Protest forced USD conversion on credit cards use outside the US
Jul 20, 2006, 5:03 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
Originally Posted by tom911
I've had this happen twice last year in Ireland.
Two years ago at the entrance to Bunratty Castle I walked down the ticket line and informed everyone waiting that they were about to be scammed. The cashier was livid.
Jul 20, 2006, 5:25 am
#17
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,605
It's called "dynamic currency conversion" BTW
You might want to read what the Nationwide Building Society (all foreign transactions FREE) says about this "service".
You might want to read what the Nationwide Building Society (all foreign transactions FREE) says about this "service".
Jul 20, 2006, 6:28 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
Originally Posted by USA_flyer
It says at the bottom you can refuse to sign the slip. How will that work in reality? Do I just leave with the bill unpaid?
Jul 20, 2006, 9:29 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: United, American, Delta, Hyatt, Hilton, Hertz, Marriott
Posts: 14,792
I have never had a vendor run a charge in anything but the local currency. Given the extra fees involved, I'd certainly refuse to accept such a charge. Thanks for the heads up.
Jul 20, 2006, 9:52 am
#21
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tanya Buri, Thailand
Programs: CX, TG, SPG all back to base.
Posts: 775
Happened to me in Thailand recently on my HKD card. Was for a large sum (basically a kitchen and three bathrooms worth of fittings/appliances - I was building my house so the difference was in the hundreds of USD equivalent). Took nearly an hour to sort out, but sort it out they finally did, only after the input of my bank in HK.
The biggest cheat is the statement at the bottom of the chit that reads "I acknowledge I have been given the option to pay in my home currency".
The biggest cheat is the statement at the bottom of the chit that reads "I acknowledge I have been given the option to pay in my home currency".
Jul 20, 2006, 11:03 am
#22
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
Does it matter which bank is the issuer of the card? Capital One has been more traditional with its Visa and MasterCard products when dealing with foreign fees. Perhaps a wiki on this topic could track which issuing cards have experienced this dynamic currency conversion. Does this happen on AMEX?
Jul 20, 2006, 11:22 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: UA-Plat, Marriott-Plat, AAI, AAII
Posts: 3,758
Originally Posted by fastflyer
Does it matter which bank is the issuer of the card? Capital One has been more traditional with its Visa and MasterCard products when dealing with foreign fees. Perhaps a wiki on this topic could track which issuing cards have experienced this dynamic currency conversion. Does this happen on AMEX?
The merchant decides that for your "convenience" they are personally going to convert local curreny to USD. Of course they are also going to include a fat fee for themselves in the process.
Often the poor dumb SOB working the cash register does not know why they are converting; their boss may have just ordered them to do it.
Jul 20, 2006, 12:10 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Houston, Texas
Programs: CO Silver
Posts: 2,600
What about merchants (specifically hotels) who price in USD but then charge your card in local currency? I have seen this frequently in Central/South America. It is the same idea. You are at the mercy of their 'official' exchange rate.
I have only seen the inverse once...and they were only doing it for Amex charges.
I have only seen the inverse once...and they were only doing it for Amex charges.
Jul 30, 2006, 10:52 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 1
I have been researching this too after a trip to Europe. This site has a lot on the matter: http://www.travelfinances.com/blog/
They have an interview with an industry person who says that DCC is actually a service, but the site give lots of ways to not to be charged this questionable fee.
My understanding is that the consumer ALWAYS has the choice not to be charged this fee, but sometimes they are pressured by the merchant because the merchant makes $$$
They have an interview with an industry person who says that DCC is actually a service, but the site give lots of ways to not to be charged this questionable fee.
My understanding is that the consumer ALWAYS has the choice not to be charged this fee, but sometimes they are pressured by the merchant because the merchant makes $$$