When using your card abroad, whether at an ATM or directly with a retailer, your withdrawal or spend amount may be presented in sterling, as well as the local currency (e.g. euros or dollars). If this happens, always opt to withdraw or spend in the local currency. So for example, if you are in Spain, choose euros, in the United States select dollars or in Thailand work in baht.
When an ATM or retailer offers you the option to pay in sterling, they are using something known as dynamic currency conversion or DCC. By using DCC, the provider is able to use its own exchange rate to convert the amount of local currency you wish to withdraw into sterling. The screen you see will vary from one ATM or retailer to another, but typically you will be shown a sterling amount for your withdrawal or payment and be asked if you would like to “continue with conversion”, “accept conversion”, “charge my account in GBP”, “withdraw in GBP” or “ withdraw in sterling”.
In almost all cases, choosing any of these options will be unfavourable and will cost you money, especially if you have already loaded the local currency onto a prepaid currency card such as the Post Office Travel Money Card.
You may come across DCC in many countries around the world, but be particularly careful if you are using ATMs in either Spain, Greece, Portugal, Croatia or Thailand. So remember, if you’re using an ATM or spending on your card abroad, always choose to withdraw or spend in the local currency.
Wherever you're going, pick up your holiday money from Post Office with 0% commission and competitive exchange rates.
One prepaid Mastercard® that stores up to 22 currencies and can be managed on the go with our travel app.
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Post Office Travel Money Card is an electronic money product issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd pursuant to license by Mastercard International. First Rate Exchange Services Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with number 4287490 whose registered office is Botanica Ditton Park, Riding Ct Rd, Datchet, SL3 9LL (Financial Services Register No. 900412). Mastercard and the circles design are registered trademarks of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Travel Money Online is the provision of foreign currency which is provided by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd. First Rate Exchange Services Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales with number 4287490 whose registered office is Botanica Ditton Park, Riding Ct Rd, Datchet, SL3 9LL (Money Services Business licence No. MLR-64068).