We are going to Paris early Sept. Would I be wise to purchase euros in the USA at the bank now or wait until summer? In other words, would I get more for my money now or later?

First of all, Betty, no one knows for sure. It can only be a guess.<BR>Second, since you should only obtain enough to get you started in Paris (since you'll get fewer Euros in exchange here than in Paris), it won't make that much difference!

Howard, should I go to a bank in Paris or just use the ATM machine. I work at a bank, so I would not have a ATM charge with my bank, so would it make a difference? Do I punch in the amount of euros and the USA dollar amount comes out of my bank account? Is that how it works?

Yep! Enter the amount in Euros and your bank with withdraw the proper amount in dollars from your bank account. <BR>I hit the atm machine at the airport upon arrival. After my arrival to Rome a couple of weeks ago and seeing all the ATM's were down, I would certainly take 100 Euros along to get me to the hotel. Get those through your bank or exchange money at the airport at departure.<BR>Have fun, Betty!

Thanks traveling girl! I can't wait to go to London and Paris this summer!! I have really enjoyed this web site - have learned a lot!!

You can go to any ATM machine in Paris. You'll have no problem since 99% of them have an English-language option.<BR>By the way, it's not the ATM charge but the different exchange rate here and over there that makes the difference!

Hi Betty. My experience with ATMs in Paris is just like those described above. You may rest your concerns.<BR><BR>One thing you will learn quickly about exchanging money is that the fee you are paying is never tacked on as a line item surcharge on your receipt. For example, I read in these various postings that someone gets euro denominated travelers checks for free.<BR>I doubt it. Most of the places, like AAA, that sell euro checks build a 2% charge into the exchange rate itself. If you don't know the bank wholesale rate for that day, you really don't see the charge because it is hidden.<BR>Some of the credit card issuers have adopted a sneaky tactic of adjusting your credit transactions 2%. This extra charge is referred to as a conversion fee, like it takes $10 worth of computer time to bill you $500.<BR>Before you use your credit card, I suggest asking your bank if there is a conversion fee for non US dollar purchases. <BR><BR>Also, you might want to ask if the bank charges for using the ATM card overseas. I have a Bank of America debit (check) card and a standard ATM card. After the second withdrawal, I pay $1.50 each time I use it. <BR><BR>I recently got a new credit card from AAA because there is no 2% conversion fee tacked on.<BR><BR>Visa and Master Charge have always adjusted the exchange rate so that you paid either of them 1% of each charge.<BR><BR>But, I never objected because the 1% is based on the wholesale rate of exchange which is not normally available to the little exchanger. If you exchange currency, or US dollar denominated travelers checks at a bank, you will pay considerably more in exchange fees than 1%. The most expensive place to go is usually an exchange bureau, particularly those associated with hotels. <BR><BR>I find that by using my credit card as much as possible, I can carry less currency in my pockets, and toward the end of the trip I usually leave with fewer coins or less candy and semi useless items that I buy at the airport.<BR>Of course with the euro now legal tender in most of wastern Europe, I will not worry so much because if I happen to bring home $10 worth, I can either use it next time or give it to a friend.<BR>I know on this next trip we are going to Paris, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Finaland, and back to Germany.<BR>I will not worry about how many euros I have on me until I get back to Germany.<BR>My chief concern will be Swiss francs.<BR>I don't like to carry a pocket full of coins out because they cannot be converted elsewhere. They either become ballast, souveniers, or something saved for the next trip.<BR>

Buying foreign currency "here" in your home country inevitably means paying someone to haul that currency over here to you. "We" don't print any of "their" money over "here", you realize. Conversely, buying foreign currency over there with your own currency (foreign to them) means that they have to pay someone to haul it back over here, in exchange for goods or services.<BR><BR>In general, you get the best sale price buying there what they print there.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

When I flew back from Paris on American Airlines, the crew distributed envelopes to donate the spare change in foreign currencies to UNICEF.