crap, is there anyway to dispute this?

Does this mean it doesn't matter what the sales people do, it will automatically be a DCC transaction because the shop has 'sign up' for such package?

On the merchant slip there is an option to tick either MYR or SGD, similar to the link Wongchoy has shown.

After they cancel the first transaction, I specifically ask them to choose SGD but again the SMS came it is in MYR.

Hmm strange - sometimes when abroad I get asked if I want to put transaction through in MYR or HKD (for example) , I'll always pick foreign currency and never had this issue yet.

I have similar experience in airport, choose foreign currency and all good. May be the merchant playing trick choosing MYR as it is advantage to them

If you dispute the charges because of DCC , most probably we will fail. Those approval slip where you tick either MYR or SGD does little effect because the authorisation is done thru a DCC acquire hence bypass the traditional method.

cut long story short, if the shop is engaged in DCC it doesn't really matter what we do. Correct?

Yes, those machine by default select DCC when foreign cards are detected.

no..u suppose have the option to choose which currency you have..
i believe the sales person help you to choose on the terminal without you noticing..
or he not smart enough to choose the currency properly...

usually the sales would show me which currency can choose from and press in front of me

Based on our conversation here about DCC , i will start a new thread about it so i can share my experience about it, and most importantly how we could avoid it or settle it when it happen to us.Let me compile some info 1st before i create that thread.

Guys, an update on my case.

I can see now in my M2u the transaction was made in SGD. So apparently the shop was honest about it and somehow the SMS system capture it as DCC transaction but in my M2u it is captured as SGD and converted at a lower rate.

Been charged 2.39% on my VI for SGD transaction.

Visa rate: 2.5834

Rate charged: 2.6451

Glad to hear of the positive result. I tried to create a thread about DCC but the mod did not approve. Anyway have to be more careful now because DCC is now making inroad into Malaysia and Singapore. The other day i was nearly DCCed by a hotel in KL for using my Singapore card!

So does that mean that if I use my Malaysian cards overseas, as long as they do not charge me in RM but in their local currency, things should be safe?

It should be, my case was a little different as the shop choose SGD but SMS came instantly notifying transaction made in MYR.

May be the slip where I tick SGD, I am not sure but need to be very aware.

Generally safe but they could still scam thru "back office DCC".

the new restaurant ginza in meridien, got 50% promo?

Hi all, need advice.... im going to taiwan next week . I have mbb premier 2 cards, vi or amex can get the best exchange rate..... Tqvm

Try both , compare and report
I normally use mbb AR when oversea

i can confirm that the premier VI gives better rate than the AR during my stay in jp last month.

now RM are weakening..CC charge so high nowadays..
been charged 2.6835 for transaction in SGD using VI..


using Amex AR would give better rate for now..

This post has been edited by maskedchan: Dec 3 2014, 02:13 PM

Lucky i made my purchase last week, 2.6451

May I know is it better(cheaper) to use cash instead of credit cards? i.e. is the savings in exchange rate by using cash more than the points value one can collect from using VI or AR overseas?