gracejoan3

Just for those seeking places of obtaining their funds before leaving the US. I ALWAYS take my euros with me..do not use the ATM's. That is my way of doing it..everyone has there own way.I don't care about the small total differences in whatever fees, plus or minus, I just prefer the convenience, for me!
I decided to give Wells Fargo a try..the only drawback was that you could only spend US $2000. IF doing it online. So, I ordered online from them and the balance from my bank. Interesting that the total charge was exactly the same(less than $1 difference) for like amounts. Their service excellent. I ordered online on Monday (holiday), they called yesterdfay with some verification of order questions for security, sent the email with FedEx tracking number last night and the delivery will be about 3 this afternoon. You do have to be home for delivery. I ordered my bank euros last Friday and picked them up yesterday.

Travelnut

OK.... it's <i>your</i> money...spend it how you wish.

janis

Urgent note to new travelers: Follow garcejoan's advice at your own peril!

Even IF you want to pay more for the money, do you really want to carry thousands of &euro; in cash and risk losing everything??

nytraveler

Agreed - carrying all this cash around is asking for trouble. With credit cards you are protected from loss - and you can easily get walking around money in reasonable amounts from ATMs - all at much lower charges then gracejoan is paying.

If you have money to burn - and don;t mind losing the cash fine - but it's a very risky way to operate.

g33kgrl

I have to agree also--I would NEVER carry that much cash, in any currency, here in the US or abroad. As my mother would say: that's just tempting fate.

Decisions like this are why pickpockets target tourists.

suze

warning warning! that's her choice I guess if gracejoan wants to order euro ahead of time and pay more in fees and bad exchange rate, to each their own...

but I have to ask, how do you carry thousands of dollars with you on a trip? where do you carry so much cash? aren't you worried about losing it or having it stolen? do you keep the entire amount on your person at all times? i am very curious, as i just can't picture how this is a good idea. if something does go wrong, do you have a back-up to be able to get more money, since you don't use ATM's?

gracejoan3, please do tell us the rest of how you deal with your travel finances. inquiring minds want to know.

P_M

Would you care to share with us the exchange rate they gave you?

gracejoan3

I KNEW I would get the kind of responses that I got....I only offerred this information for those who often ask of places to obtain funds before leaving.
For the others, I have been doing this for over 20 years....I have NEVER had a problem of any kind. It is to each his own...just as, I have many friends who ONLY travel via Tour Operators and think I am odd doing it on my own...I tried a tour many years ago..definitely not for me..as for most on this website...enjoy

gracejoan3

The rate was 1.32....I carry an ATM card with me..have never used it..I never use it when at home, either. I usually go to AAA and get free travel checks, put those on AAA credit card, and deposit them upon return and pay the credit card statement...please note, that they are only should accident happen, or whatever, for that kind of emergency use only..I always have travel insurance for medical evacuation etc.....
I usually separate the funds..not all in one place...it works for me.....

mikemo

...do not use ATMs.
How quaint.
M

gracejoan3

mikemo,
quaint that I do not use ATM's? I don't have a need for them. I quit using cash some time ago...you don't receive any &quot;benefits&quot; for cash. I use credit cards at the grocery store, dining, gas and everything else! I either go for frequent flyer miles or freebie gas. You receive no benefits for cash! I can keep $50 cash in my purse for months!!! I will even receive free gas for the credit card that I used with Wells Fargo for my euros! Guess I need to deduct that from the cost of them. We all have our own way of doing things or places that we like to travel. I have many friends who wonder why I spend so much time in France!

janis

So you are happy to pay almost $.10 PER EURO more than you would using an ATM card?? I guess some people just have more money than sense. Sounds harsh - but this is just crazy.

janis

We were posting at the same time. So you use credit cards at home but cash in Europe. weird!

gracejoan3

janis,
Really, no point in being rude, just because you have a different opinion or way of doing things.
If you had read my initial message it was ONLY for those who were interested in places to obtain funds before travel. I purposely said it was NOT for discussion of rates, fees etc. which I was afraid would stir up..and it did....rudeness on this site or any other site is really so very unnecessary...it should be for the exchange of ideas and ways of doing things, whether you do or do not agree.

g33kgrl

Yes, this is interesting--you don't see any benefits to using cash at home, but you use it exclusively (and at a ridiculous exchange rate) abroad. What exactly is the benefit you see in this strategy?

tomboy

But, I guess we're all curious, why are you so adamant in your uneconomic ([1.32-1.22]/1.22 =9% conversion cost on $2000 =$180 out of pocket, wasted) line of thinking? If money means so little to you, would you send me some? I'll take $150 to start with. Better yet, send it to the Red Cross.

gracejoan3

I use credit cards in France. I said I don't use ATM's for cash. I will probably use a credit card for dining at Michelin starred restaurants, but not for samll dining places. Rental car is prepaid...I like it when that is the last place to pay, as I get rid of excess euros that way..not this trip.
This passing on of where to obtain funds has really gotten way off its purpose.......I hope someone may have benefited from my passing on the information........

Travelnut

Why wouldn't you want to earn all the benefits from using your credit card on your expenditures in Europe as well? Then you could use your cash to pay off the charges immediately....

Otherwise, you are spending $200-300 (+ WF delivery chg) over the cost of using an ATM. Even the 2-3% scandalous &quot;conversion&quot; fee is less expensive than what you're paying.

Anyway, it's nice to offer the information, but experienced travelers who've learned to do it better are going to jump on board with their advice, not so much to change your ways but to educate anyone with less experience. That's what a forum does.

gracejoan3

I did look at the difference in exchange rates....do you really get it for the 1.22 mentioned, or are there some added fees? I truly don't know.

Anyway, I am happy with my 2000 euros, and that is really all that matters, isn't it? I have read nightmares that people have written about fees charged for obtaining ATM cash, or their cards didn't work etc...so, it is not that cut and dried either. I have only thought, to myself, that I was glad that I did it my way! I didn't write and tell them that I thought they were crazy!

gracejoan3

Travelnut..
Don't know what goes on top of the 1.22 rate..probably something...anyway 1000 euros from Wells Fargo including their $8 delivery fee was $1328.40, or $108.40 more than the 1.22 rate....is the 1.22 rate the REAL rate you are charged??? If so, I am still very satisfied with paying the $108.40 for my euros, and not having to stop at ATM's etc...
I never have a credit card balance..I use them now for the freebies that they return..I used to use cash or write a check...now it is free gas or frequent flyer miles. I am very happy with my way....I am a very experienced traveler....I do not attempt to tell others what or how to do it...it is all your choice, as it should be!