Denmark charging extra card fees

Netrix1

Just got back from Denmark, where almost every card payment (using Chase and Halifax clarity) incurred a mysterious added fee of a few per cent, even when choosing to pay in Euros. I asked the sellers and they said it's not us, it's from your bank.. it's not mentioned separately on the card statement.

Since then I've spent in France and Germany with no added fees.

Can anyone shed some light on this? 

Ayr_Rage

If you are paying in Euros then you aren't paying in the local currency which is Danish Krone.

Linus2864

Hi Netrix1,

Is there a reason you couldn't pay in Danish Krone (card restrictions etc)?   When I am over there, I always use DKr and have never had a problem with my UK issued cards.

If you paid in Euros then it is possible that the extra amounts are due to conversion between DKr and €.

Hope this helps 

L

zagfles

I've noticed in a lot of non-Euro European countries, they often display prices in EUR for stuff aimed at tourists. However this is indicative only, they actually charge in the local currency. So they'll be expecting payment in the local currency even if they display prices in EUR. A few times I've seen prices in EUR, eg 10 EUR, went to pay with a 10 EUR note only to be told they don't take EUR! Also most hotels seem to price in EUR but when it comes to paying it's charged in local currency. 

So if you say you want to pay in EUR by CC, they may use DCC to convert the currency, with a markup. In future, pay in the local currency even if the price is displayed in EUR.