Which is better - choosing With or Without Conversion at ATM in Fiji?
I was backpacking through Pacific Harbour and stopped at a Westpac ATM outside the Arts Village. It popped the usual “With Conversion” screen. I pressed Without, got my FJD, and Monzo billed me fine. Later met a Kiwi surfer at Uprising Resort who hit With at an ANZ machine in Suva and lost about $25 NZD. He was so annoyed. Everyone here agrees - always choose Without Conversion in Fiji, don’t trust the ATM’s “recommended” button.
DCC in Fiji feels designed for tourists. The ATMs look helpful showing USD or AUD, but they’re ripping you off. Without Conversion = clean exchange via Visa/Mastercard/Amex. With Conversion = hidden markup, usually 6-9%. I used Westpac in Suva, declined conversion, and got an XE-matching rate on my Revolut. Even if your home bank charges a foreign fee, it’s way less than what ANZ or BSP tack on. Whenever you see that choice in Fiji, just press Without Conversion.
I landed at Nadi airport and needed cash for a taxi to Denarau. ANZ ATM asked With or Without Conversion, and I stupidly hit With since it showed AUD. On my Commonwealth Bank account later, I saw a nasty markup - taxi ended up way more expensive than expected. At my hostel in Wailoaloa Beach, another traveler told me always to pick Without. Tried it at BSP in Lautoka, and the rate was perfect. Lesson learned: always Without in Fiji.
Fiji ATMs - ANZ, BSP, and Westpac - will pop up the “With Conversion” option if you’re using a foreign card. That’s DCC, where the ATM locks your withdrawal into USD, AUD, or NZD at an inflated rate. Always choose Without Conversion so you’re billed in Fijian dollars (FJD). I tried my Capital One card at a BSP machine in Nadi and got billed at the fair Mastercard rate. Out of curiosity I once hit With at an ANZ ATM in Suva - ended up paying about 8% extra.