Using Credit Card abroad - dynamic currency conversion

Snot

I think I've been ripped off by a hotel in Ireland, I asked to pay in Euro but the card machine only showed the Sterling conversion, there was no option to change to Euro. I questioned this but they insisted it was correct; anyway I paid and later looking at the receipt it says "I accept I have been offered a choice of currencies".
Is there any EU rule saying they must offer a choice ?
The CC company say it's nothing to do with them !!!

dzug1

Yes they must offer the choice - not sure if it's an EU rule or part of their contract with Visa etc.

You may not have been ripped off though - if you have a higher charging card DCC is not always more expensive.

Some CC companies would take it up for you

chattychappy

If the receipt was printed after you authorised the transaction, then the "I accept" part is meaningless.

I would work out exactly how much you lost on this deal and see if it is worth fighting on. Putting something on "trip advisor" (or whatever it is) might be a nice form of "revenge".

I'm beginning to think we all need CCTV installed in our skulls to collect evidence as to what really happens in situations like this.

luci

I think you have been ripped off IMO if you specifically asked to pay in euros. In a country where the euro is the currency they have the option to select euros or sterling on the terminal.

I used my CC in Girona and said I wanted to pay in euros. The assistant had already pressed the button to charge it in sterling, but he cancelled and voided the transaction then put it through again this time pressing the button on the terminal to charge in euros.

Biggles

The initial screen when you are handed the card reader in Ireland often has a choice of 'Yes' or 'No'. We are used to pressing 'OK' to confirm before inputting the PIN but, in this case, you may have pressed 'OK' to confirm DCC.

After that, they are correct to say you have been 'offered a choice'. But it's so easy to press 'OK' automatically.

Lydia_Thomas

...are looking for case studies of people who were charged via DCC on their credit cards abroad. It's for Friday 12th October 2012- please get in touch to tell me about your experience! 0161 836 [EMAIL="1386/lydia.thomas1@bbc.co.uk"]1386/ lydia.thomas1@bbc.co.uk[/EMAIL]

Thanks, Lydia

Assistant Producer,
Radio 4's You and Yours programme

reclusive46

This one big plus for American Express - They banned all DCC transactions on Amex. A few months ago I had this happen to me anyway on my Amex ('d imagine machine hadn't been updated since Amex banned it) I asked Amex to dispute the amount extra I'd be charged, they just charge backed the whole amount as they'd broken their merchant agreement!