Buying Euros in the US
#3
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Consider your local American Express office. I wouldn't recommend purchasing more than "about one day's income" before you get to Europe. It's going to cost you about 5% more than if you wait, but convenience and peace of mind is worth something to lots of people.
Best wishes,
Rex
Best wishes,
Rex
#5
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Out of interest, I checked the exchange booth at Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta last week. The cashier was selling euro notes for $1.00 per euro. The wholesale rate that day was about 90 cents US for 1 euro. That is a markup of about 10%.
I usually wait, or get at most the minimum that the bank will sell me. !!
I usually wait, or get at most the minimum that the bank will sell me. !!
#8
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I recently checked 2 different brokers here in Houston -- American Express and Thomas Cook (Travelex) -- as well as www.oanda.com and my local Chase bank. Oanda and my local bank had the best rates. My local bank was able to have the amount of Euros I wanted delivered to my branch bank by the next business day for me to pick up. There was only $2.00 difference if I had gone with Oanda. They could deliver the money to me within 2 business days.
#13
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Dear unknown one, I purchased my Euro several weeks ago, so the rate is of little consequence today. My point is that there was quite a bit of difference in the rates from the brokers, but not much difference between my bank and buying thru Oanda online. And, I believe the purchase was for $200 dollars because that is the minimum for Oanda.
#14
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Since no independent person can get euros "at cost", 5-7% over bank rate is not that expensive. YOu can't get them for less than about 1-2% over bank rate at minimum and many people pay more than that when using an ATM due to the ATM fees (which range from about 2-5% of the amount if you get $100). Since many people like to have about equivalent of USD100 upon arrival -- gosh, that's an excess expenditure of about $2-4 !!!!!! over using an ATM. Such an expensive proposition, better cancel the trip for another year. xxx is a good description of your thinking.