I apologize if this has been mentioned before, but after returning from Norway I wanted to share a reminder that can help travelers avoid unnecessary charges.
When paying abroad and a card terminal asks whether you want to pay in your home currency, such as USD, or in the local currency, always choose the local currency option.
Choosing your home currency usually triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), where the merchant or payment processor applies its own exchange rate. These rates are often less favorable and can add unnecessary costs to your purchase.
By selecting the local currency, your card issuer typically handles the conversion instead, which often results in a better exchange rate and lower overall fees depending on your card terms.
It is a small choice during payment, but it can save money over the course of a trip.
0