Which is better - choosing With or Without Conversion at ATM in Lesotho?
The best move in Lesotho ATMs is always to decline on-screen currency conversion. Pick ‘Without Conversion’ to get fair exchange rates through your bank. Bank ATMs in Maseru, like at Standard Lesotho Bank, support this option and it saved me a good chunk of fees on Visa transactions.
If you’re withdrawing cash from ATMs in Lesotho, pick ‘Without Conversion’ for sure. I accidentally chose ‘With Conversion’ once using an ATM at Lesotho Bank in Maseru and got charged a ridiculous markup. After that, I stuck strictly to the ‘Without Conversion’ option-your card issuer will give you the real exchange rate and fewer fees.
In Lesotho, the ‘With Conversion’ option may seem easier because it shows your home currency, but it’s usually a bad deal. Those ATMs, especially at Coris Bank, charge hefty markups on these conversions. I always picked ‘Without Conversion’ so my Mastercard handled the exchange rate-far better rates that way.
When using ATMs in Lesotho, especially in Maseru, it’s always better to choose ‘Without Conversion.’ The ‘With Conversion’ option usually makes the ATM operator set the rate, and it comes with an inflated exchange rate plus extra fees. I used my Visa card at Nedbank and Standard Lesotho Bank ATMs and saved money by letting my own bank handle the currency conversion with ‘Without Conversion.’