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International
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- Reminder: New entry requirements for Japan take effect
- Dynamic currency conversion stings international travelers
Reminder: New entry requirements for Japan take effect
As previously reported in CWT Traveler, the Japanese government will begin requiring all foreign visitors to be fingerprinted, photographed, and interviewed by immigration officials at Japanese airport customs offices before gaining access into the country. The new requirements will take effect November 20, 2007.
The full article from the September issue of CWT Traveler can be found at the following link: http://www.carlsonwagonlit.com/en/countries/us/cwttraveler/2007_09/international/index.html.
Source: Immigration Bureau of Japan
Dynamic currency conversion stings international travelers
More and more international travelers are being exposed to a common practice called dynamic currency conversion. This currency conversion service is becoming prevalent in many popular international destinations and is often offered in shops, restaurants, rental-car companies and hotels that cater to international visitors.
When making a purchase in a foreign country, the clerk may offer to convert the purchase to the traveler’s home currency rather than the local currency. Accepting this offer can mean that the traveler will be subject to higher exchange rates and/or service fees compared to those charged by the credit card companies.
However, some merchants are not even asking the question. Therefore, travelers are advised to check any slip or bill before signing or entering their PIN. If the charge was converted to the traveler’s home currency without the traveler’s consent, the traveler should request that the charge be voided and rerun in the local currency.
Corporate travelers are advised to check their company travel and expense policy regarding credit card usage and follow those guidelines. In the absence of a corporate travel policy, travelers should avoid attempts by foreign merchants to convert purchases to dollars on the spot. These conversion fees can be up to 7 percent more than those charged by the credit card issuer.
And finally, this service is offered to merchants by technology providers through the merchants' banks. It happens at the point of sale, so neither credit card companies nor the banks that issue the cards have anything to do with it. Therefore, travelers cannot dispute these high service fees and/or exchange rates upon their return to their home country.
Source: The Seattle Times
