Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs > Credit Card Programs
Reload this Page >

Which currency to pay with when selecting on CC reader?

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Which currency to pay with when selecting on CC reader?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 29, 2014 | 9:49 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
Which currency to pay with when selecting on CC reader?

Hello All,

I had a question I wanted to ask what FT'ers are doing in terms of paying with a CC internationally.

For example, when I'm in Hong Kong they ask me , "Sir do you want to complete this transaction in USD or HKD". Since I'm using my MileagePlus ClubCard, there isn't a foreign transaction. Should I be selecting USD or HKD to my best benefit?

Maybe it would be better to compare USD to CAD where the dollar conversion is never the same everyday.
TennisNoob is offline  
Old Nov 29, 2014 | 9:54 pm
  #2  
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,854
Which currency to pay with when selecting on CC reader?

Read the thread about DCC (Dynamic Currency Exchange) and you will see that you always should select the local currency....
RTW1 is offline  
Old Nov 29, 2014 | 9:55 pm
  #3  
Original Poster
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
Originally Posted by RTW1
Read the thread about DCC (Dynamic Currency Exchange) and you will see that you always should select the local currency....
deleted previous

Thanks!
TennisNoob is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 2:09 am
  #4  
All eyes on you!
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SMF
Programs: Hilton Diamond-Marriott Platinum-life
Posts: 1,015
Originally Posted by RTW1
Read the thread about DCC (Dynamic Currency Exchange) and you will see that you always should select the local currency....
+1
mike2200 is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 2:20 am
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 72
+1 and usually the local currency is undervalued by CC issuers so sometimes I beat the exchange rate!
thehoodedidiot is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 2:46 am
  #6  
hco
40 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SAS *G
Posts: 473
Which currency to pay with when selecting on CC reader?

Always local currency
hco is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 7:24 pm
  #7  
Original Poster
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
Originally Posted by thehoodedidiot
+1 and usually the local currency is undervalued by CC issuers so sometimes I beat the exchange rate!
Any examples?
TennisNoob is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 7:48 pm
  #8  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
Originally Posted by TennisNoob
Any examples?
I've never heard of it being (meaningfully) undervalued by the networks (issuers don't set rates), but it will be cheaper than any other exchange method, by far.
AllieKat is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 8:50 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 72
Originally Posted by TennisNoob
Any examples?
BOAtravel rewards. I noticed i charged 30,000 won and was only charged 28.07USD. I did the math for the exchange rate that day and came out 8 cents ahead......thats almost .3%!
thehoodedidiot is offline  
Old Nov 30, 2014 | 8:52 pm
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 72
Originally Posted by TennisNoob
Any examples?
due to the high volatility of international currencies, I wouldnt advise playing this. and if you do.....do it for real after your due diligence in the FOREX market....those guys are some of the few real sharks left
thehoodedidiot is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2014 | 3:41 am
  #11  
Used to be 'flymanbeast'
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Delta silver/marriot platinum
Posts: 2,811
Local currency always!
howtofreetravel is offline  
Old Dec 1, 2014 | 8:09 am
  #12  
Original Poster
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
I'm really glad I started this thread. This scam is full of baloney.
TennisNoob is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2015 | 10:34 am
  #13  
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 311
Actually, I found a dramatic difference when the Swiss Franc shot up in value the other day. It didn't last long.
GarlicFlyer is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2015 | 10:55 am
  #14  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,381
At least they're asking you (which I believe they're supposed to do), rather than sneaking it through and trying to claim it's "for your convenience".

Note that most cards with a foreign transaction fee charge it based on where the purchase is made, not the currency, so you'd get hit with it even if the charge was in USD. I pretty much reflexively say "charge it in <local currency> please" as I hand over the card now, though I get strange looks when I say that in the USA by accident :-)
jmastron is offline  
Old Jan 26, 2015 | 8:02 am
  #15  
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
10 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,664
Let's continue the conversation here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...er-thread.html

The wiki in that thread explains the DCC "scam" in great detail.
MDtR-Chicago is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.