Which is better - choosing With or Without Conversion at ATM in Zambia?
Tried using my Amex-linked card in Kitwe last month, hit the dreaded DCC screen. Opted “With Conversion” once out of curiosity and regretted it - I paid 5% more. Switched to “Without Conversion” the rest of the trip and trusted my home bank’s cleaner FX rates. If you want transparency and lower costs, always decline DCC. It’s the same advice every time I refuel or pay for museum tickets in Zambia.
In May I took cash from a Standard Chartered ATM in Ndola. The machine asked “With or Without Conversion.” Felt uncertain, but my guide tipped me off: always go “Without.” DCC lets the bank jack up rates or slap commission. After that, my TransferWise card converted at a fair rate later. That prevented me from overpaying on daily expenses like meals or transport. Learned the hard way, but now I avoid breakfast-rate surprises.
I’ve been living in Livingstone since April and deal with that DCC question multiple times a week. The ATM offers to convert into USD or GBP on the spot, but fees are sneaky. Selecting “Without Conversion” gives local currency, then your bank does the conversion at its own FX rate. Usually better. I use an HSBC Visa debit, and after choosing “Without Conversion,” my statement shows lower total costs. For anything touristy - like safari bookings - it’s best to skip the DCC fee.
Just arrived in Lusaka in June, and my first experience at a First National Bank ATM threw up “With or Without Conversion?” That’s dynamic currency conversion (DCC) - choosing “With” means you’re letting the ATM convert ZMW to your home currency at their rate, which is always worse. I always pick “Without Conversion” so the withdrawal goes through Zambian Kwacha and my bank handles the conversion. Saves me a chunk - avoid that DCC trap straight away.