Travel · Calculator
Dynamic currency conversion cost checker
See exactly how much you overpay when a terminal asks “Pay in home currency or local currency?” — and why you should always choose local.
Dynamic Currency Conversion is one of the most common and least understood travel money traps. When a terminal abroad asks whether you want to pay in your home currency or the local currency, many travellers choose home currency thinking it will be easier — but the merchant's conversion rate is typically 3–5% worse than your card's interbank rate. On a single $500 or equivalent restaurant bill, that's $15–$25 in unnecessary fees handed directly to the merchant's payment processor.
Select your home currency below, then enter the transaction amount and local currency to see exactly what DCC costs you on any transaction. The answer is almost always: pay in local currency.
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)is when a merchant or ATM offers to convert your transaction into your home currency at their exchange rate. Their rate is typically 3–5% worse than your card's rate. Always choose to pay in the local currency — every time.
Pay in local currency (EUR)
No fee — your card converts at the interbank rate
Accept DCC (pay in GBP)
~3.5% DCC markup applied by merchant or ATM
DCC overcharge on this transaction
The simple rule
Frequently asked questions
What is dynamic currency conversion (DCC)?
DCC is when a merchant terminal or ATM abroad offers to convert your transaction into your home currency instead of charging in the local currency. The conversion uses the merchant's rate, which is typically 3–5% worse than your card's rate. Always decline.
Why should you always pay in local currency abroad?
When you pay in local currency, your card issuer applies the interbank rate. When you accept DCC, the merchant applies their own 3–5% markup. Even if your card charges a forex fee, paying in local currency is almost always cheaper than accepting DCC.
How do I spot and decline DCC?
DCC is offered as a terminal prompt asking which currency to pay in, an ATM asking “Accept conversion?”, or a receipt showing your home currency amount before you've agreed. Always select the local currency and decline any conversion offer.
Which countries have the worst DCC practices?
DCC is most aggressively pushed in Thailand, Bali/Indonesia, Mexico, and tourist-heavy parts of Europe. Bali ATMs are notorious for DCC with rates up to 5%. Thai ATMs frequently offer “fixed rate” conversions. In these destinations, always explicitly select local currency.