I'm sure some/many know this already, but I couldn't find it mentioned in a search here (although there was some other mention on internet). Having just got stung myself I thought I'd post it in case others might benefit.
When renting a car through Avis overseas, they have a tiny clause at the end of their contract that they automatically convert the payment to your residence's home currency, of course with a commission included in their favour. I only discovered this when I was given a printout on return which had an incomplete, misleading statement at the bottom stating "~I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO USE THE MASTERCARD CURRENCY CONVERSION PROCESS, ACKNOWLEDGING I HAVE A CHOICE TO PAY IN USD. MY CHOICE IS FINAL. I AGREE I"
Given I hadn't made and was not offered a choice, and then telling me that my "choice" was final was more offensive than the fact they did this conversion. As I was off the premises when I read that though, I didn't have any means to even dispute the claims.
Anyway, just something to keep in mind when you rent from Avis outside Australia, if you prefer your credit card handles the conversion.
When renting a car through Avis overseas, they have a tiny clause at the end of their contract that they automatically convert the payment to your residence's home currency, of course with a commission included in their favour. I only discovered this when I was given a printout on return which had an incomplete, misleading statement at the bottom stating "~I HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO USE THE MASTERCARD CURRENCY CONVERSION PROCESS, ACKNOWLEDGING I HAVE A CHOICE TO PAY IN USD. MY CHOICE IS FINAL. I AGREE I"
Given I hadn't made and was not offered a choice, and then telling me that my "choice" was final was more offensive than the fact they did this conversion. As I was off the premises when I read that though, I didn't have any means to even dispute the claims.
Anyway, just something to keep in mind when you rent from Avis outside Australia, if you prefer your credit card handles the conversion.
