Which is better - choosing With or Without Conversion at ATM in Saint Barthelemy?
You'll definitely want to choose Without Conversion at the ATM. When an ATM offers to convert the Euro to your home currency, it's a huge rip-off. The ATM provider will use a terrible exchange rate and tack on extra fees. You'll save money by letting your home bank handle the conversion, even with a foreign transaction fee. Always pay in the local currency, which is the Euro.
No question, always choose Without Conversion. That's the golden rule for travelers everywhere. The ATM is trying to make a profit by using a poor exchange rate. Even if your bank charges a small foreign transaction fee, it's almost always a better deal than what the ATM offers. The ATMs are limited on the island, so you'll want to get as much cash as you can.
Without a doubt, go Without Conversion. I was just in Saint Barth and the ATM near the airport offered to process my transaction in US dollars. I knew better, and by declining, I saved a few bucks. The ATM operator makes money by giving you a poor exchange rate. Your home bank will almost always give you a better, more competitive rate. This rule is a must-follow for all international travelers.
Always choose Without Conversion at the ATM. This is a classic travel trap, also known as Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). When you let the ATM, like one at a BNP Paribas branch in Gustavia, handle the conversion from Euros to your home currency, they use a terrible exchange rate and often add extra fees. You'll get a much better deal by letting your own bank, like your Chase Visa, do the conversion for you. Don't fall for the convenience of seeing your home currency on the screen.