Dollars or Euros?

Outside of the US, if you make a purchase using your credit card, your best bet is to choose euros (or the local currency) vs. dollars, or you will most likely be paying high conversion fees, often at rates of 4% or more.

The machines are tricky, however, and once payment in euros is selected, most unsuspecting and trusting customers think they are all set. But then a second screen appears asking to either accept or reject the conversion. Huh???? The correct answer at first seems to be to accept what you have selected, because you think it's asking, "Are you sure?" But it's not. If you choose to accept the conversion, your request to pay in euros will be ignored and you will be charged in dollars plus the additional conversion fee.

Here is how to avoid the fees:

The first image below shows the credit card charge, asking the user to select 1. USD or 2. EUR. It also states what it will cost to convert to dollars and that this is a 4% charge (the mark-up.)

The second image shows the second screen. Note that it states that the exchange rate (i.e., in USD) WILL apply and then it kindly asks if you want to 1) Accept (meaning you will pay in USD at a 4% additional charge) or 2) Reject (you pay in Euros, which is what was asked in the first place!) It ignored your response to question 1!

So remember: choose 2. Euros and 2. Reject if you don't want additional charges on your credit card.