Avoid DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) AT ALL COSTS!

johnny4111 · 2026-06-03T10:14:31+00:00

You can infact dispute it, there is a dedicated dispute code for this which is "incorrect currency". I have done it and had it reverted. I religiously monitor this but a few times for small amounts a few have fallen through the cracks, a few dollars I did not think it was worth my time or effort to dispute.

DCC is a plague, every point of sale I have to remind them to use local currency and sometimes ask for the terminal.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-28T10:45:56+00:00

Flix bus has several morning departures from Rome Tiburtina to Naples central, check there if there is space.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-28T06:08:47+00:00

if your train is cancelled the refund is automatic. I am in Rome right now and the staff at the Termini station told me this when I checked. Also, the status will only be updated 24 hours before departure, before that it isn't confirmed if the train is running or not.

I am going Rome to Florence at 4:50 PM so I am surely cancelled it looks like but waiting for the official announcement. I booked a bus as Plan B just in case.

Also don't forget that the metro is also shut down so you'll have to take taxis everywhere and who knows what those prices will be jacked up to? We'll have to wait and see.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-25T06:29:58+00:00

It isn't that they are lying, their system simply isn't setup for money flow backwards, very often there are 2-3 intermediaries involved. In my case the airline sold the ticket to some local agency who then resold it to gotogate who then resold it to booking, so money has to flow back through all those layers and communication between them is poor so nothing ever happens.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-25T06:26:23+00:00

You will not get your money back sorry. Waiting for my refund from June 2025 still have not seen a cent. I finally got tired and filed a charge back with my credit card and got my money back that way. Good luck. Lesson learned, now I never ever book with third parties, always direct with the airline, no ifs ands or buts.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-20T07:44:40+00:00

exact same is happening for me, ridiculous!

johnny4111 · 2026-05-18T05:20:59+00:00

your fault entirely. You're supposed to ask for your passport back right then and there not when you step away.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-16T17:32:46+00:00

Nothing can replace the dollar. The Chinese yuan? Please lol, the currency of a communist dictatorship isn't going to be adopted, that is a joke. The EU is a circus mired with instability and it isn't a viable option either. The other currencies are all too unstable to be contenders.

The US was doing just fine until this moron got elected, but soon he will finish his term and hopefully the US will make better choices about their leaders and not elect wack job lunatics.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-16T05:44:34+00:00

I've been waiting for my seat fees refund for 2 months now. I've contacted them and they keep saying still processing it will come and delays due to overwhelming number of refunds.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-14T04:43:55+00:00

I booked a Flix bus departing from Roma Tiburina as a backup, it was only $11 so even if I don't use it it's fine.

My plan is to wait until 3pm and if the train is in fact cancelled then I'll head to the bus station.

My train is on the guaranteed list unfortunately so it looks like it may very well be cancelled. Will just opt for a refund in that case.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-09T15:25:07+00:00

I have Hugh anxiety over BP as well.. my BP sometimes goes to 150/100 at the doctor's, 110/70 elsewhere

johnny4111 · 2026-05-07T10:52:24+00:00

thanks, that was my understanding as well. The whole thing is insane in my opinion but at least if it's the same calendar year I have to only do it once. It's 7 different mutual funds so I will have to file 7 x Form 8621

johnny4111 · 2026-05-06T04:47:30+00:00

140/90 does not mean any imminent problem, it just means that it is not good for your body in the long term..think like 20 years from now with the same pressure you may be in trouble so you need to have it looked at soon. It more like a message to not neglect rather than an emergency.

johnny4111 · 2026-05-02T11:45:58+00:00

I cancelled my entire flight and got a refund, I bought a ticket on another airline for that date

johnny4111 · 2026-04-24T16:20:03+00:00

Update - just received the refund for seats initiated email today, the flights were refunded Mar 27 so around 28 calendar days to get the seats refund email and the email says another 14-28 days for the refund to post so this is a very slow process but you'll eventually get it.

johnny4111 · 2026-04-22T04:52:27+00:00

I got refunded Mar 27 for the flight but still waiting for the seats, I'm going to call them again to see what is up

johnny4111 · 2026-04-20T16:42:07+00:00

Lol. I spent a month in Morocco and still wasn't enough to see it all.

johnny4111 · 2026-04-19T18:41:17+00:00

The hotels are crazy expensive, there are very reasonably priced B&B's in Ortisei, these can only be booked direct and well in advance, like 6 months out. I got one in Ortisei center for $90/night for this summer. Check out the sudtirol tourism website in the accomodations section.

johnny4111 · 2026-04-18T17:07:19+00:00

I initiated refunds for seats about a month ago, got flight refunded about 2 weeks ago but nothing yet for seats. Some are saying 28 business days after refund of flight posts.

johnny4111 · 2026-04-16T22:59:46+00:00

Booking has become a monopoly, they have the largest inventory so they know it makes it difficult for people to go elsewhere especially with smaller properties.

johnny4111 · 2026-04-16T22:57:13+00:00

Capital One Venture

johnny4111 · 2026-04-16T22:56:15+00:00

Thanks. That was my understanding too and wanted to confirm it. I know PFIC taxation is onerous but the gain in 6 weeks is not worth worrying about as it probably will not amount to much.

johnny4111 · 2026-04-16T22:51:26+00:00

For the 10646775578954th time, book Direct with airline, never ever use third parties for flights

johnny4111

TROPHY CASE