Just returned from a trip to the UK during which I had a rental car for a few days.

I booked the car through AutoEurope which routed me to National and when I arrived I opted to take out additional insurance to bring the deductible to zero.

Without any notice whatsoever the folks at the National desk tried to put the additional insurance charges through in US dollars until I put a stop to it and demanded that the charges be made in Pounds.

As some of you know the original "dynamic currency conversion" idea was initiated by car rental companies (Hertz as I recall).

Harrods: I made several purchases there but I will say they at least ASKED me first if I wanted the charges put through in US dollars.

Nowhere else in the UK did this occur and I also had absolutely no trouble using a US-issued credit card in stores, petrol stations, retaurants, etc., even in the very smallest of places.

Thanks Dukey for passing along this information. We are renting a car for two weeks through Hertz so I will warn DH to check the paperwork at the Hertz desk at LGW. He is not likely to let this slip through. We will visit Harrod's but our shopping is usually small purchases but will pay close attention to conversion rate--never had this happen at Harrod's in the past.

Re the car rental...there would not have been a problem if I had simply gone with the prepaid package from AutoEurope, used my CC for insurance coverage, etc.

What was particularly annoying was the fact that I was not offered the option of having the charge go through in Pounds.

As to Harrods...this may have happened because I was using a US-based/issued CC and I made several purchases in different departments throughout the store. None of them were for more than 200 Pounds but in each case the clerk asked me if billing in DOLLARS was what I preferred and each time I said, "No."

I have been going to Harrods off and on since the 70's - and they have almost always asked if I wanted the purchase processed in US$. Long before DCC was even a glint in someone's eyes.

I have always requested £ - but other currencies have always been a option . . . . .

Well, Janis, I have not had the same harrods experience that you have. After spending LOTS of money there over the years this is the first time I have ever been asked which currency I wanted.
Interestingly, I also used the same credit card for various purchases at Fortnum's and there were no questions..the charges were all in Pounds so go figure.

They've never asked me either before this year.

Well - maybe it makes a difference what dept or how much one is spending. The last time I was in Harrod's was was June '05 and while I was sitting at the desk I was once again asked would I like the bill in $ or £.

But I did I sort of mis-speak in my first post. I didn't mean they <u>always</u> ask - but that during almost every visit, I've been asked at least in some depts. Most often in the touristy &quot;Harrod's Shop&quot; on the lower ground floor, and in some higher end depts. I don't remember being asked in the food halls, cosmetics, small leathers or those sorts of sections.

OH - I might add: I've even been asked when I was paying cash and not charging anything. Harrod's does take $, &yen;, &euro; etc . . . . . (not at the very best exchange rates but not bad either)