Dynamic Currency Conversion.

Thanks for posting this!

Interesting marketing technique of them to label it as a 'service'. :) Even though what they are doing is just charging you an extra $22 for the exact same transaction. Thanks for posting - the picture makes it easy to envision / anticipate.

Yes. Whenever they ask "would you like to be charged in US dollars" it's always said so casually. If you didn't know about dynamic currency conversion you probably wouldn't think twice about saying yes. I'm grateful for travel forums.

Thanks. I observed the same this past March. It's easy to decline the DCC option and with the Swiss franc so close in parity to the USD the difference as pictured is obvious. Good reminder to look at what you accept.

DCC would have disappeared, had it not been considered an anti-monopoly service. Even if the former monopoly favours the customer over DCC 99 times out of a hundred. If not more.

Thanks for posting. I also noticed that DCC was very common when I was in Switzerland (and other countries) last fall. One has to be vigilant with every transaction!

Thanks a bunch! The picture is really helpful!

Yes it costs the unwary consumer more, and its particularly despicable when done without your approval. But there are some people who do in fact see it as a service they are willing to pay for. There are many American travelers who are unable or unwilling to think in terms of anything but the US dollar, and prefer to see their bills in "real" money terms. I have traveled with people who think this really is a convenience, and have seen many others make that choice when paying hotel or restaurant bills.

Thanks for posting this. I have arranged an upcoming Swiss trip in July for some less traveled friends. When I tell my travel buddies about DCC, They always give me a confused look. Now I can provide a visual! Thanks again.

At least in Switzerland the choice is shown clearly -- you can check the alternative choice for "euros" before the charge goes through (in my experience with railroad tickets, hotel and restaurant.)

It's becoming far more common throughout parts of Europe. In Spain it is almost the mainstay, both for ATM and regular transactions.

Know that you should always be given a choice to decline it and can always refuse a transaction at anytime before signature. Also know that using DCC will not reduce or eliminate your card's foreign transaction fees (if any).

At least in Switzerland the choice is shown clearly -- you can check the alternative choice for "euros" ....

Better choice in Switzerland is CHF.

BTW Here is what Visa says about DCC:
https://usa.visa.com/travel-with-visa/travel.html#5

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) offers you a choice of paying in
home currency when you use your card overseas. This service is offered
by merchants and includes a service fee in the exchange rate used.
To use Visa’s exchange rate, you can pay in the local currency instead. If you didn’t pay with DCC but still see it on your bill,
contact your bank to contest the charge.

Good catch, Edgar! Yes, CHF in Switzerland, euros in Italy where I am now.