Just used an ATM in American Samoa and it asked me to accept or decline conversion. I chose Accept but now Im not sure if I paid extra fees. Can someone explain what this means and whats the right option?
Happened to me outside the Tradewinds Hotel at an ATM from ANZ. The screen showed the amount in AUD and I hit Accept. Later realized I should’ve declined. The ATM applies their own rate when you Accept, which almost always means a worse deal. My Mastercard debit card from ING gave me a better exchange rate when I tried again the next day and hit Decline. It's definitely confusing the first time, but from now on I always say no to conversion.
Yes, that’s DCC in action. I was in Tafuna last month, used a Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS) ATM, and it offered me a rate in euros for my German N26 card. I hit "Decline" after reading about this trick before. DCC usually costs you more. Your home bank or card provider gives a better exchange rate, especially if you’re using travel cards like Revolut or Wise. If you “Accepted,” you probably paid extra, unfortunatelyusually 4-7% more.
Just visited for a few days and used a First Hawaiian Bank ATM near Fagatogo Market. When it asked me about conversion, I hit Accept too, and regretted it later. My Visa statement from Chase showed a poor exchange rate, and it didn’t match the market rate at all. The ATM probably added their own markup. Next time, Decline the conversionyour bank will usually give a fairer rate and may charge fewer or no fees if you’re using travel cards.
I used the Bank of Hawai‘i ATM at the Pago Plaza in American Samoa a few weeks ago, and it gave me the same option. I picked “Accept” the first time too, thinking it was required. Turns out, that’s dynamic currency conversion (DCC), and it means the ATMnot your banksets the exchange rate. I compared the rate later on my Wise account and noticed I got about 5% less value. Always hit Decline and let your own card issuer (like Revolut, Monzo, etc.) handle the conversion at a better rate.