ATMs in US Virgin Islands keep asking Charge in EUR or Charge in USD - what does that mean? Shows high charges for this
Live here now and can confirm: always choose USD when using any ATM in the USVI. That weird EUR option shows up on ATMs installed by global operators, not local banks. They're betting tourists won’t know the difference. You get charged more when you let their network convert it to EUR. Use ATMs from Scotiabank, FirstBank VI, or Banco Popular to avoid this nonsense altogether.
When I first landed at the Red Hook ferry terminal, I used an ATM that offered EUR or USD and didn’t think much of it - picked EUR. My bank showed a terrible rate and stacked on extra fees. Later realized I should have picked USD and let my own bank do the conversion. Locals told me to avoid those ATMs altogether and stick with Banco Popular or FirstBank machines for transparent fees and no conversion trickery.
Had this happen at a standalone ATM in Cruz Bay, St. John. I was confused why EUR even showed up - this is the U.S.! Turns out, the ATM operator is foreign and tries to bait you into using their conversion. Don't fall for it. Hit “Decline Conversion” and continue in USD. It’s a scammy way to charge tourists more. Best ATM I found was FirstBank inside the shopping plaza - straight USD, no drama.
This is the classic dynamic currency conversion (DCC) trap. Even though the US Virgin Islands uses USD, some ATMs (especially in touristy spots in St. Thomas or at Cyril E. King Airport) are operated by European companies like Euronet. That’s why they show EUR vs USD. Always choose USD - it lets your home bank handle the conversion, usually at a much better rate. If you pick EUR, the ATM slaps on a terrible exchange rate and high markup. I learned the hard way and lost nearly 8% on one withdrawal.