Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)
Mar 29, 2018, 2:50 pm
#376
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
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Not "big box" per se but as mentioned before, I think Baskin-Robbins (and maybe Dunkin' Donuts too since they're the same company) does DCC based on the receipts I've seen.
As for restaurants, I doubt they'll ever do DCC thanks to our dislike of pay at the table making performing it per Visa/MC rules impossible (or at least with enough hassle to make it not worthwhile).
As for restaurants, I doubt they'll ever do DCC thanks to our dislike of pay at the table making performing it per Visa/MC rules impossible (or at least with enough hassle to make it not worthwhile).
Mar 29, 2018, 3:13 pm
#377
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
I remember your post on Baskin-Robbins. As for restaurants, who said anything about being compliant? I believe there were posts that Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and a few others did DCC in the past but no longer do. I don't think it would be a problem in the US, however, since the waitstaff would be motivated to correct any billing issues in order to receive a tip. Generally, I would say you're right that restaurants in the US are unlikely to have DCC.
Mar 29, 2018, 3:46 pm
#378
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,068
I imagine it could be like PIN transactions bypassing the tip line. For instance, imagine someone signing in a 10.00 tip thinking it's USD and it turns out to be in MXN ($0.55).
Apr 6, 2018, 4:06 am
#379
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 415
Damn near fell for the DCC trap on Cathay Pacific's website today! Had never noticed it before, but today I spotted a little drop down menu that just asks you to choose your currency, and I almost fell for it.
Fortunately, I was paying by Amex. But the problem is that (like many of us) I jump around from different location-versions of the website looking for the best fare. I couldn't remember if I was on the Canadian site, the Hong Kong site, or some other country site, and it is very easy to fall into that drop-down menu trap.
At least CX do tell you plainly that you're about to get screwed if you choose DCC:
Fortunately, I was paying by Amex. But the problem is that (like many of us) I jump around from different location-versions of the website looking for the best fare. I couldn't remember if I was on the Canadian site, the Hong Kong site, or some other country site, and it is very easy to fall into that drop-down menu trap.
At least CX do tell you plainly that you're about to get screwed if you choose DCC:
As an extra benefit, you can now choose to pay for our travel services in one of the above currencies to ensure certainty of the amount charged to your credit cards (for VISA and MasterCard only.) Currency exchange rate is based on a rate determined by a third-party foreign exchange provider, plus 3%.
Apr 8, 2018, 4:55 am
#381
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
Just returned from a trip to CN, JP and HK. Only saw DCC at hotels, but a stern 'I want to pa in CNY/JPY/HKD please' didn't start the spiel in the first place and the agents made the right selections on the POS. Nearly got hit by DCC at the HK Airport express.
Re big box retailers: in Germany grocery stores don't have DCC, but Galleria Kaufhof, a large department store chain will always offer to DCC you. The EUR option is easy to select though and not hidden.
Re big box retailers: in Germany grocery stores don't have DCC, but Galleria Kaufhof, a large department store chain will always offer to DCC you. The EUR option is easy to select though and not hidden.
Apr 8, 2018, 7:17 am
#382
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Just returned from a trip to CN, JP and HK. Only saw DCC at hotels, but a stern 'I want to pa in CNY/JPY/HKD please' didn't start the spiel in the first place and the agents made the right selections on the POS. Nearly got hit by DCC at the HK Airport express.
Re big box retailers: in Germany grocery stores don't have DCC, but Galleria Kaufhof, a large department store chain will always offer to DCC you. The EUR option is easy to select though and not hidden.
Re big box retailers: in Germany grocery stores don't have DCC, but Galleria Kaufhof, a large department store chain will always offer to DCC you. The EUR option is easy to select though and not hidden.
Apr 8, 2018, 1:24 pm
#383
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,068
I haven't encountered DCC on the Airport Express recently even though I know that it's present through Citibank. When I'm by myself I will use my Octopus card for convenience rather than wait to purchase tickets. When traveling with someone, I'll wait to get the group price on tickets. The last time I purchased tickets at Hong Kong station I proactively requested HKD, but the employee said, "I always choose HKD for the customers. The offered conversion rate is not favorable." This is at least one case of staff opting customers out of DCC in case they are unaware. ^ All other times when buying Airport Express tickets I have had to request HKD and confirm via the final receipt at the staff declined DCC.
Apr 9, 2018, 1:44 am
#384
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,187
I initially had asked for a group ticket for 4 and he misunderstood that I wanted to go to Kowloon not HK. The transaction slip printed out the usual 'X for your currency choice' DCC slip. When I told him I wanted HK and please not to do the currency choice the slip looked completely different.
Apr 11, 2018, 5:02 pm
#385
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 349
I've only used my BOA cards but I've never once got a DCC now that I physically HOLD the terminal at the restaurant so some sleeze waiter cannot just hit "USD" and let that be that.
I'm beginning to think it may not be automatic but that these people hit the button. Warrant further investigation...
I've only used my BOA Plat TR
I'm beginning to think it may not be automatic but that these people hit the button. Warrant further investigation...
I've only used my BOA Plat TR
Apr 11, 2018, 10:47 pm
#386
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: LTN
Programs: Aeroflot Bonus, British Airways Executive Club
Posts: 463
I haven't encountered any single instance of attempted DCC in my travel in multiple country / regions last and this year.
I have travelled to China, Turkey, Finland and Russia and used my cards, and none of them attempted to do DCC on me. Whenever I pay, I just inserted my card and the machine spit out the receipt in local currency immediately.
However, when I was in Istanbul airport, one of the restaurants offered "multiple currencies" (including TRY, USD, EUR and some more) on the checkout, but it was before I insert the card and applicable to cash as well, so it was not DCC but instead the merchant offering multiple currency payment, so I tell the cashier to use Turkish Lira and inserted my card.
I have travelled to China, Turkey, Finland and Russia and used my cards, and none of them attempted to do DCC on me. Whenever I pay, I just inserted my card and the machine spit out the receipt in local currency immediately.
However, when I was in Istanbul airport, one of the restaurants offered "multiple currencies" (including TRY, USD, EUR and some more) on the checkout, but it was before I insert the card and applicable to cash as well, so it was not DCC but instead the merchant offering multiple currency payment, so I tell the cashier to use Turkish Lira and inserted my card.
Apr 12, 2018, 9:51 am
#387
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,068
However, when I was in Istanbul airport, one of the restaurants offered "multiple currencies" (including TRY, USD, EUR and some more) on the checkout, but it was before I insert the card and applicable to cash as well, so it was not DCC but instead the merchant offering multiple currency payment, so I tell the cashier to use Turkish Lira and inserted my card.
Apr 12, 2018, 12:31 pm
#388
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,147
Apr 16, 2018, 10:29 am
#390
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NYC
Posts: 557
I was, for the first time, offered DCC in Japan -- several times during my last trip. However, a quote slip was always presented and the choice was entered on the terminal before the transaction concluded and the copy I signed showed the JPY price. There was also one instance where the quote slip was printed and the cashier chose JPY without even showing me the quote slip.