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getmethere Apr 18, 2024 8:05 am

Google Pay in local currency
 
I am in the US, and will be using Google Pay in Europe for the first time. Previously I used credit cards, and always selected to pay with local currency, i.e. euro.

Google's comment on currency conversion:

https://support.google.com/googlepay...ent%20currency.


How currency conversions work

If possible, Google will charge you in the currency of your home country. Google gets this information from the home address that you added.

If that isn't possible, you'll be charged in a different currency. For those outside of the United States, this usually means being charged in U.S. dollars.

Note: You'll always see the currency you'll be charged in before you complete the transaction.

Update your billing country

If you've moved to a new area, you can update your home address so that you'll be charged in your home currency.
Since my Payments Profile has an US address, does it mean I will be paying in USD (converted by merchant) instead of in euro?

If so, is there a way to get around it?

IslesFan Apr 18, 2024 8:21 am

I will most likely defer to other posters, but I *think* you posted a page about google checkout (web orders).
I'm assuming you're talking about contactless pay via your phone? As an Apple Pay user, it's almost always in the local currency.

der_saeufer Apr 18, 2024 10:18 am


Originally Posted by IslesFan (Post 36170009)
I will most likely defer to other posters, but I *think* you posted a page about google checkout (web orders).
I'm assuming you're talking about contactless pay via your phone? As an Apple Pay user, it's almost always in the local currency.

Yep. If you're using Google Pay/Wallet to make NFC payments with your phone at shops, vending machines, etc. it's just like tapping the real credit card--you'll be charged in local currency unless the terminal offers DCC (which you should always reject).

NB: the app for paying with credit/debit cards in person is now called Google Wallet again (after having been changed from Wallet to Pay years back).

getmethere Apr 18, 2024 11:11 am

Thanks for the responses.

That link is about currency conversion in general, and not about Google Pay specifically. So I will likely pay in euro with Google Pay.

I only downloaded the Google Pay app. I read somewhere that Google Pay can earn (credit card) rewards on transactions, but Google Wallet cannot.

Need Apr 18, 2024 12:53 pm


Originally Posted by getmethere (Post 36170474)
Thanks for the responses.

That link is about currency conversion in general, and not about Google Pay specifically. So I will likely pay in euro with Google Pay.

I only downloaded the Google Pay app. I read somewhere that Google Pay can earn (credit card) rewards on transactions, but Google Wallet cannot.

Google Pay app uses credit cards/bank account stored in Google Wallet. Whenever I used my phone to pay at store, it charges to the local currency on my credit card (one that selected to pay in Google Wallet). So, unless the merchant asked to either pay in USD or local currency, it is always in local currency and my credit card bank would convert it to USD.

BTW, Google Pay app is going away in June, so you only get to use it for less than 2 months. And Google Pay rewards are gone already. You can't really earn anything before it's going away.

IslesFan Apr 18, 2024 12:58 pm


Originally Posted by getmethere (Post 36170474)
Thanks for the responses.

That link is about currency conversion in general, and not about Google Pay specifically. So I will likely pay in euro with Google Pay.

I only downloaded the Google Pay app. I read somewhere that Google Pay can earn (credit card) rewards on transactions, but Google Wallet cannot.


Originally Posted by Need (Post 36170724)
Google Pay app uses credit cards/bank account stored in Google Wallet. Whenever I used my phone to pay at store, it charges to the local currency on my credit card (one that selected to pay in Google Wallet). So, unless the merchant asked to either pay in USD or local currency, it is always in local currency and my credit card bank would convert it to USD.

BTW, Google Pay app is going away in June, so you only get to use it for less than 2 months. And Google Pay rewards are gone already. You can't really earn anything before it's going away.

Are we talking Google Pay Rewards or the regular rewards from your Credit Card Company here? If the latter, I've never had a case where I didn't get the rewards because I used apple pay.

Need Apr 18, 2024 2:07 pm


Originally Posted by IslesFan (Post 36170739)
Are we talking Google Pay Rewards or the regular rewards from your Credit Card Company here? If the latter, I've never had a case where I didn't get the rewards because I used apple pay.

Google Pay app itself had the reward on top of your credit card reward. There were online ones and in-store ones (using Google Pay app). Some of them were quite good, and they have local deal too that gave rewards for smaller stores around me.

paperwastage Apr 18, 2024 3:23 pm

With the same credit card (no fx fee) on same day, I find Google Pay giving better fx rates than using the physical card itself. Could be where Google wants your data and willing to pass thru/discount fees for this

You can check the live rate of the merchant network
https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/pers...-currency.html


https://usa.visa.com/support/consume...alculator.html

getmethere Apr 19, 2024 11:24 am


Originally Posted by IslesFan (Post 36170739)
Are we talking Google Pay Rewards or the regular rewards from your Credit Card Company here? If the latter, I've never had a case where I didn't get the rewards because I used apple pay.

I was referring to "the regular rewards from your Credit Card Company". Are those gone for Google Pay?

Need Apr 20, 2024 8:18 am


Originally Posted by getmethere (Post 36173092)
I was referring to "the regular rewards from your Credit Card Company". Are those gone for Google Pay?

Credit card rewards are always there whether you pay with Google Pay or Apple Pay or Paypal or any other methods online or in store (contactless using app, contactless using chip, etc..). The only way you don't get reward from the credit card company is that if the credit card company thinks you are using it as a cash advance.

HDQDD Apr 20, 2024 3:38 pm


Originally Posted by der_saeufer (Post 36170308)
Yep. If you're using Google Pay/Wallet to make NFC payments with your phone at shops, vending machines, etc. it's just like tapping the real credit card--you'll be charged in local currency unless the terminal offers DCC (which you should always reject).

I have never understood why that's even allowed*. They tried to pull this on me repeatedly in Mexico, but also in Europe and Caribbean countries. "Would you like to pay in (US) Dollars or <local currency>?". Why would would you want me to pay in dollars if they aren't even a legal form of payment in this Country!*

*well, I guess the answer to both is: to rip off foreign travelers who aren't likely to complain. They give horrid exchange rates which are many percent in their favor.


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