where to buy dollars
#2
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
An airport ATM on arrival in NZ - just check with your bank to make sure there'll be no problems with your debit card. Or the airport bureau de change. If you want to stock up before departure from the UK (no need, though) you could change money at a bank or American Express office, but the fees and/or exchange rate may not be as good.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
could the reply of changing money at the airport atm really be the best bet?
I don't recall getting the best rate at any airport ever. ...even if I am only using the atm. Is it different in NZ.
Have friend leaving on Sunday. Just a kid. I would like to tell him where to get the best rate in Auckland. He will land with some money but living there for 3 months. Any ideas?
I don't recall getting the best rate at any airport ever. ...even if I am only using the atm. Is it different in NZ.
Have friend leaving on Sunday. Just a kid. I would like to tell him where to get the best rate in Auckland. He will land with some money but living there for 3 months. Any ideas?
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sarah, bank ATM networks run off a central mainframe, and it never occurred to me that they'd be running discriminatory exchange rates on an ATM-by-ATM basis. Technically no doubt it could be done, but it just seems too clever by half. If I'm being naive I hope someone will correct me.
Second thought: is it in fact the foreign (in this case NZ) bank that determines the exchange rate you're charged, or your own bank back home?
Second thought: is it in fact the foreign (in this case NZ) bank that determines the exchange rate you're charged, or your own bank back home?
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Before you leave home, check with your bank to see if they are affliated with another bank in New Zealand. If so, you should be able to use their ATMs with no charge.
Use the ATM at the airport to get enough to get you started.
Just been to NZ and that is what we did with a minimum of fuss and charges.
Use the ATM at the airport to get enough to get you started.
Just been to NZ and that is what we did with a minimum of fuss and charges.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know where the best place to exchange; however, I will share this...because I just went through this today.
We decided to exchange some US$ for NZ$ here in the states before we left. I called a dozen banks here in Chicago. Several did not have NZ$. Of those that did, the exchange rate varied from $0.82 to $0.89. We obviously picked the best rate. Don't think I would get to research this to the same degreee once there (I wouldn't want to!).
Having said that, we only exchanged about 75% of what we expect to spend while there, so we undoubtably need to use the ATM.
The disadvantage I see with the ATM is that there is likely a service fee and since you are typically limited in the amount of withdrawels, we we would need to pay this several times. Not a big deal, but could add up. No additional fee for exchanging at the bank we used today.
Just my two cents.
We decided to exchange some US$ for NZ$ here in the states before we left. I called a dozen banks here in Chicago. Several did not have NZ$. Of those that did, the exchange rate varied from $0.82 to $0.89. We obviously picked the best rate. Don't think I would get to research this to the same degreee once there (I wouldn't want to!).
Having said that, we only exchanged about 75% of what we expect to spend while there, so we undoubtably need to use the ATM.
The disadvantage I see with the ATM is that there is likely a service fee and since you are typically limited in the amount of withdrawels, we we would need to pay this several times. Not a big deal, but could add up. No additional fee for exchanging at the bank we used today.
Just my two cents.
#11
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Marg has given the best answer here, ask if your bank is affiliated with one here, for example one of mine is affiliated with BNP Paribas, and I don't get charged the high fees if I use their ATM machine when in France etc. I usually exchange some foreign currency at one of the small foreign exchange shops downtown, their rates are always good and they don't charge a commission. If you are flying into Auckland there's an ATM as you turn sharp left coming out of the customs area into the main hall.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mishaa
Australia & the Pacific
8
Feb 28th, 2017 11:37 AM