Need a few Euros before I leave. Where do I go?
Sep 25th, 2004, 10:16 AM
#21
Agree with PLMN on the timing thing. we also used limoservicerome last summer and the guy is waiting with a sign right after you claim your bags. After 14 hours and two airplane rides, I'm not about to say to our driver, hey can you wait 10 minutes so I can look around the airport for an atm machine. Even assuming he could understand what I'm saying. I guess it's okay if one is anxious to check out the airport.
Sep 25th, 2004, 10:29 AM
#22
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Surfergirl,
I have a question for you. Andrea from Limoservicerome.com said the driver waits outside the customs area doors. How does this jive with where you say the driver was waiting?
Also, my plane gets in earlier than my folks and I planned to meet the driver, and then driver and I would meet my mother and father with the sign outside the customs hall doors. Correct?
I have a question for you. Andrea from Limoservicerome.com said the driver waits outside the customs area doors. How does this jive with where you say the driver was waiting?
Also, my plane gets in earlier than my folks and I planned to meet the driver, and then driver and I would meet my mother and father with the sign outside the customs hall doors. Correct?
Sep 25th, 2004, 12:35 PM
#24
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People tend to get emotion over this question every time it is asked.
Some people want to get Euros before they leave and I am one of them. I either ask my bank to order some for me and I pick them up or I go to an American Express.
Why would it be time wasted in the US but not time wasted after your arrival in Europe?
Some people want to get Euros before they leave and I am one of them. I either ask my bank to order some for me and I pick them up or I go to an American Express.
Why would it be time wasted in the US but not time wasted after your arrival in Europe?
Sep 25th, 2004, 12:46 PM
#25
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Every situation is different, but here's why it's a waste of time for me: In order to streamline their processes, my bank no longer keeps foreign currency in stock. Therefore I have to go to the bank on my lunch hour, stand in line, and place my order for currency. Then 2 days later I have to go back to the bank on my lunch hour, stand in line, and pick up my currency.
When I arrive at the airport in Europe, I go straight to the ATM and spend about one minute getting my currency. This has never happened to me, but if the ATM were down, I would most likely use my credit card to buy my train ticket into town and use an ATM there. If this were not possible, I would use the exchange counter at the airport as a last resort. In any of these scenarios, it would take a lot less time than ordering currency from my bank.
When I arrive at the airport in Europe, I go straight to the ATM and spend about one minute getting my currency. This has never happened to me, but if the ATM were down, I would most likely use my credit card to buy my train ticket into town and use an ATM there. If this were not possible, I would use the exchange counter at the airport as a last resort. In any of these scenarios, it would take a lot less time than ordering currency from my bank.
Sep 25th, 2004, 01:51 PM
#27
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I'm one of those who feels that you don't have to get local currency until you arrive.
This is based, in part, on my son's going to Finland a few years ago. He felt he would be comfortable having some local currency when he arrived, so I contacted our local banks, and none of them handled foreign currency any more, but they said if you have an account, we have a deal with AE. Since my own bank didn't offer this deal, I went on line and found one of the services that will ship you foreign currency. They imposed an exchange rate that was shockingly in their favor, and charged on top of their fees, a delivery fee that was quite high. To top it off, someone had to be home when the delivery service arrived to sign for the package.
I was never a fan of currency exchange services, whether they are at an airport or in some storefront, as their exchange rates are always very profitable, for them.
I was so glad when the ATM came along, as it offers the best exchange rate with the ultimate in convenience. I am trying to think of an airport where I haven't walked right by an ATM on my way to wherever I was going, and I can't think of any. If I had a driver waiting for me, and I hadn't found an ATM between the jetramp and the driver, I would just ask him where to find an ATM; I'll guarantee he will know.
I really don't care if some people feel that they just have to have some foreign currency before starting their trip, but I think they should be advised that they are paying dearly for that small comfort.
In fact, I have a few euro in my safe left from my last trip, and I will be very willing to let them go for $5US, each, plus delivery fees.
This is based, in part, on my son's going to Finland a few years ago. He felt he would be comfortable having some local currency when he arrived, so I contacted our local banks, and none of them handled foreign currency any more, but they said if you have an account, we have a deal with AE. Since my own bank didn't offer this deal, I went on line and found one of the services that will ship you foreign currency. They imposed an exchange rate that was shockingly in their favor, and charged on top of their fees, a delivery fee that was quite high. To top it off, someone had to be home when the delivery service arrived to sign for the package.
I was never a fan of currency exchange services, whether they are at an airport or in some storefront, as their exchange rates are always very profitable, for them.
I was so glad when the ATM came along, as it offers the best exchange rate with the ultimate in convenience. I am trying to think of an airport where I haven't walked right by an ATM on my way to wherever I was going, and I can't think of any. If I had a driver waiting for me, and I hadn't found an ATM between the jetramp and the driver, I would just ask him where to find an ATM; I'll guarantee he will know.
I really don't care if some people feel that they just have to have some foreign currency before starting their trip, but I think they should be advised that they are paying dearly for that small comfort.
In fact, I have a few euro in my safe left from my last trip, and I will be very willing to let them go for $5US, each, plus delivery fees.
Sep 25th, 2004, 02:21 PM
#28
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I went to Paris/London for the first time in February and I was by myself. I had gotten a small amount of Euros from unionplanters.com before I left. Yes, I paid a service fee, but since I had been up all night without any sleep, was in a strange country and didn't speak the language, I was more than happy to have my Euros with me because I was able to buy something to drink and eat from the gift shop since I was hungry. CDG's American terminal was packed, lines for the ATM and exchange window were out the door. I'm going back and since I'm comfortable with being there I will do somethings differently. I don't think there's anything wrong with going to a foreign country and being prepared. I planned my whole trip myself, nothing went wrong and had a great time. I certainly don't prepare in detail for travelling in the US, but I can't imagine anything worse than arriving with no sleep in a foreign country alone, and being without cash or not knowing what you're doing.
Sep 25th, 2004, 02:27 PM
#29
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I now bring home euro from my vacation, to have in hand for my next vacation. Before this plan, I ordered from Bk of America. This worked for me because there is a branch across the street from my office. I ordered online - no delivery charge - and the markup was about 5%. I considered this an acceptable one-time expense, as I used atms the remainder of the trip, or a credit card for major expenditures (paid immediately upon returning home).
I walked across the street to pick up the order, took about 15 minutes total. (didn't go for the delivery option, due to the signature requirement).
I walked across the street to pick up the order, took about 15 minutes total. (didn't go for the delivery option, due to the signature requirement).
Sep 25th, 2004, 02:31 PM
#30
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"I really don't care if some people feel that they just have to have some foreign currency before starting their trip, but I think they should be advised that they are paying dearly for that small comfort."
I think it cost me about 20 bucks to get a few hundred euro from Wells Fargo. Service was free, no delivery charge cuz I picked it up myself, the cost was that the rate was slightly higher than an ATM at the airport. That's hardly paying dearly
It's not that expensive. I was happy to have euro in my pocket when I got there. You get to the airport, I had 2 kids along, you need to find the bathroom, go through customs, get your baggage, find your driver, frankly I was happy not to have to find an ATM on top of everything else.
I simply do not understand why people get so offended that some people want $ in their pocket. IT's not that expensive and even if it was so what? I think paying $500 for a meal is outlandish but I'm not going to tongue lash anyone who wants to spend their hard earned $ that way.
So this thread is like someone saying "Where can I get a good chicken dinner?" and a bunch of people saying "You fool! Eat steak!"
Be careful about buying euro online - if you use a credit card, that's considered a cash advance, not purchase and you may pay a higher interest rate.
Joelle
I think it cost me about 20 bucks to get a few hundred euro from Wells Fargo. Service was free, no delivery charge cuz I picked it up myself, the cost was that the rate was slightly higher than an ATM at the airport. That's hardly paying dearly
It's not that expensive. I was happy to have euro in my pocket when I got there. You get to the airport, I had 2 kids along, you need to find the bathroom, go through customs, get your baggage, find your driver, frankly I was happy not to have to find an ATM on top of everything else.
I simply do not understand why people get so offended that some people want $ in their pocket. IT's not that expensive and even if it was so what? I think paying $500 for a meal is outlandish but I'm not going to tongue lash anyone who wants to spend their hard earned $ that way.
So this thread is like someone saying "Where can I get a good chicken dinner?" and a bunch of people saying "You fool! Eat steak!"
Be careful about buying euro online - if you use a credit card, that's considered a cash advance, not purchase and you may pay a higher interest rate.
Joelle
Sep 25th, 2004, 03:48 PM
#32
My last message was for PLMN. Also, if you are coming from within the EC, say on a flight from CDG to FCO, you won't have to go through passport control as well. And with baggage, as we all know, who wants to drag that all over the airport looking for an atm. And, at least as far as L.A. is concerned, going to one of those foreign exchange places at the airport are the biggest rip-off in the world.
Sep 25th, 2004, 11:19 PM
#33
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mgmargate I read your message at 3:15 as slowly as I possibly could and I still don't agree with you. I live near LA so it is alot easier for me to pick up euro at my bank and it is not a waste of time.
I would rather get them at my leisure while I am at home than to WASTE time after I have arrive in Europe.
That is my opinion, you have yours, why the attitude?
I would rather get them at my leisure while I am at home than to WASTE time after I have arrive in Europe.
That is my opinion, you have yours, why the attitude?
Sep 26th, 2004, 04:57 AM
#39
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I just did a comparison of rates and fees online between AmEx and BofA.
(Its Sunday and no banks are open).
This is exactly what I found.
AmEx
100euro= $131.19
Fee= $15.00
Shipping= $12.95
Total= $159.14
BofA
100euro= $129.20
Fee/Shipping= $10.00
Total= $139.20
I went to a few other on-line sites to comparison shop, but the rates were so poor, I don't want to waste anybody's time with them.
I'm plesantly surprised with BofA's exchange rate of about 5% above interbank rate, it is somewhat attractive even with the 10 dollar fee added on. If I were really worried about having euro in hand prior to departure, I would go for it.
But the more I travel, the more I realize it isn't a necessity, but a convenience.
(Its Sunday and no banks are open).
This is exactly what I found.
AmEx
100euro= $131.19
Fee= $15.00
Shipping= $12.95
Total= $159.14
BofA
100euro= $129.20
Fee/Shipping= $10.00
Total= $139.20
I went to a few other on-line sites to comparison shop, but the rates were so poor, I don't want to waste anybody's time with them.
I'm plesantly surprised with BofA's exchange rate of about 5% above interbank rate, it is somewhat attractive even with the 10 dollar fee added on. If I were really worried about having euro in hand prior to departure, I would go for it.
But the more I travel, the more I realize it isn't a necessity, but a convenience.
