DCC: Dynamic Currency Conversion (2017-2025)
Jul 6, 2023 | 10:50 pm
#1021
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
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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.)
Jul 7, 2023 | 9:18 am
#1022
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,959
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.
Jul 7, 2023 | 11:18 am
#1023
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SJC/SFO
Posts: 386
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.
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.
Jul 7, 2023 | 2:10 pm
#1024
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,959
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.
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.
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.
Jul 7, 2023 | 2:18 pm
#1025
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
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Jul 7, 2023 | 2:54 pm
#1026
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SJC/SFO
Posts: 386
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.
Last edited by EmailKid; Jul 7, 2023 at 4:11 pm Reason: Back to back posts
Jul 7, 2023 | 3:15 pm
#1027
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
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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
Jul 7, 2023 | 3:43 pm
#1028
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Los Feliz-Los Angeles (BUR/LAX) Arun Baheti
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Jul 7, 2023 | 3:45 pm
#1029
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
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Jul 7, 2023 | 3:48 pm
#1030
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: SJC/SFO
Posts: 386
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.
Jul 8, 2023 | 3:08 pm
#1031
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 111
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).
Jul 12, 2023 | 1:10 am
#1032
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 111
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.
Jul 19, 2023 | 11:15 am
#1033
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 508
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):
Jul 19, 2023 | 9:51 pm
#1034
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Aug 5, 2023 | 10:42 am
#1035
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 508
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.
it is pretty steep as current exchange is about 4.05 to the USD.