DCC: Dynamic Currency Conversion (2017-2025)
Oct 29, 2017 | 11:23 am
#271
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
I was in Prague a few weeks ago, at a small Vietnamese cafe (part of a chain, apparently). I paid with credit card (of course) and was surprised to see DCC was applied - the printed receipt said "I was offered the option to pay in local currency but I chose to pay in US dollars". I certainly did NOT have any opportunity to select either option, they just ran it as DCC without asking. The staff there (just a couple kids) claimed total ignorance, I explained what DCC was, pointed to the receipt which incorrectly stated that I was offered a choice, and told them I didn't appreciate them stealing from me. They professed surprise and claimed the register system was new, I know nothing, the boss isn't around, etc.
This was at a cheap semi-fast food place, our total bill was around 20 Euro (even with the sneaky DCC slipped in) and the DCC gouge was probably less than 2 Euro...so I didn't make a big stink over it, although it did piss me off and I did give them a short lecture. They promised to take it up with the manager the next day. Yeah, sure. I let it go.
This was at a cheap semi-fast food place, our total bill was around 20 Euro (even with the sneaky DCC slipped in) and the DCC gouge was probably less than 2 Euro...so I didn't make a big stink over it, although it did piss me off and I did give them a short lecture. They promised to take it up with the manager the next day. Yeah, sure. I let it go.
Oct 29, 2017 | 12:31 pm
#272
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,981
This was at a cheap semi-fast food place, our total bill was around 20 Euro (even with the sneaky DCC slipped in) and the DCC gouge was probably less than 2 Euro...so I didn't make a big stink over it, although it did piss me off and I did give them a short lecture. They promised to take it up with the manager the next day. Yeah, sure. I let it go.
To view it another way, if the bill came and you had paid cash, would you let it go if the cashier shortchanged you? I view DCC as the same con in card form. Unfortunately, in the Czech Republic merchants would be likely to nab a ton of people given it has a different currency than all of the countries that surround it. FWIW, I didn't see any DCC 4 years ago, but I only had a handful of transactions while I was there.
The best practice is assuming the percysmith torso over counter posture to view them handling the card and be ready to pounce on the DCC prompts.
Oct 30, 2017 | 1:54 am
#274
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 349
I'll try Android pay and see what happens since every terminal seems to have a contactless system. Otherwise Schwab debit card at atm.
Oct 30, 2017 | 3:19 am
#275
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,981
Please report back. It's been reported that contactless isn't a sure prevention of DCC, but you can do some experiments like performing the same transaction at a known DCC place with a mobile payment.
Oct 30, 2017 | 6:13 am
#277
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,815
Nov 1, 2017 | 7:14 am
#278
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 349
Okay, so I've been using Android Pay and it works immediately at the terminals that accept NFC cards (almost all Polish debit/credit cards... USA is behind). Used it at Auchan, a few restaurants and a nice one last night. Never been prompted for the currency.
BoA rates are practically the same as the exchange rate (well, using Google), so essentially there's no fee at all.
BoA rates are practically the same as the exchange rate (well, using Google), so essentially there's no fee at all.
Nov 1, 2017 | 7:18 am
#279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,749
Okay, so I've been using Android Pay and it works immediately at the terminals that accept NFC cards (almost all Polish debit/credit cards... USA is behind). Used it at Auchan, a few restaurants and a nice one last night. Never been prompted for the currency.
BoA rates are practically the same as the exchange rate (well, using Google), so essentially there's no fee at all.
BoA rates are practically the same as the exchange rate (well, using Google), so essentially there's no fee at all.
Funny enough, one of the only places that didn't support contactless actually tried to DCC me (Harrods). I had full control of the terminal, though, so it was easy to decline.
Nov 4, 2017 | 2:23 am
#280
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 349
The only places in Poland where I've been automatically DCC'd is restaraunts/bars. I never protested although I should have and will in the future but hopefully I'll just move to Android Pay - only downside is you need an internet connection so if I don't have wi-fi I'm SOL.
Every retail store has always asked me to pay in dollars or zloty. And I've never got hit with an extra fees with my Schwab debit and the exchange rates seem pretty damn spot on.
Nov 4, 2017 | 5:43 am
#281
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
The only places in Poland where I've been automatically DCC'd is restaraunts/bars. I never protested although I should have and will in the future but hopefully I'll just move to Android Pay - only downside is you need an internet connection so if I don't have wi-fi I'm SOL.
Every retail store has always asked me to pay in dollars or zloty. And I've never got hit with an extra fees with my Schwab debit and the exchange rates seem pretty damn spot on.
Every retail store has always asked me to pay in dollars or zloty. And I've never got hit with an extra fees with my Schwab debit and the exchange rates seem pretty damn spot on.
Nov 4, 2017 | 7:15 am
#282
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: Many
Posts: 12,723
The only places in Poland where I've been automatically DCC'd is restaraunts/bars. I never protested although I should have and will in the future but hopefully I'll just move to Android Pay - only downside is you need an internet connection so if I don't have wi-fi I'm SOL.
Every retail store has always asked me to pay in dollars or zloty. And I've never got hit with an extra fees with my Schwab debit and the exchange rates seem pretty damn spot on.
Every retail store has always asked me to pay in dollars or zloty. And I've never got hit with an extra fees with my Schwab debit and the exchange rates seem pretty damn spot on.
Nov 4, 2017 | 12:50 pm
#283
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,981
But you've at least been able to opt out every time with that approach, right?
Nov 5, 2017 | 3:31 am
#284
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: Many
Posts: 12,723
Nov 5, 2017 | 12:57 pm
#285
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,369
checking out of the Seoul Four Seasons I was surprised to be asked if I wanted to charge my card in Won or $$$; surprised that is, for a "high end" place to try to pull this stunt.