I'm visiting Glasgow over the weekend, and I think the last time I was in Scottland (Edinburgh) I received poor rates on credit card purchases due to dynamic currency conversion. Is there a way to avoid this? What should I ask for?

Thanks.

If they offer to allow you to pay in US currency, simply say "no thanks" and ask them to run the charge in pounds. If they insist, tell them you'd be happy to take your business elsewhere. You can also pay for more things in cash, but you'll see other posts about exorbitant exchange charges by banks for ATM withdrawals as well. Or use your Amex card, which doesn't allow dynamic currency conversion.

Demand that your transaction be in the local currency.

There are a lot of threads on this subject. Put DCC in the search box to get more information than you will ever need to know.

Try this: before charging, ask to be charged in Euros and also refuse to sign for any charge that is not in local currency (Euros).

In many cases, the merchant's agreement with the credit card company requires that you have a choice.

The response from the merchant may be "My terminal does this automatically, I can't change it." In that case...does anyone know the Gaelic phrase for "rip off"?

Euros?!?! I guess the "Gaelic" made me think Ireland....Pounds, for sure in E'burgh!

I'm not sure which is the least useful thing in Glasgow - Euros or Gaelic. And leaping to the phrase "rip off" isn't likely to lead to the happiest of visits, even if justified!

What!? The cashiers at Glasgow and Edinburgh McDonalds don't speak fluent Gaelic?

You will be fine. Sometimes the clerk doesn't know about the option and thinks they are helping you by running the charge in $. But if they don't offer the choice (and you forget to ask) and the charge slip shows $ - just politely ask them to void it and run it in GBP.

If for some reason they refuse/can't - don't sign the slip and write "was refused local currency option". Then you can challenge the small extra charge when you get your statement. But you probably won't have that much problem/hassle.

Thanks for the help. It's pounds for me, then!