I have found that the easiest way to receive foreign currency prior to leaving the USA is off of an American Express card. There is no charge for this service and it arrives in a couple of days (via mail) from the time you order. 1-800-451-7774

Several months before my planned trip to Germany, I went to the Potomac Mills Shopping Complex, south of Washington D.C. Just by chance, we saw a money exchange stand there, and I was able to purchase $300 worth of DM (I had to go to an ATM and get cash; I think they handled cash transactions only, but the fee was reasonable.) A nice discovery!

We are lucky enough to live fairly close to a Thomas Cook,(near L.A.) going there to exchange American Dollars for foreign currency has become sort of a special part of the trip process for us. Once we have those Lire/Francs/Pounds/Punts in our hot little hands (more correctly, our nice little money belts), we know we are about to go on vacation.

In the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, the Harris Bank in South Barrington has some of the more common foreign currency on hand for sale. I was able to walk in & get $300 worth of British pounds on the spot.

You can call Thomas Cook at 1-800-currency and have it delivered.

I was able to get British Pounds at the American Express office in downtown Tampa. Nominal fee and larger amounts are available; good exchange rate.

Be careful with Thomas Cook. When I recently bought FF in the US, their rate was BY FAR the worse I found. It was almost laughable. <BR> <BR>Suppose it doesn't matter too much if you're just getting $50 worth though.

<BR>Russell, <BR> <BR>Tampa International Airport has a currency exchange as well. Not sure how good the exchange rates are, but it's there.

Call your bank. I was amazed to find out I could walk in to the downtown branch of our bank and pick up Irish pounds!

I second Galen's suggestion. Most major banks have a foreign currency desk in their main branch. They regularly have on hand British pounds, Mexican pesos and other common currencies. In addition, you can advance order the less common currencies such as Italian lire, Spanish pesos and Egyptian pounds = usually a week in advance of pick up. I have always found the rate to be very competitive.

I walked into my local branch and ordered Irish Punts, French Francs and British Pounds to be delivered in 5 to 7 business days for a $3 fee. I only got enough to get me started and then plan to use my ATM for cash and CC for purchases. Having a little of the currency on hand before I leave just makes me feel a little more secure. Now if I want a sandwich or a cup of coffee during my layover at Heathrow I am all set!!!!

Why get money ahead of time? I hit the ATM machine in arrival airport. Easy, good rates.

Reasons not to wait 'til you get to European airport ATM to get cash: 1. alert and watchful pickpockets near ATM machines, 2. rates are sometimes the worst in the city, 3. you may be diverted to another airport for some reason. <BR> <BR>Reason to be wary about getting foreign currencies from your local bank: mine charges me a very stiff fee ($5. to $10.) on top of whatever the exchange rate THEY choose to claim is -- only pays to exchange larger amounts (more than $500.), which I would rather not carry with me.

After hearing from several sources that it was a good idea to arrive with some Irish money in hand (also, the B&B we're staying at our first night requested to be paid in Irish punts) I ordered $500 worth of Irish dollars. The bank said there was a $7 dollar fee which I figured was approx. equivalent of a Travellers Checks fee. To my surprise, they converted the money based on a 1.339 exchange rate. Several websites and a majopr city newspaper list 1.219 as the current rate. The money was in a heat sealed envelope and I didn't open it on the spot. I guess I'll go fight with my bank in the morning! The exchange company they used by the way was Thomas Cooke. Any comments,opinions?

Anytime you purchase foreign currency at home, you have to pay up for the service. It's almost always better to exchange at the airport you arrive at, no matter how bad the rate.

The best and cheapest (no cost) way I <BR>know of is to present an airport ID <BR>badge at a major international <BR>airport's anchor bank. I live in <BR>San Francisco and as my company is <BR>a service vendor at SFO I have an ID. <BR>Whenever I need foreign currency then <BR>I just pop over to Bank of America in <BR>the international terminal, present the <BR>ID and make a request. The service/ <BR>handling charge is waived and if the <BR>currency requested isn't on hand they <BR>order it and have it within 7 days. <BR>Being a major finacial institution they <BR>update the exchange rate about three <BR>times daily - and they get the <BR>primo-rate. Never displeased. Of course <BR>not everyone has such availability, <BR>but do you know any airline/airport <BR>employees? (As stated, this is my <BR>experience - other banks/states may <BR>have different policies). <BR>

I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. Of course you can get money many ways from many sources <BR>as a convenience. But, check the rate <BR>not the small fee. I assure you you are <BR>losing 5 to 8% on the transaction. That <BR>is too much for me--ATM-ATM-ATM.

The rates in the paper or on a website are quoted for currencies being traded between banks -- converting millions of dollars. The rates available for the man on the street will never be that good. You'll get closer to the published rates using a credit card, so try to use paper money only when you have to. Recently bought Punt and Pounds through Bank of America. Rates were "OK", about the same as I saw at exchange places once we got there.

I exchanged a small amount of money to French Francs before I went to Paris. BofA told me there was a branch at SFO airport. <BR> <BR>They had the best rates and no fee charged since I had an account. I was wishing the rest of the time in Paris that I had exchaged all my money there.

Try AAA, if you're a member. <BR> <BR>Also, some credit card companies are starting to charge a fee for foreign transactions. I guess they found another way to make money off of us. <BR> <BR>I've found ATMs to be the cheapest and safest means.