Even though we live near the border it’s been several years since we’ve visited Canada. We were recently doing the International Selkirk Loop and stayed several nights in BC. I was surprised to see that at some hotels and restaurants when using my CC, I was given the choice of payment in either Canadian or US dollars. I do not remember seeing such a choice in previous visits. I’m wondering if this is a recent change. Or was I just oblivious before? I see from a comment last year made by a regular poster from Ontario that at least some Canadians are seeing DCC in the US so I guess potentially everyone is doing it to everyone now and I shouldn’t be surprised.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5835 posts
When visiting Canada I always pay in dollars be it cash or credit card.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4823 posts
When visiting Canada I always pay in dollars be it cash or credit card
Yes, but are you paying in USD or CAD?
For the last several years, I've seen the offer for DCC in every country we've visited. Can't imagine why Canada would be any different.
Posted by
Denver, CO, USA
1556 posts
I was traveling frequently to Canada (mainly Calgary and Edmonton) every couple of weeks for work from the tail end of 2015 through July of 2017 and only encountered it at one Sandwich place in Calgary. So it is there in places but not widespread.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5326 posts
DCC is found quite often in the USA; more at ATMs than merchants, although that might have changed for the worse with the spread out of more up-to-date payment systems.
Posted by
585 posts
This forum recommends that in Europe the exchange rates using DCC are not great and you are better to use the local currency. Of course the rate of Cdn$ to US$ Is horrible for Canadians whatever we decide to do!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32198 posts
I've never encountered DCC anywhere in Canada, but I'm sure the POS terminals recognize that my card is "local" based on the first four numbers of the card. I suppose I'm not surprised to hear that DCC is finally appearing here.
Posted by
495 posts
Never Never pay in your home countries money; it costs more, always charge in the countries currency you're in!
Jean
Posted by
Houston
3517 posts
DCC is world wide, and that includes Canada.
You will never see it offered to you if you are paying with a card that is issued by a company in that country. So if you are in Canada using a Canadian issued card, you will never be offered DCC. Same in the US if you are using a US issued card, you won't see it.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"You will never see it offered to you if you are paying with a card that is issued by a company in that country. So if you are in Canada using a Canadian issued card, you will never be offered DCC. Same in the US if you are using a US issued card, you won't see it. "
Yes, one of the more interesting things I learned from this forum. I was startled to learn that DCC is widespread in the US, since I've never seen it. Of course I hadn't - as a holder of a US credit card, what other currency could I be offered but US dollars? But those with cards from other countries apparently see it a lot.
DCC is definitely becoming more prevalent. For instance, I don't remember much of it from my first trip to Switzerland in September 2014, but saw more of it on my second Switzerland trip in September 2017 (including at the Zurich airport ATM, where I didn't see it the first trip).
First timer travelers worry about pickpockets - they ought to worry more about DCC!
Posted by
Everett, WA, US
85 posts
It's just a another way for the banks to rip you off. Always choose to pay in the local currency.
Posted by
10 posts
I agree with Scott and everyone else - it's a total ripoff.