Just used an ATM in New Caledonia 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?
Yep, I ran into this at a BRED Bank ATM near Anse Vata Beach. I chose “Accept” because the screen made it seem like the standard option, but my N26 card got hit with a bad exchange rate. That’s DCC you’re basically giving the ATM permission to do the conversion, and they mark it up quietly. From then on, I always Decline Conversion and let my bank handle it. You’ll save money that way, no question.
Just came back from New Caledonia and had the exact issue at a Societe Generale Caledonienne de Banque (SGCB) ATM in Noumea’s Latin Quarter. I selected “Accept Conversion” and my Monzo account showed I was charged in EUR at a really weak rate. It’s a common DCC trap the ATM looks like it’s helping you, but it’s just pushing its own expensive exchange rate. Always Decline, especially with cards like Monzo, Wise, or N26.
Same thing happened to me in Lifou at a BNC ATM. I pressed “Accept” because it sounded like it would reduce fees, but my Revolut card was charged in GBP at a really poor rate. That’s DCC the ATM handles the currency conversion and adds hidden fees inside the exchange rate. I tested it again the next day, hit “Decline,” and my card gave me a much better deal. Always decline when the ATM asks to convert.
Yes, that’s unfortunately quite normal. I used a Banque Caledonienne d’Investissement (BCI) ATM in Noumea and hit “Accept” thinking it was the safer option. Later, my Wise app showed I got a terrible exchange rate nearly 6% off what it should’ve been. That’s Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). It lets the ATM convert the currency at its own inflated rate instead of your card provider’s. Always Decline Conversion your travel card will handle the exchange much more fairly.