I recently got a letter from BoA basically stating that my FTF-charging card will now only charge FTF if the charge isn't in USD. Unfortunately I don't think this changes the general advice to avoid DCC, though, since the extra markup is generally still more than the FTF. (Not to mention that I have no-FTF cards anyway.)

This is still a good change. It's likely irrelevant for the types of cards we would be using these days, but I remember getting hit with FTFs on USD denominated purchases back when my travel cards had a FTF. One notable example was BA's website. Even though you'd purchase tickets from their US website denominated in USD (no DCC), you'd still see a FTF on the transaction since the payment processor was based in the UK.

I've also heard a few informal data points where people have inadvertently had a USD transaction overseas using a card with a FTF not been charged the FTF. Note that these weren't DCC transactions but rather places that used the USD, such as some Caribbean islands.

We rented a car from Avis in Scotland. The final bill came to 307 GBP, which according to the Visa currency conversion calculator for the day of the transaction should amount to $390.7. I was charged $412. The charge went on my Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has no foreign transaction fees. Even with the potential for DCC, I don't see how 307 GBP could amount to 412 USD. I disputed the overcharge with Chase and they are crediting me for the difference.

I guess I will have to wait for the monthly statement to see what currency conversion rate they used and if this is a case of DCC shenanigans. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to see the foreign transaction rate on the Chase web site.

Avis is a well known merchant with DCC. Do you have an electronic receipt from Avis that shows any indication of DCC?

You're right that there is no way to tell if you've been hit with DCC using a Chase card - at least that I'm aware of - until the statement prints. The statement will show a currency conversion if one occurred (using Visa). If you got hit with DCC, there will just be the single line item with the USD amount.

Absolutely, and for the OP if you have an Avis preferred profile there is a setting in there that defaults to DCC, you can deactivate it, but the local franchisees don’t always respect the opt out choice.

Interesting, I went through my Avis online account with a fine toothed comb and can't find such a setting. Where should I look?

Yes, I have the electronic receipt, which just shows the line items and total in GBP. It does say "Billing will be in the currency agreed at pickup", but I was never asked if I want to be billed in USD or GBP.

I'll keep an eye out once my statement is issued at the end of the month.

If you login, go to card details, then view account, then update billing details, uncheck “ For international rentals, I want to be billed in the currency local to my card holder address”

Wow, how did I ever miss that, thanks, just made this change!

It's easy to do, and it's an intentional design similar to how PayPal transactions opt you in to DCC that you must decline (but can easily overlook).

Thanks for this, unfortunately I already had this unchecked, which I guess means I'm opted out of DCC and Avis overcharged me for some unrelated reason.

Been in Italy for a week, the only place I saw DCC so far was at the car rental counter (Centauro). DCC was presented as a choice of two currencies, neither pre-selected. Euro was the first choice, USD was the second option. Both prices were clearly marked (€118, $137).

Another place I saw DCC was at the UniCredit ATM machine (finally ran out of the Euros we brought with us). Same thing — two large buttons, one for "Proceed with conversion", another for "Proceed with no conversion". I don't recall if the rate was listed, but the € and $ amounts were listed clearly and the $$ seemed a little high. On top of that the ATM imposed a pretty hefty €5 fee, which I hope Schwab will pay back like they have in the past.

Continuing my travels in Poland, I have to say DCC is really prevalt here, but easy to opt out of. One of the most popular convenience stores here, Żabka, displays something like this on the terminal when I tap my card (or tap on Google Pay even):


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...4a8b8cbcc8.jpg

I'm ok with this implementation. From reports in years past, Poland seemed to be more problematic with forced DCC with no way to opt out.

Well, started using my Polish debit card here in the states and on third transaction, I got my first DCC; Walgreens. I used it on a contactless Google pay transaction but it still got caught. No markup information but there is exchange information, which tells you the markup if you know the actual rate ;) it is pretty steep as current exchange is about 4.05 to the USD.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...83cbc5e448.jpg