DCC: Dynamic Currency Conversion (2017-2025)
#1351
Original Poster




Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,981
A fellow FlyerTalk member is visiting the Cayman Islands. For the first time on this trip, he was able to charge in KYD on a US card, not have the merchant convert 0.80 KYD = 1 USD (as opposed to the official exchange rate of 1 KYD = 1.20 USD). The catch is that this only works with Amex. A Visa or Mastercard will still go through a USD terminal. According to a small merchant there, Amex sent some people to the Cayman Islands a few months ago to meet with local businesses to try to to encourage increased acceptance of Amex.
#1352




Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Los Feliz-Los Angeles (BUR/LAX) Arun Baheti
Programs: UA MM/Gold; HH something depending; Marriott Gold; other opportunistic statuses
Posts: 1,945
Just back from Japan. Was pleasantly surprised by ability to use cards and tap almost everywhere and no DCC In a couple of museums and a hotel I was offered the option of USD vs JPY even after tapping, but it was clear and I was able to select JPY without issue on the screen. I don't think I was shown the exchange rate, just the USD vs JPY amounts and had to select 1 or 2 to pick. Would showing the conversion rate be required? Maybe I was moving too fast.
ATM at post office did not even offer or attempt DCC. For larger amounts in a couple of restaurants and a hotel I was asked to insert and sign, but otherwise simple tap did the job with Visa or AmEx. I did notice that the machines where I was offered DCC looked exactly like the machines where I wasn't. (Big, black, sorry didn't get a pic.)
ATM at post office did not even offer or attempt DCC. For larger amounts in a couple of restaurants and a hotel I was asked to insert and sign, but otherwise simple tap did the job with Visa or AmEx. I did notice that the machines where I was offered DCC looked exactly like the machines where I wasn't. (Big, black, sorry didn't get a pic.)
#1354
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures




Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 51,905
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Discussion continues: DCC: Dynamic Currency Conversion (2026)
Last edited by mia; Jan 28, 2026 at 7:23 pm

