paperwastage

either way.. is there an arbitrage opportunity here?

Probably not?
(theory)MC transactions uses the actual transaction date, and fxrate on transaction date is 'live'.
(theory)Visa transactions uses posting date(+1-3 days) and fxrate on posting date is based on 'live' data from 1-3 days ago

then the two would be using the same/similar rates (with minor differences)?

(do remember that your (live) fx rate from chase visa card might not be exactly the same as the visa rate)

honu

So MC better than Visa overall, which was my experience as well (Visa Ink vs Barclays AAdvantage MC). But what about Amex? The Platinum version and Gold Premier Rewards, which as of June 1st has no forex fee? How do they compare with MC and Visa? So far I have one transaction to compare with Visa: on the same day (June 1st), the same item purchased twice, cost $3.78 on the Platinum Amex and $3.79 on a Marriott Visa. I realize it's a small amount (the original cost was in CAD), but it would be nice to have more points of comparison.

paperwastage

I don't think amex has a website publishing the exchange rate used in credit card transactions

if anyone finds one, let me know, and I can update the script

mia

There is one embedded in the International Dollar/Euro Cards website. I don't think you can get at it without an account, but I could lookup some historical rates if helpful.

https://global.americanexpress.com/m...pe=&Face=en_EU

wco81

Made a 10€ charge on Sapphire Preferred and got a notification on Chase iOS app of a $11.39 charge.

Checked x-rates.com right away and the rate was $1.126.

So Chase or Visa is sticking in about 1%.

Wonder if I use chase Freedom whether they will impose 3% or 4%.

wco81

Have made about 6 charges in 3 days, ranging from train ticket kiosks to supermarkets. Most in Brugge but one at BRU.

The 3 cards I've used are suppose to be zero FTF: BofA Cash Rewards Visa ( grandfathered from Schwab visa), Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa and First Tech World Choice Master Card.

The rate I'm being charged is consistently 3-3.5 cents over the rate that Google returns when you search 'euro to dollar'.

For instance, i was charged $1.17-1.175 on 8/25 and 8/26 when the official rate was around $1.14 on those dates.

Just now, I was charged over 1.15 when Google is showing $1.12. The XE app for my iPhone is showing $1.1247.

I'm used to maybe a cent more when making charges in Europe. This is my first visit to Belgium so maybe the cc network here is imposing something?

One POS offered me DCC but I chose the Euros amount, not the USD amount.

mia

I suggest you review this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...nge-rates.html

Part of the problem is figuring out the date on which the exchange rate is set. It is generally not the date on which you made the purchase.

wco81

With the Chase and BofA Visa cards, the posting of the transaction was instant. I'm getting an alert on my iPhone right away.

Now maybe the merchant is using the exchange rate from a day or two ago but I'm seeing that the Euro peaked at around $1.16 around 8/23 yet I'm being charged over 1.17 on 8/25 and 8/26?

And over 1.15 this evening, around 19:00 CET.

reclusive46

What your talking about is the authorisation. It wouldn't post (Settle) instantly as it will take a day or two for the retailer to batch out the transaction. The exchange rate will be on the batched out date.

MarkMColo

The merchant wouldn't have anything to do with the exchange rate, unless you are falling victim to the DCC scam.

wco81

Hmm maybe the amount will change between when the transactions are pending vs. when they're on my statement permanently.

But I certainly don't recall such a large delta, though maybe the FX has been more volatile this week than usual.

redsox9547

http://usa.visa.com/personal/card-be...calculator.jsp

Put in your info. Things to know: If you charge on a Saturday, most likely you will get the rate you see on that day. Visa rates are the same Sat - Mon.

paperwastage

Date, Visa ->, Visa <-, Mastercard ->, Mastercard <-
20150817,1.118988,0.893664632686,1.11240025941,0.8 98957
20150818,1.112589,0.898804500134,1.10930048621,0.9 01469
20150819,1.109489,0.901315830982,1.10480024659,0.9 05141
20150820,1.113689,0.897916743364,1.11640036797,0.8 95736
20150821,1.124688,0.889135475794,1.13055029536,0.8 84525
20150822,1.139286,0.877742726585,,
20150823,1.139286,0.877742726585,,
20150824,1.139286,0.877742726585,,
20150825,1.171083,0.853910440165,1.15709938327,0.86423
20150826,1.162484,0.860226893445,1.15180037917,0.8 68206
20150827,1.156184,0.864914235104,1.13389998095,0.8 81912
20150828,1.136486,0.879905251802,,
20150829,1.131087,0.884105289867,,
20150830,1.131087,0.884105289867,,
20150831,1.131087,0.884105289867,,


from the other thread - observations:
(theory)MC transactions uses the actual transaction date, and fxrate on transaction date is 'live'.
(theory)Visa transactions uses posting date(+1-3 days) and fxrate on posting date is based on 'live' data from 1-3 days ago

AggieTraveler

The amount definitely changes for me between when I get the alert/email from Chase at the time of transaction to when it finally settles a day or two later. So don't rely on the amount quoted in the alert. It's usually not a large change, but it does change.

JapanFlyerT

After a lot of overseas spending I wanted to see which card was best, but my Chase Sapphire online account only shows the USD spending, with no rate, meaning I have to dig through receipts. After asking they said the rates are only on the monthly printed statements, which they said they could send me on request. Seems like an intentional hurdle to me.

At the present time, we do not display the foreign
exchange rate from the Chase.com website and this
information can only be found on the monthly statement for
your account. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience
this may cause.