DCC converts the purchase before it reaches your issuer
Treat this as a separate conversion offer: the merchant or ATM is proposing a rate before the transaction reaches your usual card-conversion path. Read the displayed rate or markup, and choose local currency when you want the card network and issuer to perform the conversion instead.
The merchant or ATM sets the conversion offer
The final converted amount can depend on who performs the conversion and when the transaction is processed, so a live market quote is only a reference point. Use the posted statement amount and separately disclosed fees to judge the real retail cost.
Visa requires the rate and markup to be disclosed
When DCC is offered on a Visa transaction, the conversion information should be presented so the cardholder can make a choice rather than having home-currency conversion imposed silently. If the rate or markup is not clear, decline DCC and pay in local currency.
You should be able to decline the conversion
The final converted amount can depend on who performs the conversion and when the transaction is processed, so a live market quote is only a reference point. Use the posted statement amount and separately disclosed fees to judge the real retail cost. For planning purposes, remember that you should be able to decline the conversion.
Local currency usually leaves conversion to your card issuer
The final converted amount can depend on who performs the conversion and when the transaction is processed, so a live market quote is only a reference point. Use the posted statement amount and separately disclosed fees to judge the real retail cost. For planning purposes, remember that local currency usually leaves conversion to your card issuer.
DCC is different from a foreign transaction fee
Treat this as a separate conversion offer: the merchant or ATM is proposing a rate before the transaction reaches your usual card-conversion path. Read the displayed rate or markup, and choose local currency when you want the card network and issuer to perform the conversion instead. For planning purposes, remember that dCC is different from a foreign transaction fee.
ATMs can offer DCC as well as shops
Treat this as a separate conversion offer: the merchant or ATM is proposing a rate before the transaction reaches your usual card-conversion path. Read the displayed rate or markup, and choose local currency when you want the card network and issuer to perform the conversion instead. For planning purposes, remember that aTMs can offer DCC as well as shops.
Check the receipt before leaving
Save enough detail to identify the transaction later: date, time, amount, location or merchant, and any receipt or on-screen error. That evidence is especially useful if a bank, merchant or ATM operator has to trace the transaction after you leave the location. Practical rule: check the receipt before leaving.
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