PS - Just to clarify, the Nairobi Hilton incident I mentioned earlier was definitely an example of DCC. Everything at the hotel was priced in KES, they gave me a folio in KES on checkout but then presented a charge slip to sign in USD. On subsequent trips, I just paid in KES cash.

Thank you for clarifying this..

Just responding to Patty's enquiry about where one finds the DCC:

We found it to be ubiquitous in Ireland by the time of our 2005 (I think that was the year) trip. By the fifth day of a 15-day trip, we just stopped paying with credit cards because of the detailed argument one would have to present to a usually innocent waitress or deck manager. Given that some small towns in Ireland do not have ATMs, it became important to do major cash withdrawals with two ATM cards whenever we could.

We also found it in Italy 2006 at a few places in the coastal Tuscany region. Someone also told us the Del Senato in Rome had been using DCC, but they did not do so on our bill.

The standard response when one questions this is, "It's just a convenience, sir. We're going out of our way to charge you in YOUR currency." So the client has to look like the bad guy if he complains.

Thanks everybody for letting me know where in Europe you've experienced DCC. I've also resorted to just paying in cash as it gets tiresome to argue.

There was never an argument on my part...

When, in either Ireland or Scotland, they tried to pull this scam on me it was simply, "I did not request you convert the currency. Please don't waste time with the lies managements teaches you to tell customers about this garbage. Either void the transaction or bring the manager over." It was done calmlhy and of course several times elicited the response, but we're doing this as a service to you....my response, smiling, bring the manager over and invariably, the manager knew exactly what had to be done.....

But to pay cash on a trip because of this garbage, never in a million years.

I've also experienced DCC in a Zurich souvenir shop. They were being so "kind" as to charge me in US Dollars, but the rate really sucked since I had checked the rates that AM before leaving the hotel. They charged me almost US$23 for a CHF 19 item. Had the direct daily exchange rate been used, I should have only been charged a little less than $19, and if you tack on the 1% my credit card charges, then I would have only had to pay about US$20.

I had them reverse the charges, and I paid in cash. I don't need them to do me that favor.

I remember last year, I was given the choice of either taking the DCC or rejecting it in Europe. What happened to that choice? Are the newer machines no longer allowing choice?

mcnyc..

Let's make it very clear...the merchant's agreement for visa/mc specifically says that while a merchant can pull this dcc scam, it can only be done with the consent of the customers..

The terminals all ask the cashier before completing the transaction whether the customers wishes to be scamm..oops pay in his or her local currency (BTW just to make it clear to an earlier poster, it is not limited to USD...it's done in CAD, AUD, GBP, JPY); some merchants in the USA are being solicited by a card payment processor to begin doing it to folks from euroland as well as Brits..it is a cancer metastasizing through the tourist world...

Cashiers are taught to lie to customers...among the lies that are thrown out are:

1. Your currency amount shown on the slip is an approximation...the actual conversion will be done by your bank (then you ask why am I being asked to accept the conversion as final and they hae no answer)

2. We have no control over it..it is done automatically by the terminal (as noted above, because of the mc/visa reg, the terminal asks the clerk before completing the transaction if the customer wishes this "service&quot

3. Sorry the transaction has been done already and cannot be voided (wrong..any transaction on a pos terminal can be voided..sometimes cashiers "accidentally" enter the wrong amount (inveriably more than it should be)..oops sorry I'll void the transaction)

4. No speak English (done in Italy, Spain where this scam is being implemented)

5. Why are you making a fuss, it's a better rate than the bank gives..go out and check the rate the bank is givin (not told that's the rate on cash which is always higher than the rate banks convert cc's on)

6. Your bank adds a fee for converting currency..when done in your currency there's no fee (wrong, some banks have already implemented calling the fee a foreign transaction fee rather than a foreign currency fee..more will do so when the new fees are implemented by mc/visa)

I have had this scam attempted on me in Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland and Holland..never in England, Germany and France...as I understand it is becoming very prevelent in Spain and Italy (no speak English)...

Stand your ground, demand to see the manager..when they pull any of these lies, tell them to their face they are liars..if they continue to refuse to do the charge properly in local currency only do as robespierre suggested, circle the amount in euro (or whatever the local currency is), cross out your currency amount as listed, cross out the statement you accept the dcc, write local currency not offered and sign your name...tell the establishment you will be disputing the charge and it will be charged back to them but under no circumstances should you pay cash if they pull this stuff on you.

I've had it happen to me in Italy - about 2 years ago. Michael - that extra is sure adding salt to the wound.