ATMs in Congo keep asking Accept or Decline Conversion - what does that mean? Shows high charges for this
Withdrawing at Congo’s Ecobank or Afriland First Bank ATMs always triggers an Accept or Decline Conversion option. Accept means you pay more because the ATM vendor adds fees plus a worse exchange rate-often 8-10% extra. Declining allows your Visa or Mastercard issuer to convert at their rates, which are generally fairer, though you still pay local ATM fees and your bank’s foreign transaction fee. My tip: have a multi-currency card and always decline to minimize costs during Congo trips.
I was nervous first time the ATM showed accept/decline conversion in Congo, especially with high markups-up to 12% beyond usual bank rates. All the big banks, like UBA, run multiple foreign card networks, but none offer fee-free ATM use. Pro tip: bring a multicurrency card (like Wise or Revolut) to track what you’re charged, and always decline conversion for a slightly better deal.
Used my Visa debit at an Access Bank ATM in Brazzaville and saw the accept conversion prompt. If you say yes, they show the fees on the screen-sometimes a flat amount and a percent of your withdrawal. I declined conversion, and the final amount my bank charged was still high but definitely less than what the ATM offered. Note: not all machines work with foreign cards, so have backups.
When I traveled to Congo, every UBA Bank and Ecobank ATM hit me with the accept or decline conversion question. If you press accept, the ATM sets its own rate and adds on a lot-sometimes $6 or more per withdrawal. Declining hands the transaction off to your own bank (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), which usually saves you a few dollars. Always decline unless you want to pay a premium. The only drawback is some local ATMs charge high local fees regardless.