Article: Why is Dynamic Currency Conversion Even Legal?

[clifford]

windows 7 operating system

How is that relevant?

 

[furiousmango]

Looking back at a google map, it looks like the UK is suffering the same volume of bank branch closures as Australia - the nearest big bank ATM was a 20 minute walk

 

[MEL_Traveller]

How is that relevant?

Apparently the system has frequent disruptions, buffering and has to reset. And may not then give you your money. Not supported and no security updates?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

How is that relevant?

It tells you the machines aren’t being properly maintained

 

[SYD]

It tells you the machines aren’t being properly maintained

Or, if it works - don’t mess with it…

Looking back at a google map, it looks like the UK is suffering the same volume of bank branch closures as Australia - the nearest big bank ATM was a 20 minute walk

Where are you using cash in the UK? They’re pretty much 99.9% cashless if you want to.

Ironic in that it’s one of the few countries where most ATMs are fee free!

 

[N860CR]

Have had recent experience in Poland. Most transactions come up with options of which currency to pay in & then you push the red button to opt for Zloty-other times it was push 1 for Zloty. There were a few spots (very small minority) where no choice was given but defaulted to Zloty

Post automatically merged: Jul 5, 2025

In Poland now and pretty much every machine seems to do it. Generally hasn’t been an issue, but one guy snuck an AUD push in. One this evening was very frustrating… it was an older machine so no touchscreen. Had the polish flag on the left and Aussie flag on the right. Common sense would say “1” for Poland and “2” for Aus? Nope. It was swapped around. So press 2 for the first option or 1 for the second 🫩. They scored $5 out of a slightly inebriated self.

What’s frustrating with the whole scam is that these days you just tap your card and that’s the end of it. No pin, no signature. The DCC appears after the tap when the transaction is as good as over.

 

[clifford]

Or, if it works - don’t mess with it…

Where are you using cash in the UK? They’re pretty much 99.9% cashless if you want to.

Ironic in that it’s one of the few countries where most ATMs are fee free!

I like to offload my GBP cash at Tescos. No one bats an eyelid.

 

[SYD]

I like to offload my GBP cash at Tescos. No one bats an eyelid.

Yep, many places still will take cash but there are certainly a lot of cashless places popping up around the UK.

 

[Wanderlust1985]

Why is Dynamic Currency Conversion Even Legal? is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

Why is Dynamic Currency Conversion Even Legal?

Most countries ban junk surcharges like "resort fees" because they can trick people into paying more and are bad for consumers. So, why is dynamic currency conversion (DCC) is still legal?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

@AFF Editor What ever happened with your TAP Portugal Airlines example? The exact same thing happened to me today.

Booked a flight, the charge came through on my Bendigo Bank Ready Credit Card (No FOREX Fees) at $25 more than expected. I checked the transaction and it had been charged in AUD. At no point in the TAP booking process was my payment quoted in anything other than EUR.

I'd like to disupte the transaction, but at the same time i need to take the TAP flight (going from Ghana to Sao Tome and Principe, excited!) Is there any justice or do i just have to suck it up?