I used my US card in Austria & the ATM just asked me Charge in USD or Charge in EUR - I feel like I should choose USD coz thats the currency in my bank account but it had these super confusing numbers on the screen saying 8% markup so not sure. What should I do?
That USD option is a slick DCC upsell. Always choose euros. I learned this at an Erste Bank ATM near Hofburg Palace: “Charge in EUR” gave me a clean €150. “Charge in USD” showed a higher-dollar equivalent that, after conversion, hit my account wrong. Stick to EUR withdrawals in Austria and avoid the markup. Your bank’s exchange rate beats ATM’s markup.
The ATM is offering to simplify for tourists - charge in your home currency (USD) - but charges you more. Click “Charge in EUR” to avoid inflated fees. The ATM will show the amount in euros, and your U.S. bank handles conversion at a better rate. I did this at a Sparkasse ATM in Salzburg and ended up saving nearly $15 per withdrawal on a €300 pull.
That “Charge in USD?” screen is a DCC trap - ATM pushes its own markup. Stick to euros when prompted. Use your bank’s FX via Visa or Mastercard network. I did side-by-side tests at Volksbank ATM in Graz: accepting USD conversion cost me nearly 8% extra. Declining saved value, and interbank rate applied. Always double check the final amount showing in EUR, not USD.
That’s dynamic currency conversion. ATM offers convert to USD for you, but the rate is terrible - usually 7-9%. Always choose “Charge in EUR” when in Austria ATMs. Let your US bank do the conversion with better interbank rates. I tested with my Chase Sapphire Preferred in Vienna and “Charge in EUR” saved me over $20 on a €200 withdrawal compared to “Charge in USD.” Always decline USD attempt.