USA DOLLARS TO EUROS?
Apr 14th, 2014, 06:16 AM
#5
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Friends just got $200 worth of euros from their U.S. bank. The exchange was $1.44 for one euro, so they got 138 euros and they paid a $12 service charge for a total of $212.
Since the rate at ATM's in Europe is about $1.38, that same $200 would have brought them 144 euros. In toto, the would have obtained 147 euros for their $212.
Multiply that by 10, and you'd be talking some real money.
My bank charges $5.00 for a withdrawal in Europe, so I withdraw $500 worth of euros at a time.(I had to call my bank to raise my daily withdrawal limit.)
My credit card doesn't charge anything when I use it abroad, so it's cheaper to use it as much as possible, plus I get miles for using it.
Tom's right. Call your bank and credit card company to let them know where you'll be and how long you'll be gone.
Since the rate at ATM's in Europe is about $1.38, that same $200 would have brought them 144 euros. In toto, the would have obtained 147 euros for their $212.
Multiply that by 10, and you'd be talking some real money.
My bank charges $5.00 for a withdrawal in Europe, so I withdraw $500 worth of euros at a time.(I had to call my bank to raise my daily withdrawal limit.)
My credit card doesn't charge anything when I use it abroad, so it's cheaper to use it as much as possible, plus I get miles for using it.
Tom's right. Call your bank and credit card company to let them know where you'll be and how long you'll be gone.
Apr 14th, 2014, 07:05 AM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,561
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<Do NOT exchange dollars for euros anywhere. Use ATMs in Spain to withdraw cash using your debit card.>>
That is the correct answer.
And if you have enough time, get a bank account that won't charge you a foreign exchange conversion fee (credit unions, Cap One) for withdrawals.
P.S. - thinking Tom Fuller missed a word - let the bank KNOW you'll be abroad.
That is the correct answer.
And if you have enough time, get a bank account that won't charge you a foreign exchange conversion fee (credit unions, Cap One) for withdrawals.
P.S. - thinking Tom Fuller missed a word - let the bank KNOW you'll be abroad.
Apr 14th, 2014, 07:41 AM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 401
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Used to exchange money before my trips, but the last 3 times I've just taken money out either at the airport or the train station ATMs and have found it to be a better rate and just as convenient.
If you are just traveling to countries that use the Euro it's simple enough, but on my last trip I had to deal with 3 currencies (EUR, DKK and SEK)... it got to be a bit of a guessing game at the end as to how much I'd need for x number of games, as I hate to take out too much and be stuck with it if I know it's a country I won't visit again.
If you are just traveling to countries that use the Euro it's simple enough, but on my last trip I had to deal with 3 currencies (EUR, DKK and SEK)... it got to be a bit of a guessing game at the end as to how much I'd need for x number of games, as I hate to take out too much and be stuck with it if I know it's a country I won't visit again.
Apr 14th, 2014, 11:08 AM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,959
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I usually get a small amount of cash from my bank when I travel to a non-euro country, just enough to get me to my hotel. I don't like using ATMs at airports or train stations when I'm tired and also trying to keep an eye on my luggage. Once I drop off the bags, I go out and make a withdrawal at an ATM that's outside an open bank.
Apr 14th, 2014, 11:52 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 11,770
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am the same as bvlenci.
Check to see if your domestic bank is related to a European bank (which might mean fewer/no fees). Last time in Paris, I was able to locate and confirm the existence of my bank's sister bank's ATMs near my hotel via Google Earth. When I arrived, visiting them was was more like dejavu (sp?) rather than an adventure.
Check to see if your domestic bank is related to a European bank (which might mean fewer/no fees). Last time in Paris, I was able to locate and confirm the existence of my bank's sister bank's ATMs near my hotel via Google Earth. When I arrived, visiting them was was more like dejavu (sp?) rather than an adventure.
