Just used an ATM in Antigua and Barbuda 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?
Same thing happened at the airport in Antiguaused an ATM from ACB Caribbean. I thought “Accept” was the secure option, but later found out it triggered DCC. My Mastercard debit card showed a bad rate and some extra charges I didn’t expect. If you see your home currency on the ATM screen, it’s a red flag. Next time just press “Decline” and you’ll probably save a few bucksit adds up over multiple withdrawals.
I did the same thing last month near Dickenson Bay, used a Scotiabank ATM, and hit “Accept.” Regretted it later when I compared ratesmy UK Monzo account showed I lost around 6%. “Accept Conversion” is basically a trap called DCC. It gives you a fixed rate up front, but it’s inflated. When you “Decline,” your bank or card provider converts the amount instead, often at a fairer exchange rate and sometimes with no extra ATM markup.
Yes, totally normal. I withdrew cash in Jolly Harbour from a CIBC FirstCaribbean ATM, and it asked the same thing. “Accept” means the ATM does the conversion and includes their own markupyou usually lose about 4-7% that way. I use a Wise card and now always select “Decline” so Wise can convert it using the mid-market rate. It’s confusing wordingthey make it sound safer, but it's actually the more expensive option.
This happened to me in St. John's at an Eastern Caribbean Amalgamated Bank (ECAB) ATM right near Heritage Quay. I chose “Accept” thinking it was the safe or normal option. Later, my Revolut app showed I got a worse exchange rate than usual. That option is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)basically, the ATM converts the currency at their own rate, which is almost always worse than your card’s. Next time, Decline and let your card issuer handle the conversionthey give a much better deal.