Need a few Euros before I leave. Where do I go?
Sep 26th, 2004, 05:38 AM
#41
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At my bank, the costs of shipping and handling are incorporated into the cash rates of exchange, which are thus higher than cheque or draft rates.
For major currencies, I've decided the rate charged is worth the convenience of having a couple days' cash on hand in advance. For the Euro, my bank charges around 2 per cent over and above the ATM rate.
I give my order by telephone a few days in advance of departure (i.d. required at pickup); I pick it up when I drop by to collect my passport from my safety deposit box. I've never spent more than three minutes in line, but time spent in line is a function of local conditions that vary from area to area. In other words, your mileage may vary.
The best place to exchange depends on your individual circumstances. The airport exchange outfits might or might not offer competitive rates (mine does not, by a long shot.) It is also possible that your local banks don't offer full currency exchange service, or if they do, the shipping and handling charges you will deem not worth the convenience. Shop online or by phone,including the airport exchange office - then decide.
For major currencies, I've decided the rate charged is worth the convenience of having a couple days' cash on hand in advance. For the Euro, my bank charges around 2 per cent over and above the ATM rate.
I give my order by telephone a few days in advance of departure (i.d. required at pickup); I pick it up when I drop by to collect my passport from my safety deposit box. I've never spent more than three minutes in line, but time spent in line is a function of local conditions that vary from area to area. In other words, your mileage may vary.
The best place to exchange depends on your individual circumstances. The airport exchange outfits might or might not offer competitive rates (mine does not, by a long shot.) It is also possible that your local banks don't offer full currency exchange service, or if they do, the shipping and handling charges you will deem not worth the convenience. Shop online or by phone,including the airport exchange office - then decide.
Sep 26th, 2004, 05:49 AM
#42
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In my area I find the following that the bank rates for currency are high, the airport cash exchange is about the same AND they add a service charge. The local currency stores seem to be best BUT always check to see if they have S/C's. I find that they have better hours and always have the money when you need it ( I call ahead just to check).
Sep 26th, 2004, 05:59 AM
#43
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I don't necessarily recommend it, but if you are really fretting over having euro in hand prior to departure, than it is worth it, if only for the psychological effect it has. It isn't good for people to become nauseous with worry on the plane ride over. Its supposed to be fun.
Just be aware of the fees and rates prior to conducting the transaction.
Just be aware of the fees and rates prior to conducting the transaction.
Sep 26th, 2004, 07:58 AM
#44
Hey, Joelle,
My comment was for PLMN in response to a specific question he (or she) had for me, not anything you wrote, which I completely agree with.
If you look further up before his/her question, you'll see that you and I are on completely the same wavelength in this discussion!
My comment was for PLMN in response to a specific question he (or she) had for me, not anything you wrote, which I completely agree with.
If you look further up before his/her question, you'll see that you and I are on completely the same wavelength in this discussion!
Sep 26th, 2004, 08:14 AM
#45
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mgmargate, what do you know about my life that you can assume when and when I am not busy?
I hope English is not your native language, it is you're not your.
Someone should do a psycho study as to why people get so emotional concerning others buy euro before they leave.
I hope English is not your native language, it is you're not your.
Someone should do a psycho study as to why people get so emotional concerning others buy euro before they leave.
PEACE
Sep 26th, 2004, 08:45 AM
#51
Incredible! 50 posts on a simple question of where to purchase Euro in Los Angeles. And while I'm not taking time to count, only a few people actually answer the question.
I don't understand why how people obtain or carry funds (i.e., the great money belt debate) when traveling is such a darn hot topic on this BB.
I don't understand why how people obtain or carry funds (i.e., the great money belt debate) when traveling is such a darn hot topic on this BB.
Sep 26th, 2004, 08:47 AM
#52
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One tries not to be passionate although sometimes it slips out. It's just I simply don't understand why it's so important to run around trying to figure out how to get euro or whatever when you know you're going to lose big on the exchange and I just don't see the advantage of having euro in advance whether real or psychological.
Part of the problem is a refusal to accept 21st century technology and that is in all due respect to everybody who has a differing opinion.
In 1971 the first time I went to Europe, cc's were not accepted as universally and there were no shared teller network ATM's. We carried TC's and as we arrived in each country (and there was no euro then) we were used to having to exchange money. That was the way it was.
Now it's the 21st century. There are a plethora of ATM's all over the place, you get a far better rate with ATM's than exchanging currency; especially in the US.
Now if your bank is across the street and carries euro, perhaps there's a degree of convenience. International airports were set up in the expectation that arriving travellers will have to exchange money. There are ATM's everywhere. Local transportation, in general, takes credit cards. For example, the RER from CDG into central Paris takes credit cards. In London, the tube, the Heathrow Express, the trains in from Gatwick, all take credit cards.
I would suppose a car service driver would be only too happy to stop at an ATM if necessary.
That being said, I do buy into the idea that nobody should not have a back up. Yes, once in a blue moon, the ATM's go down. You know what you do...you bring some US TC's or some green US cash (or whatever country you are from) and saunter over to the currency exchange, smile, and take your lumps (although not as big a lump as you do when exchanging in North America).
So if despite all the information that is thrown out, one still has the "peace of mind" need to run around to find a place to exchange currency before leaving, knowing full well you are throwing money away, that's fine. One can't force people to do the most prudent thing.
It's just I simply, I am sorry to say, see the advantage of doing so.
But then again as I said earlier, in all due respect to everybody, to each his or her own.
Part of the problem is a refusal to accept 21st century technology and that is in all due respect to everybody who has a differing opinion.
In 1971 the first time I went to Europe, cc's were not accepted as universally and there were no shared teller network ATM's. We carried TC's and as we arrived in each country (and there was no euro then) we were used to having to exchange money. That was the way it was.
Now it's the 21st century. There are a plethora of ATM's all over the place, you get a far better rate with ATM's than exchanging currency; especially in the US.
Now if your bank is across the street and carries euro, perhaps there's a degree of convenience. International airports were set up in the expectation that arriving travellers will have to exchange money. There are ATM's everywhere. Local transportation, in general, takes credit cards. For example, the RER from CDG into central Paris takes credit cards. In London, the tube, the Heathrow Express, the trains in from Gatwick, all take credit cards.
I would suppose a car service driver would be only too happy to stop at an ATM if necessary.
That being said, I do buy into the idea that nobody should not have a back up. Yes, once in a blue moon, the ATM's go down. You know what you do...you bring some US TC's or some green US cash (or whatever country you are from) and saunter over to the currency exchange, smile, and take your lumps (although not as big a lump as you do when exchanging in North America).
So if despite all the information that is thrown out, one still has the "peace of mind" need to run around to find a place to exchange currency before leaving, knowing full well you are throwing money away, that's fine. One can't force people to do the most prudent thing.
It's just I simply, I am sorry to say, see the advantage of doing so.
But then again as I said earlier, in all due respect to everybody, to each his or her own.
Sep 26th, 2004, 09:29 AM
#53
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You're right.Some people never get any smarter.They take advice on a better way to do something as a insult to their "intelligence".That leaves them incapable of adapting to changing times and technologies.
Sep 26th, 2004, 10:31 AM
#54
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If people want to "throw away" their money by spending an extra 20 dollars or so obtaining euro at home, thats their business, certainly not mine. It can't be the worst thing that could happen. I could get into a discussion of the many other ways people foolishly spend money they don't even have. Isn't the average credit card debt in America into the thousands? Paying credit card interest to a bank, now there's a big waste of money!
Sep 26th, 2004, 10:55 AM
#55
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Like many other posters have said, your bank and AAA will be the most likely sources. But if they don't have any euros on hand, do not take euro TC instead. Before I got savvy, I believed when they told me TCs were the same and I could exchange them for actual cash when I arrived without a problem. Yes, they can be exchanged but not for the face value. Hefty service fees are attached for exchanging euro TCs to cash. And you have to exchange because very few will accept TCs nowadays.
I can understand the wish to have some euros ahead of time. I usually do if I can, most often leftover from a previous trip. But nowadays, I'm usually rushing to pack/leave for the trip, so I don't bother anymore. Also, I had once gone to Europe with only $30 in my pocket (forgot to stop by US ATM) and no euros and did fine with my ATM and credits cards. Got cash immediately at the airport ATM on arrival. So now, no longer bothered by not having destination country's cash prior to arrival.
I can understand the wish to have some euros ahead of time. I usually do if I can, most often leftover from a previous trip. But nowadays, I'm usually rushing to pack/leave for the trip, so I don't bother anymore. Also, I had once gone to Europe with only $30 in my pocket (forgot to stop by US ATM) and no euros and did fine with my ATM and credits cards. Got cash immediately at the airport ATM on arrival. So now, no longer bothered by not having destination country's cash prior to arrival.
Sep 26th, 2004, 07:32 PM
#56
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This subject has been beat to a pulp on Fodors.....and you get a thousand answers.
You can ORDER by phone through your bank (Wells Fargo in our case) and they either send them to your home or to your local branch. Is so simple and convenient and we usually get a LOT of euro this way.
Most people think it is "cool" to use ATM's while traveling around Europe, and I think it's find if that's what they want. It IS good to use the ATM's when you need "more" money...or for SOME along the way.
You can ORDER by phone through your bank (Wells Fargo in our case) and they either send them to your home or to your local branch. Is so simple and convenient and we usually get a LOT of euro this way.
Most people think it is "cool" to use ATM's while traveling around Europe, and I think it's find if that's what they want. It IS good to use the ATM's when you need "more" money...or for SOME along the way.
Sep 27th, 2004, 04:27 AM
#59
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I opened this thread, well, because you can't help getting curious why there's so many posts on what appears to be a simply answered title.
I can't believe it's never occurred to me to get foriegn currency in advance. No I'm not sure why not. I guess I just always figured that with that many foriegners like myself pouring off of the planes, that there had to be a way to get cash. I could see it would be trouble if all those resources were gone at once.
I am curious though - when you're talking about some currency other than the Euro, GBP or other former common Western currencies, do you all do the same thing? I mean, do you have the bank also locate Kenyan shillings or Thai baht, for instance, or is that something that people do differently? (Or Czech, Hungarian or Norwegian currencies for that matter?)
Sep 27th, 2004, 05:06 AM
#60
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This is where I get fuzzy - it was stated on previous posts that you can get your money prior to departing at the same favourable exchange rates as in Europe. I'm assuming you are meaning from the US - and you will receive the same exchange that you would at the arrival ATM? Now that I don't understand. Why are airport ATM's special? Or I am totally out to lunch on this one? I'm from Canada so this may not even refer to our banking exchanges at all, but any help is appreciated.
