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FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Jan 18, 2014, 10:10 pm by emilio911What 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:
- Insert, swipe, or tap your payment card
- Have the cashier select credit (CR)
- The terminal will display CREDIT ACCOUNT
- If applicable, enter your PIN
- The terminal will display PROCESSING \ PLEASE WAIT
- The terminal will display EXCH <exchange rate> \ <currency> <amount> \ ACCEPT RATE? \ ENTER=YES CLR=NO
- 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.)
- 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:
What's the corporate equivalent of being removed from the gene pool? I've probably spent more time fighting this great vampire squid wrapped around the face of the travelling community. Even more than BoC probably.
The slip pics was sent from an experienced hongkongcard.comer, with the following explanation:
"When I was given the merchant sales slip to tick which currency I prefer, and before the customer slip is printed, the machine awaits the cashier to press enter or clear, wiht no explanation.
I was thinking -
1) enter means accept dcc and clear means decline dcc
2) enter means print and clear means no need to print
When cashier press enter the customer slip is immediately printed without dialing"
I advised based on my Maldives experience with this same giant squid I believe (2) was the case.
Whilst it has not pursued a total relapse of its 2011 state, this is still very non-helpful to travellers and clearly non-compliant:
1. the quote slip is gone;
2. no indication of what choice is being asked for; and
3. the default choice is to DCC.
Quote:
It's great that you had such a good experience. I've never been to Ireland, so I can't speak for DCC there. I think many of us have just being overly sensitive to the subject where there have been cashiers who have actively deceived us or gone against our wishes and selected the card's native currency rather than local currency. In some parts of the world, the terminals are locked down or provide no option; DCC is forced. Other places you'll get employees who you suspect know what they're doing, but then they attempted to feign ignorance or say the USD/xxx amount is only for your information.Originally Posted by Dadaluma83
Just got back from my 4 day stay in London and Dublin earlier this week and the DCC horror was much less than I thought it would be.
Fortunately in the UK or Ireland there's not a language barrier, and it's great that you were presented a choice each and every time. (I assume this was unprompted, or were you asking to charge euros every time at the places with DCC?) That's all we're really asking for. I think my fear about Ireland was I had read reports that Burger King forced DCC without a way to disable it, so I assumed that the payment terminals at other establishments might be configured the same way.
I think DCC for whatever reason is far less of a problem in the UK. The only place where I've been hit with it has been at a Marriott hotel (before I knew what DCC was). Harrods also has it, but it's easily avoidable as long as you tell the cashier to charge pound sterling upfront.
I guess I have nothing to fear when I make it to Ireland, and above all else I am truly grateful that there is no DCC at Nando's. There wasn't DCC at Nando's in the UK either (November 2011) nor in Australia (June 2014).
Congratulations on a DCC-free trip. ^
The only time I actually mentioned to the cashier to charge me in Euros before handing over the card was at supermacs when getting lunch and I got a confused look from the cashier. Every other time I never said anything and just handed the card over or inserted it myself if the terminal was in front of me. Most of the time I was given a recept with the charge in Euros or pounds right there, the few times I mentioned above where DCC was an option the cashier asked me to press yes for dollars or no for euros on the keypad. Never tried to make the decision for me or sway me towards DCC and let me make my own choice with no fuss.
I am assuming they get plenty of tourists who naturally select their native currency without knowing any better anyway so they can still make their money on the scam but thankfully didn't try to steer me towards DCC.
I am assuming they get plenty of tourists who naturally select their native currency without knowing any better anyway so they can still make their money on the scam but thankfully didn't try to steer me towards DCC.
Quote:
"When I was given the merchant sales slip to tick which currency I prefer, and before the customer slip is printed, the machine awaits the cashier to press enter or clear, wiht no explanation.
I was thinking -
1) enter means accept dcc and clear means decline dcc
2) enter means print and clear means no need to print
When cashier press enter the customer slip is immediately printed without dialing"
I advised based on my Maldives experience with this same giant squid I believe (2) was the case.
Whilst it has not pursued a total relapse of its 2011 state, this is still very non-helpful to travellers and clearly non-compliant:
1. the quote slip is gone;
2. no indication of what choice is being asked for; and
3. the default choice is to DCC.
In my recent experience, I've found three common variations of Global Payments terminals when it comes to DCC. I searched and found my post about it while observing the receptionist at the Sheraton in Taipei. The main rule to remember with DCC is that there are no rules. Originally Posted by percysmith
The slip pics was sent from an experienced hongkongcard.comer, with the following explanation:"When I was given the merchant sales slip to tick which currency I prefer, and before the customer slip is printed, the machine awaits the cashier to press enter or clear, wiht no explanation.
I was thinking -
1) enter means accept dcc and clear means decline dcc
2) enter means print and clear means no need to print
When cashier press enter the customer slip is immediately printed without dialing"
I advised based on my Maldives experience with this same giant squid I believe (2) was the case.
Whilst it has not pursued a total relapse of its 2011 state, this is still very non-helpful to travellers and clearly non-compliant:
1. the quote slip is gone;
2. no indication of what choice is being asked for; and
3. the default choice is to DCC.
The variations I've seen with Global Payments in Taiwan have been:A. Quote Slip:
1) The terminal will print the quote slip, but it's been my experience that most cashiers don't even give this to you when you proactively ask for 台幣/NTD.
2) You'll get a receipt to sign that will have the DCC verbiage but be denominated in NTD. Be sure the Type says SALE OPT_O before you sign. DCC has been disabled as long as you see OPT_O.
3) The cashier gives you the "No Signature Required" slip with the DCC verbiage but NTD clearly indicated. An example of such a receipt is here.
B. Integrated Quote/Signature Slip:
1) The terminal will print the signature slip with the check boxes. You tick the box, sign, and return to the cashier. The Type will say SALE
2) The cashier gives you the "No Signature Required" slip but the Type will say SALE OPT_O
C. DCC Preempted:
1) The cashier works magic to disable DCC beforehand
2) You get a signature slip without DCC verbiage denominated in NTD only. The type is SALE
3) You get the "No Signature Required" slip that also says type sale. Here is an example from Chung Yo Department Store. Note that the receipt on the left is the quote style, but the one the right was the preempted style. I doubt they have more than one type of POS terminal in the department store, so I assume this is all cashier controlled.
D. DCC Disabled Retroactively (only seen one time at Chung Yo in Taichung):
1) The cashier goes through the process of A or B but doesn't opt out of DCC
2) You get a "No Signature Required" slip in the card's currency with Type SALE.
3) You get a signature slip in NTD with SALE OPT_O.
4) You get a final "No Signature Required" slip in NTD with Type SALE OPT_O.
This scenario is documented here. When I saw the USD box ticked, I started fuming. It's hard to give an explanation for what happened here because throughout many purchases over the last four years I've only seen this scenario one time. A possible explanation is that the cashier screwed up.
The bottom line is that you either want a receipt with the Type SALE and no DCC verbiage and denominated in NTD or a receipt with the Type SALE OPT_O with the DCC verbiage and denominated in NTD.
We can't quite do a matched comparison because this forum member used a MasterCard, so I don't know if the DCC verbiage changes depending on card type. I was wondering if there is also a threshold below which the cardholder verification isn't strictly required? In these cases DCC might be automatic.
I'm suspecting that in this case perhaps the cashier made a mistake? In Taiwan they all seem to be very familiar with disabling DCC, so I'm not saying the sky is falling quite yet. Even if it were, I don't have any trips scheduled back there soon, so I couldn't check firsthand. I also would be unlikely to repeat the situation because I usually don't charge anything less than 300 NTD. Most of my small purchases are cash or EasyCard.
Quote:
Yeah, many people fall for the trap. It's a natural tendency to go with what you're familiar with, so if you're staring at the option of $7.83 for a burger and fries you're likely to accept thinking that it's a reasonable price. I suspect that 90% of people who are faced with DCC accept it without even realizing what it was or that they just got surcharged.Originally Posted by Dadaluma83
I am assuming they get plenty of tourists who naturally select their native currency without knowing any better anyway so they can still make their money on the scam but thankfully didn't try to steer me towards DCC.
I realize this is VISA/MC, but I think I'm having a similar issue with Discover.
Yesterday I succeeded in using my Discover It card in Japan at UNIQLO by telling the cashier it was a JCB. And currently I wish I hadn't succeeded. The charge is pending on my Discover account with merchant name "JCB MERCHANT" in a USD value which when converted from my JPY receipt means the exchange rate used at transaction time is 1 USD = 106.97 JPY. The actual exchange rate for yesterday is 1 USD = ~118 JPY.
I'll report back when the charge posts, but so far I wish I had used my VISA or MC because none of the merchants I've used those at have applied DCC.
update: the transaction posted with an exchange rate of ~118.30. Looks like I'll keep using Discover in Japan then!
Yesterday I succeeded in using my Discover It card in Japan at UNIQLO by telling the cashier it was a JCB. And currently I wish I hadn't succeeded. The charge is pending on my Discover account with merchant name "JCB MERCHANT" in a USD value which when converted from my JPY receipt means the exchange rate used at transaction time is 1 USD = 106.97 JPY. The actual exchange rate for yesterday is 1 USD = ~118 JPY.
I'll report back when the charge posts, but so far I wish I had used my VISA or MC because none of the merchants I've used those at have applied DCC.
update: the transaction posted with an exchange rate of ~118.30. Looks like I'll keep using Discover in Japan then!
JCB uses their own exchange rate, see e.g. http://www.jcb.jp/rate/usd11172014.html
(Change the date in the URL to the transaction date.)
You can see that as of 11-17 ('recently') they were using $1 = 116 JPY (the 'mid' rate). Discover shouldn't manipulate that rate any further, so you may need to contact their CS for details. The Discover network doesn't support DCC, and if you're being charged in JPY at all, DCC/currency conversion wasn't done.
(Change the date in the URL to the transaction date.)
You can see that as of 11-17 ('recently') they were using $1 = 116 JPY (the 'mid' rate). Discover shouldn't manipulate that rate any further, so you may need to contact their CS for details. The Discover network doesn't support DCC, and if you're being charged in JPY at all, DCC/currency conversion wasn't done.
So JCB controls the exchange rate in this case, not Discover? Is it the same case for UnionPay in China? We've had discussions on here before that Discover and AmEx typically have poorer exchange rates for non-pegged currencies, but I wouldn't expect it to be 11% higher. 
It's not an issue of DCC, but if that's the exchange rate it's 3x what you'd typically see for a DCC markup. With exchange rates this bad I too would rather take the DCC hit. (...even though I've never seen DCC in Japan.)
It's not an issue of DCC, but if that's the exchange rate it's 3x what you'd typically see for a DCC markup. With exchange rates this bad I too would rather take the DCC hit. (...even though I've never seen DCC in Japan.)
Quote:
Please report back, but is it also possible to show the UNIQLO receipt? I'm curious to see the posted transaction amount.Originally Posted by photaco
Yesterday I succeeded in using my Discover It card in Japan at UNIQLO by telling the cashier it was a JCB. And currently I wish I hadn't succeeded.
All my knowledge about UnionPay is about RMB UnionPay cards.
The RMB UnionPay system is something like a closed system that everything charged is converted to RMB using UnionPay's own rate. It doesn't charge extra fees, but the rate includes the pay for the work (artificial but somewhat competitive rate).
I understand UnionPay is invading the rest of the world (like every other Chinese forces), but I don't have any idea how it's gonna build a multi-currency based system out of the current mostly RMB based system.
The RMB UnionPay system is something like a closed system that everything charged is converted to RMB using UnionPay's own rate. It doesn't charge extra fees, but the rate includes the pay for the work (artificial but somewhat competitive rate).
I understand UnionPay is invading the rest of the world (like every other Chinese forces), but I don't have any idea how it's gonna build a multi-currency based system out of the current mostly RMB based system.
Quote:
As far as I can tell, there's nothing interesting about the receipt.Originally Posted by Majuki
Please report back, but is it also possible to show the UNIQLO receipt? I'm curious to see the posted transaction amount.
Discover (as JCB) vs Visa vs MasterCard:
Quote:
I was thinking -
1) enter means accept dcc and clear means decline dcc
2) enter means print and clear means no need to print
When cashier press enter the customer slip is immediately printed without dialing"
I advised based on my Maldives experience with this same giant squid I believe (2) was the case.
Whilst it has not pursued a total relapse of its 2011 state
We were wrong. Clear simply voids the transaction. The experienced hongkongcard.comer tried pressing clear during the pause in another purchase and the screen shows the transaction is voided at that point (no slip is printed). Originally Posted by percysmith
[IMG]"When I was given the merchant sales slip to tick which currency I prefer, and before the customer slip is printed, the machine awaits the cashier to press enter or clear, wiht no explanation.I was thinking -
1) enter means accept dcc and clear means decline dcc
2) enter means print and clear means no need to print
When cashier press enter the customer slip is immediately printed without dialing"
I advised based on my Maldives experience with this same giant squid I believe (2) was the case.
Whilst it has not pursued a total relapse of its 2011 state
The manager aped the cashier for letting the hongkongcard.comer void a transaction and in order to avoid further trouble for the cashier the hongkongcard.comer paid cash to settle his bill. There appears to be no way to avoid DCC on Global Payment Taiwan terminals now.
Quote:
The manager aped the cashier for letting the hongkongcard.comer void a transaction and in order to avoid further trouble for the cashier the hongkongcard.comer paid cash to settle his bill. There appears to be no way to avoid DCC on Global Payment Taiwan terminals now.
Was this still at Space Inn, or did the person try this at multiple locations with Global Payments terminals? While I can appreciate the environment might change quickly, it's difficult to think Global Payments completely screwed up all terminals in Taiwan in the last six weeks. I further contend that this might be another implementation of DCC on a Global Payments terminal.Originally Posted by percysmith
We were wrong. Clear simply voids the transaction. The experienced hongkongcard.comer tried pressing clear during the pause in another purchase and the screen shows the transaction is voided at that point (no slip is printed). The manager aped the cashier for letting the hongkongcard.comer void a transaction and in order to avoid further trouble for the cashier the hongkongcard.comer paid cash to settle his bill. There appears to be no way to avoid DCC on Global Payment Taiwan terminals now.
As I said, I won't be able to check this for awhile, but I'll be able to report back during our next trip. I imagine the manager was going ape more over the 60 NTD purchase via a credit card than anything, and I'm surprised they allowed it. Most places I know in Taiwan would balk as such a small card purchase.
Quote:
As I said, I won't be able to check this for awhile, but I'll be able to report back during our next trip. I imagine the manager was going ape more over the 60 NTD purchase via a credit card than anything, and I'm surprised they allowed it. Most places I know in Taiwan would balk as such a small card purchase.
No matter we buy a pair of slippers at TWD60, or a bottled coca cola at TWD15, they take cards. They do not care about the amount as they are just the frontline staff members.Originally Posted by Majuki
Was this still at Space Inn, or did the person try this at multiple locations with Global Payments terminals? While I can appreciate the environment might change quickly, it's difficult to think Global Payments completely screwed up all terminals in Taiwan in the last six weeks. I further contend that this might be another implementation of DCC on a Global Payments terminal.As I said, I won't be able to check this for awhile, but I'll be able to report back during our next trip. I imagine the manager was going ape more over the 60 NTD purchase via a credit card than anything, and I'm surprised they allowed it. Most places I know in Taiwan would balk as such a small card purchase.
I did tried on both their terminals from Verifone acquired by Global Payments Taiwan at Space Inn and resulted the same.
I did some online research and in some Verizone manuals, the enter after the merchant slip is printed means ' Signature Verified' and the Clear or Cancel mean ' Signature not verified and transaction unsuccessful'. As when I pressed clear the transaction was voided, I see no way to opt-out from being DCC-ed.
I am earning 1 Asia Mile per HKD1.67 equivalent in TWD.
I am losing the extra points and being offered a .... rate if being DCC-ed.
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I did tried on both their terminals from Verifone acquired by Global Payments Taiwan at Space Inn and resulted the same.
I did some online research and in some Verizone manuals, the enter after the merchant slip is printed means ' Signature Verified' and the Clear or Cancel mean ' Signature not verified and transaction unsuccessful'. As when I pressed clear the transaction was voided, I see no way to opt-out from being DCC-ed.
I am earning 1 Asia Mile per HKD1.67 equivalent in TWD.
I am losing the extra points and being offered a .... rate if being DCC-ed.
Thanks for the update. I use an EasyCard for small purchases, so I never investigated using a credit card for small purchases. Is there an option on the terminal before the signature slip has been printed? Did you see this behavior on any other Global Payments terminals in Taiwan?Originally Posted by HcarsonK
No matter we buy a pair of slippers at TWD60, or a bottled coca cola at TWD15, they take cards. They do not care about the amount as they are just the frontline staff members.I did tried on both their terminals from Verifone acquired by Global Payments Taiwan at Space Inn and resulted the same.
I did some online research and in some Verizone manuals, the enter after the merchant slip is printed means ' Signature Verified' and the Clear or Cancel mean ' Signature not verified and transaction unsuccessful'. As when I pressed clear the transaction was voided, I see no way to opt-out from being DCC-ed.
I am earning 1 Asia Mile per HKD1.67 equivalent in TWD.
I am losing the extra points and being offered a .... rate if being DCC-ed.
I understand the frustration because percysmith has explained bonus rewards for foreign spend only happen if the transaction is not HKD. It is different for US cardholders, but we still have to deal with the DCC fee.
I'm wondering if the transaction completed without cardholder verification. The signature slip is obviously non-compliant considering it already says "I have chosen not to use..." before you even selected anything. It's disgusting.
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(Change the date in the URL to the transaction date.)
You can see that as of 11-17 ('recently') they were using $1 = 116 JPY (the 'mid' rate). Discover shouldn't manipulate that rate any further, so you may need to contact their CS for details. The Discover network doesn't support DCC, and if you're being charged in JPY at all, DCC/currency conversion wasn't done.
Working out a similar problem here http://www.hongkongcard.com/forum/fo...p?id=12138&p=5 #42Originally Posted by NYCFlyer10001
JCB uses their own exchange rate, see e.g. http://www.jcb.jp/rate/usd11172014.html(Change the date in the URL to the transaction date.)
You can see that as of 11-17 ('recently') they were using $1 = 116 JPY (the 'mid' rate). Discover shouldn't manipulate that rate any further, so you may need to contact their CS for details. The Discover network doesn't support DCC, and if you're being charged in JPY at all, DCC/currency conversion wasn't done.
I don't think using the mid rate is right. As a USD cardholder in Japan you should be using the buy rate (118.18 http://www.jcb.jp/rate/usd11212014.html)
That still doesn't justify the rate...tho are they keeping 10.48% as a reserve against exchange rate fluctuation between transaction and posting?
Please let us know posting rate.
Also, is there any foreign transaction or conversion fee on your card (none right?)?