Question
I just got back from Ireland & I noticed at the time of first Visa purchase that I got the slip in US dollars with a 3% surcharge. The first time was for 11 euros and it took more time than it was worth to change to euros instead of the surcharged amount in US dollars. For the next few transactions, I requested the charge in euros but they came back in dollars. I had to sign 3 slips each time. (one for the original charge in dollars, second a refund of the original charge, and third the correct charge in euros).
It seems like it is set up so most people are not aware they are paying a 3% or more surcharge for the convenience to be billed in dollars. When one gets the bill, they are further surcharged (anything charged overseas) by Visa/MC and the financial institution.
It is most annoying that I have to sign 3 slips each time I do a transaction to get it billed in the currency where I purchased the product/service. And I do have to politely "push" the clerk to do the transaction in their currency that is not surcharged at the point of purchase.
Bottom line: Is there a better way to do this? For small purchases, I would just pay cash and not bother with the credit card. Not worth 13 miles for a 10 euro purchase.
Answer
I have read about this, but have not experienced it. What sort of merchants are doing it? Do you have the impression the sales clerk chooses the currency manually, or does their terminal detect the nationality of the card when it is swiped and default to dollars because you have a USA issued card?
dennis
Answer
I have read about this, but have not experienced it. What sort of merchants are doing it? Do you have the impression the sales clerk chooses the currency manually, or does their terminal detect the nationality of the card when it is swiped and default to dollars because you have a USA issued card?
dennis
Even when I asked to get the bill in Euros, their machine generates the receipt in dollars. Out of several transactions, only the Dublin airport duty free store was able to swipe it in Euros. The clerk had to key in a number of strokes to get the receipt in Euros. It is of my opinion that the receipt is in the currency of the card's home country. (with the 3% surcharge :mad: ).
Answer
I had this problem in Tryp hotel in Madrid.
By default, their mchine bills US cards in USD under awfull exchange rate ( 1.25 vs 1.2 at the market that day).
I refused to sign and they reversed charge.
Then they called bank and bank explained them how to instruct machine (enter some key combo) to charge in EUR.
They have done so - but my original card started declining (later on figured out that the first transaction was not canceled but revesred - so first authorization stayed). Good that I had a backup card which I had to use - albeit not a reward one.
So, my total loss was about $10 - lost opportunity on the reward
Answer
Just sign "REFUSED." State that you will only pay in local currency, and sign "REFUSED" to the original receipt. Then contest the charge at home.
After a while, when enough people are creating havoc for the banks in this way, they will disable this merchant terminal enhancement.