money exchange

Old Jul 6th, 2013, 12:52 PM
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money exchange

A good tip to exchange dollars to euros arriving to Dusseldorf, Germany?
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 12:56 PM
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Don't exchange, use an ATM to get euros. Do a search here on ATM, there are many, many threads on the subject.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 01:13 PM
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I just did a google search asking the question "Where can I exchange currency in Dusseldorf?" and it directed me to a web site with a map showing locations. The airport was mentioned, as were hotels. But having exchanged currency many times in the past, I do know that hotels are the worst place to exchange. You'll get the poorest rates there.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 03:06 PM
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>>I just did a google search asking the question "Where can I exchange currency in Dusseldorf?
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 03:24 PM
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I agree with the ATM suggestion. I wouldn't exchange currency at all. You'll get a bad exchange. There are numerous ATM's in most airports.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 03:47 PM
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You don't "exchange" money. You take it out of ATM machines, and try to make sure that you are banking with a credit union or bank that charges you neither a currency conversion fee nor a fee for a withdrawal - otherwise you are just funding your bank.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 04:48 PM
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Yes yes yes, ATM cards are God's gift to travel, in most situations. Not all.... I get that. The OP asked about exchanging, and I was merely trying to help in getting an answer that question, nothing more, nothing less.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 04:59 PM
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Since the OP is a new poster, she may not know any better.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 05:36 PM
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That's true. She/he is also perhaps already on her way to/or in Paris, if I understand some other thread(s) here today.

There really are circumstances where one needs to exchange rather than/along with using an ATM card. I'm not going into it here, but I travel to Europe and Asia many times per year, and I am always prepared to exchange, as well as having notified my banks that I may use my ATM cards. It is done everyday and on every street corner in places like Bangkok.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 05:51 PM
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Big difference etween Asia and Europe.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 06:34 PM
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That's very true. Big differences. The banking machines in Asia are ahead of USA by at least a year, btw, in certain specific functions that one can do on a machine. I was really surprised!
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 06:44 PM
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I know nothing about the original poster's age and travel experience - but I think older travelers who aren't savvy with ATM cards may still prefer to exchange cash when traveling overseas.

I have been talking to a friend's senior father who is going to Europe next week. He's traveled there many times over the years but not as much recently. I explained to him that these days, using an ATM card is the preferred, cheapest way to get Euros once he gets over there. He said he understood - but is still worried about where to exchange US dollars and wants to buy Euros before he even gets over there. I think he rarely uses his ATM card even in the US and is more likely to get cash from his bank teller. Sometimes, old habits die hard.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 07:04 PM
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>>Sometimes, old habits die hard.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 08:16 PM
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At least we're not talking about Travelers' Checks!
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 08:32 PM
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One caveat for all inexperienced travelers: contact your bank snd credit card companies to let them know when you'll be out of the country, as well as what countries you will be visiting.

Sounds dumb but a lot of travelers don't know that.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 08:39 PM
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I take $200 to Europe that is for emergency use only, which I have never had to use. I use the foreign currency that I get from the ATM machines in Europe and also use my Capital One credit card which has no international fee.
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Old Jul 6th, 2013, 08:41 PM
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American Express for one says they don't need to be notified when you travel out of the country: they now think they are smart enough to figure out when your overseas charges are legit. When I called them to notify them of my coming trip, that's what they told me (I didn't use my Amex card over in Europe anyway - had it for an emergency). Perhaps in a few years we will no longer need to notify any of our banks or credit unions about our travel plans.
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Old Jul 7th, 2013, 12:22 AM
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If I were going to be nearby at your time of arrival, I would arrange to meet you somewhere in Dusseldorf Airport and exchange your US$ for euros. I would give you a better rate than any exchange bureau, and I would still rob you blind!
Use an ATM: Your wallet will thank you.
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