Currently in Egypt and they just asked us to pay in USD cash for an added activity but, not being American, we don’t have USD. We have the local currency and the ability to get that out at ATMs, but no way to access foreign currency. So annoying but they accepted local in the end.
I think you were being scammed.
No, it’s fairly common in many countries. Foreign currencies (namely USD and EUR) are a lot more stable and people prefer that. USD was the unofficial main currency for any large purchases (like a car or a house) in the Soviet union and for several years after its collapse.
In addition to the stability, they might also be trying to avoid paying currency conversion fees themselves. They are going to export the profits in dollars, and they’d rather you pay the 2% conversion tax than them having to do it.
Same exact thing happened to me last night. It was $65 USD, and was told it was an international company and they wanted the amount in USD. They complained when i tried to pay it in EGP but it was either take my EGP, this is an extra activity i am happy to pass up otherwise.
Welcome to Egypt. You were being scammed and people will often try to do that to you. Research local prices before buying anything
How does this scam work? Is it based on the assumption that tourist won’t know the exchange rate and can be easily (and presumably grossly) overcharged?
If you’re in Cairo, go to the American Express office inside the Nile Hilton. You’ll be able to get USD there.