Cash or Card? Countries where you still need cash.

[SYD]

None of the ATMs mentioned anything about DCC at the withdrawal stage; they all did state there was a 13.5% commission. None of them indicated there was a way to avoid it. It was only on the receipt that DCC was shown.

It was only because I had abandoned +1 in the restaurant for more than half an hour while I searched for a fee-free ATM that I reluctantly accepted the withdrawal.

From now on I'll ask if they accept cards before sitting down (forgot on this occasion), and if the line goes down when it's time to pay I'll tell them they can phone me when it's working and I'll come back.

Yes, it pays to ask about accepting CCs in Portugal. It’s surprisingly common and annoying that some more authentic places don’t.

However, do look closely at the ATM, as above there will be some option or button to bypass DCC. If not, press Decline and move on.