I can't believe for this specific terminal with CSP, but I've had a chipped Marriott card for almost two years (and chipped CSP since earlier this year), and I've seen attempted (or forced) DCC with EMV transactions on both in Taiwan, Germany, and Australia. It's hard to say what's causing the terminal to reject DCC, but take it as a gift for now until they "fix" the terminal.

That's exactly what I am doing now.

I've tried two 交行 terminals in Beijing which have DCCed me before with magnetic cards, and both terminals gave me RMB slips (one terminal for almost ten times to prove that this is not random).

So, my information is location-specific and acquirer-specific.

I just sent Percy Smith a photo of my DCC slip that I received this evening in 蛇口. It's nothing special. but the 3.6% surcharge is loud and clear.

Which bank does the terminal belong to? What is the situation? Was it forced?

Just got back from a trip to Japan, never encountered DCC and used a combination of VISA/MC/AMEX at restaurants, stores, coffee shops, and hotels.

That's why I love Japan~

But I do think if you explore more at Duty-Free shops, you'll encounter DCC in some forms.

But overall I think Japan is very similar to Korea that everyday places don't offer such DCC thing.

Here it is - acquirer ABC Shenzhen.

Amount not yet posted.

http://www.hongkongcard.com/webedito...4457_46402.jpg

At least this one says it's gonna charge you. Did a calculation, it is around 3.6%, probably a little higher.

Just came back from Seoul. If DCC around the world is as clean as that in Seoul, we don't have the need to have this discussion about avoiding DCC at all...

http://bbs.51credit.com/forum.php?mo...ad&tid=1750187
(linked from http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=11430&p=4)

In it the (PRC) poster described six situations encountered in HK/overseas with his/her PRC Visa card:

1. No DCC in jurisdiction - the poster cited Taiwan. I think the poster is incorrect because I've certainly been offered DCC in Taiwan - a better example is probably Indonesia (where DCC does not exist by central bank regulation).

2. DCC in jurisdiction but merchant does not offer DCC.

3. DCC in jurisdiction and merchant has DCC but cashier has declined DCC on your verbal request.

4. DCC in jurisdiction, merchant has DCC and passes you an offer slip. Poster advises to scribble "TOTAL [HKD]XXX" to make the your intentions very clear.

5. DCC in jurisdiction, merchant has DCC, selects DCC and passes you a DCCed slip for signature. Poster postulates an offer slip may have been printed but not given to you (personally in my experiences going the other way I don't think an offer slip is mandatory). Merchant does the usual thing (a. claims the slip is charged in [HKD], b. claims the terminal can only charge in card currency).

6. Refunds of non-DCCed slips have been DCCed.



(5) and (6) are very weird.

(5) - A poster in the hongkongcard.com thread postulated for carbon slip, the offer slip is the slip you sign on and second slip is subsequently thrown away by merchant, thus allowing merchants to DCC and not tell the cardholder it has done so.

I replied it doesn't matter for HK-issued cards because if you ticked the local currency, signed on it and retained the carbon copy, your intentions are conclusively demonstrated. Whether a second slip is printed or not is irrelevant (BoC and ABC Guangdong certainly don't print second carbon slips). Yes you have to chargeback, but you'll have to chargeback no matter whether one or two slips are printed.

(6) is hard to imagine. I certainly had the case where I've been DCCed but was unable to void it (Harrods and Gallaries Lafayette - refund in EURs only). Going the other way is very difficult to imagine.

There is definitely DCC at every corner in Taiwan, but merchants are good about giving you the quote slip and selecting the proper choice. I always get the slip to make sure that the final signature slip is DCC free. The only case of "forced" DCC is the authorization hold at the Taoyuan Novotel. However, I think my best practice there next time will be to use my AmEx for the hold and another card when checking out. ^

Just a thought but, since so far we're getting many reports of "forced" DCC occurring in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, what's the prospect of using Discover Cards (have no annual fee, has no FTFs or have a DCC policy like VISA or MC) and using it through the Union Pay network?

The caveat of course is that Discover doesn't issue EMV cards yet which is becoming a must for international travel, but they will eventually do so soon.

Isn't that giving in? :D It's like saying since we're getting so many reports of merchants refusing PIN-based transactions that we should all sign up for UNFCU credit cards.

A number of people have used Discover cards successfully with the Union Pay reciprocity agreement, but it's not an option for everyone. It's also not a preferred card in terms of the rewards program. But Discover and American Express are both great options when available to get around forced DCC when they're an option.

My thoughts exactly. The common hongkie refrain to DCC problems with hkd visa/mastercards in china is:

"Use Unionpay la"

To me there is an unbearable Quisling element about it. But then again I have an even more potent avoidance method - forced abstinence (my missus refuses to visit Mainland China short of our once/year hotpot/SPG Gold extension Mattress Run)

I have to disagree. In my view, earning better rewards at a particular establishment shouldn't be a more important factor in using a card than being DCCed.

i.e.

Card A (VISA or MC): gives you 3% in rewards at a certain restaurant in China, but likely to be auto-DCCed

Card B (Discover through Union Pay): gives you only 1% in rewards at that same restaurant but won't be subject to DCC

My view is similar to my stance with EMV: the 3% restaurant reward isn't worth the hassle arguing with a cashier, who may or may not have the authority to do it or something the terminal is auto-set to, who may or may not understand the same language as I do, with lots of irritated people behind me, so I'll just whip out a Discover Card if there's an Union Pay sign at that establishment.

More market share goes to Discover, less market share to VISA and MC. The more American visitors to China start doing this, the more VISA and MC will realize their DCC idea is hurting their business in China and it's market is being usurped away to the Discover-Union Pay-JCB alliance. Change comes through competition, I say.

My other half is from Taiwan, so she has little desire to visit the Mainland either. To date, we still haven't visited, so I haven't had the displeasure of experiencing forced DCC. We'll be back in Macau and Hong Kong in October, so I can test out a few problem spots if you'd like with my USD denominated card.