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Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) [2014-2016]

Old Jan 18, 14, 11:10 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 Jul 18, 14, 10:07 pm
  #781  
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Originally Posted by moondog
Yes, they are great about this. Many Chinese banks actually do charge an ATM fee, but Schwab always (well, not quite always) credits me for this.
Has it ever happened that Schwab credits you the wrong amount (because the fees were included in the total and they couldn't possibly figure it out)?

Also, how much is the charge if ATM does charge you in China?
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Old Jul 18, 14, 10:42 pm
  #782  
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Originally Posted by zyxlsy
Has it ever happened that Schwab credits you the wrong amount (because the fees were included in the total and they couldn't possibly figure it out)?

Also, how much is the charge if ATM does charge you in China?
They credit me between 20 cents and $2.50 per withdrawal, and it takes them 2-3 days to do this. Sometimes their system doesn't catch the fees, but if I cared, I could press them on it.
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Old Jul 18, 14, 10:55 pm
  #783  
 
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Originally Posted by moondog
They credit me between 20 cents and $2.50 per withdrawal, and it takes them 2-3 days to do this. Sometimes their system doesn't catch the fees, but if I cared, I could press them on it.
So it's not a accurate calculation?
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Old Jul 19, 14, 2:21 am
  #784  
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Originally Posted by zyxlsy
So it's not a accurate calculation?
Again, I don't care what the amount is because I get it reimbursed 95% of the time. I could press for reimbursements during the remaining 5%, but that's not my style (Schwab is a very nice bank).
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Old Jul 19, 14, 2:56 am
  #785  
 
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Originally Posted by moondog
Yes, they are great about this. Many Chinese banks actually do charge an ATM fee, but Schwab always (well, not quite always) credits me for this.
I've never had any Chinese ATM charging me a fee when getting money with my German DKB card (similar to your US-american card, worldwide free ATM usage, and they also refund, should there be a local fee slapped on you), which banks ATM did this happened to you? Interested, as I'll go to China next week again, and want to be prepared on it.
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Old Jul 19, 14, 8:57 am
  #786  
 
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Originally Posted by moondog
Again, I don't care what the amount is because I get it reimbursed 95% of the time. I could press for reimbursements during the remaining 5%, but that's not my style (Schwab is a very nice bank).
I am very interested in getting rid of my BoA card and move the account to Schwab. I just wanna know whether it is like they reimburse $2 for a $4 fee every time, so to speak...

If the total is almost even, I am definitely in. I am just curious how they determine how much to refund.

So when having Schwab, you don't care about which ATM to go to when being abroad, right? Nice!
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Old Jul 19, 14, 9:07 am
  #787  
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Originally Posted by zyxlsy
I am very interested in getting rid of my BoA card and move the account to Schwab. I just wanna know whether it is like they reimburse $2 for a $4 fee every time, so to speak...

If the total is almost even, I am definitely in. I am just curious how they determine how much to refund.

So when having Schwab, you don't care about which ATM to go to when being abroad, right? Nice!
You can use any ATM in the world, and they will cover the fees. The reason I don't hound them over the 5% of withdrawals that evade their radar is that I often pull out Y100 at a time, and feel guilty that the transaction cost could be as mush as 30% of the total.
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Old Jul 19, 14, 10:10 am
  #788  
 
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While things may have changed that I don't know about, it is my understanding or at least it was my understanding that cirrus and plus regulations regarding shared teller network withdrawals prohibit a bank from charging a fee on withdrawals made using an ATM/debit card from outside the country where the machine is maintained. Hence, British banks who clear transactions through these networks cannot add fees to American debit cards and vice versa i.e. American banks cannot add fees to withdrawals made with UK cards. Nothing prohibits a bank from placing a fee on withdrawals using its card in any machine anywhere.

Now I used to say that and Canadians, for example, would jump in and tell me I was wrong and that often they made withdrawals say in the USA were nailed for these asinine fees. Or if you don't go to a bank say in the UK but a private machine you get nailed for the fee. I don't understand how that works. I think machines can use other debit networks (say like NYCE or Pulse in the USA) for Canadian withdrawals which do not have this consumer protection.

The Schwab card, the USAA card, the Fidelity card (debit cards I mean) all have policies of reimbursing some of these fees if not all. There might be a one billing cycle restriction on the total amount on each of them; check with the individual institution.

Also, there is nothing that keeps you from using a different debit card from one of these banks even without changing your main banks. Philosophically, I wouldn't use my main account for cash withdrawals even if I spend cash which I almost never do but with the amount of fraud around, I wouldn't want the inconvenience of having my main account hacked and having to change say my direct deposit set ups. I maintain a Schwab account with $1.01 in it (they don't require a minimum balance) and before leavng on a trip, I electronically transfer say $500 to the account and use only that account for cash withdrawals. When I return, I electronically transfer the excess over $1.01 back to my main account. Simple to do and a wise precaution in this day and age of hacking, that's for sure.
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Old Jul 19, 14, 10:37 am
  #789  
 
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Originally Posted by moondog
You can use any ATM in the world, and they will cover the fees. The reason I don't hound them over the 5% of withdrawals that evade their radar is that I often pull out Y100 at a time, and feel guilty that the transaction cost could be as mush as 30% of the total.
Originally Posted by JEFFJAGUAR
The Schwab card, the USAA card, the Fidelity card (debit cards I mean) all have policies of reimbursing some of these fees if not all. There might be a one billing cycle restriction on the total amount on each of them; check with the individual institution.
I will try Schwab as soon as possible. Looks like if you wanna have its checking account, you have to open a investment account at the same time. Although, it looks like the only problem is the wasting of time, since both accounts don't have minimum balance.

Before, I was thinking about getting a Private Client Account with Chase to get their black debit card with no FTF... That comes with a price (deposit) of $250000. Making all that money just stay in an account in return for no FTF is quite a steep cost.

Now Schwab does it without the $250000, nice!
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Old Jul 19, 14, 11:21 am
  #790  
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Originally Posted by zyxlsy
Before, I was thinking about getting a Private Client Account with Chase to get their black debit card with no FTF... That comes with a price (deposit) of $250000. Making all that money just stay in an account in return for no FTF is quite a steep cost.

Now Schwab does it without the $250000, nice!
Fidelity also does full reimbursement of ATM operator fees with the debit card that comes with the Cash Management Account, and there is a 0% exchange fee. The Cash Management Account also doesn't require a minimum balance. I've posted before that the original reason I stumbled upon FlyerTalk was looking for ways to avoid FTF when traveling overseas. I just calculated on a 4-week trip in 2008, and I spent about $24 on 3% exchange fees plus $20 due to four separate $5 international withdrawal fees from my bank at the time. If you take the $44 in fees over $800 equivalent in cash withdrawals, that's a 5.5% effective fee on getting money overseas. You live and learn.

A downside with Chase Private Client is that I think even though non-Chase ATM operator fees are waived that you would still pay a 3% exchange rate on foreign currency withdrawals.
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Old Jul 19, 14, 9:30 pm
  #791  
 
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Originally Posted by Majuki
A downside with Chase Private Client is that I think even though non-Chase ATM operator fees are waived that you would still pay a 3% exchange rate on foreign currency withdrawals.
Actually no. I currently have a Premier Checking with Chase ($15000 combined assets), and I don't pay the $5 for the first 6 out-of-network withdraws (both domestic and international). I only pay the 3%.

The list of benefits of the Private Client black debit card clearly has "no FTF" in it. But having $250000 with Chase still doesn't get you reimbursement to the fees charged by the ATMs...
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Old Jul 19, 14, 10:37 pm
  #792  
 
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Does Norwegian Air charge DCC?

Has anybody purchased from Norwegian Air and looked for DCC? Their website shows you can purchase in NOK or USD or a handful of other currencies. I'm in the US - if I choose anything other than NOK will I hit DCC?

[Feel free to point me elsewhere for this question - I searched this thread for Norwegian, and the Budget European Airlines forum for DCC, and didn't see it answered.]
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Old Jul 19, 14, 10:43 pm
  #793  
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Originally Posted by zyxlsy
Actually no. I currently have a Premier Checking with Chase ($15000 combined assets), and I don't pay the $5 for the first 6 out-of-network withdraws (both domestic and international). I only pay the 3%.

The list of benefits of the Private Client black debit card clearly has "no FTF" in it. But having $250000 with Chase still doesn't get you reimbursement to the fees charged by the ATMs...
I think we both made a mistake here based on the listed benefits:
  • Chase fees charged at a non-Chase ATM
  • Fees charged by the other bank for ATM access are refunded by Chase up to 5 times per statement cycle
  • No Chase exchange rate adjustment fees for debit card usage or ATM withdrawals abroad

ATM operator fees are reimbursed up to five times per month, and there isn't an exchange fee of 3%. CPC is likely not worth it when Schwab and Fidelity provide the same thing with practically no minimum deposit.
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Old Jul 19, 14, 10:51 pm
  #794  
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Originally Posted by newbie_flyer
Has anybody purchased from Norwegian Air and looked for DCC? Their website shows you can purchase in NOK or USD or a handful of other currencies. I'm in the US - if I choose anything other than NOK will I hit DCC?

[Feel free to point me elsewhere for this question - I searched this thread for Norwegian, and the Budget European Airlines forum for DCC, and didn't see it answered.]
This would be the correct thread. Perhaps someone else can chime in with direct experience, but it seems like you might try to be hit with DCC when booking on Norwegian Air Shuttle according to this source. When you go to purchase the ticket you would be able to see the denomination of the transaction. I suspect the native currency would be NOK, and I would decline any attempts to "lock in" or "guarantee" the exchange rate. This is just a marketing scam to force you into accepting DCC.
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Old Jul 19, 14, 11:44 pm
  #795  
 
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DCC with some of these low priced value airlines can be a very tricky business. For example, in March, I was trying to purchase an Easy Jet ticket from Copenhagen to London (Gatwick). The price was quoted in DKK. Out came my trust currency calculaator and I tried it in USD and in GBP (Easy Jet is, of course, based in Great Britain). It turned out in this case the fee in DKK was the cheapest although the spread wasn't really all that much. The two issues with any of these purchases are whether dcc is involved and if you are using a credit card with a ftf just where the transaction is processed. Sometimes the later isn't clear (just ask the number of people in the example I cited above i.e. people who buy tickets from Orbitz denominated in USD on a foreign airline and then get nailed with a ftf). Happens every day of the week and twice on Sunday unfortunately.
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