would allow this CANCEL HITTING. It could be fear of unexpected fees, or having already the plan of outright ripping off customers with DCC. DCC fees are less than non-DCC fees for merchants.

So, ask carefully before choosing your card on these machines.

If you use AmEx, there is no DCC at all. I just tried my Platinum at a BankComm machine, notorious for DCC.

Bang! No DCC at all. The cashier was shocked... That person was shocked last time by my Discover Card, Hahaha~

I am gonna do a comparison, I will use my CSP, Chase United Club, IHG MC, AMEX Plat, and Discover It, to each purchase one item at a Starbucks, which doesn't have DCC for all cards. Then let's see which card has the lowest rate.

I understand they use different rates. But I am curious to know whether it's possible that, at one time, say, Visa rate is better than MC rate, and several days later, Visa rate fluctuates to a position worse than MC rate?

This is very much possible. I find my forex free MC and Amex compete against each other for the best rate when I use my GBP cards in the US. Amex use the rate of the transaction time though I think, whereas MasterCard and Visa use the settlement date.