Sorry if this has been asked before. Re credit card transactions.

zagfles

reclusive46 wrote: »

Yeah the Lloyds Amex and MBNA Everyday Plus Amex do not charge any markup.

Amex (even if it is one that charges a fee) is also a good card to have if your going to China or Hong Kong as DCC is unavoidable (No way to cancel it on the machine) and the terminal will give you a markup of around 5 to 10%.

Really? I thought VISA and Mastercard mandate that payment in the local currency must be offered and DCC is always optional?

I've been told a few times by dodgy retailers in Spain and Ireland that DCC is unavoidable but having stood my ground and refused to pay in GBP, they seem to find a way to take the payment in the local currency These days I find it far less hassle to pay in cash in countries like Spain and Ireland, at least ATMs always give you the choice.

chattychappy

I've had no problems avoiding DCC in Hong Kong on my Nationwide Select card last November.

I have had a problem in Spain, though.

BUT, I must admit, since being able to get cash out overseas for minimal cost on Clarity, I am turning back to cash...

reclusive46

zagfles wrote: »

Really? I thought VISA and Mastercard mandate that payment in the local currency must be offered and DCC is always optional?

I've been told a few times by dodgy retailers in Spain and Ireland that DCC is unavoidable but having stood my ground and refused to pay in GBP, they seem to find a way to take the payment in the local currency These days I find it far less hassle to pay in cash in countries like Spain and Ireland, at least ATMs always give you the choice.

They are the rules. But given China Unionpay is only network in China (Visa and MasterCard have just partnered with them). The merchant acquirers can do whatever the hell they want.

reclusive46

chattychappy wrote: »

I've had no problems avoiding DCC in Hong Kong on my Nationwide Select card last November.

I have had a problem in Spain, though.

BUT, I must admit, since being able to get cash out overseas for minimal cost on Clarity, I am turning back to cash...

You were very lucky. Hong Kong is well known for being hellish with DCC. Especially global payments terminals which literally have no way of not using DCC.

Petra_70

So it does happen then? I just wondered.

Thanks for your help everyone.

cos_2

I have a credit card with Bank of Scotland, and along my debit card account with Halifax both have a "outstanding transactions" link on the websites. These show transactions that haven't been finalised but are going to be applied to my account,

Personally, I find that odd as there is nothing I can do to change them. Why they don't simply show as completed transactions is daft.

Banks have laws unto themselves.

guesswho2000

reclusive46 wrote: »

You were very lucky. Hong Kong is well known for being hellish with DCC. Especially global payments terminals which literally have no way of not using DCC.

Really, I've never had a problem the numerous times I've been in HK. Had a couple of issues where they tried it on, but I simply refused to confirm until they charged it in HKD.

Mainland China they were a bit sneaky with it though, more issues than HK, but I've found in both you end up with a slip and you mark a box next to the relevant currency - I'm sure they end up doing something with the terminal to confirm whatever you've agreed.