Orderin Euros or Pounds Sterling Online
 

Has anyone exchanged dollars into Euros or Pounds Sterling using an online service such as www.ordercurrency.com? How was the experience? Would you recommend it?

We'd typically used ATM cards in Europe as our primary way of exchanging currency. This trip we're taking the kids along and will need to have some cash right away to pay for cab fare, apartment rental, etc.

Would ordering say 200 Pounds and 300 Euros ahead of time be a good idea for peace of mind?

NO.

You can find ATMs in major airports everywhere. You get your best rate that way - the bank wholesale rate plus the standard Visa markup of 1%. (I presume MC does the same. All of mine are Visa oriented cards.)

If you want a small amount for cab fare, why not try to find a person with a few euro notes he or she wants to swap and negotiate an exchange at the bank wholesale rate? Both of you would profit.

I just recently did that before going to Germany. A foreign student arrived with euro notes and we agreed on the bank wholesale rate as published on Internet daily and continuously. The deal saved us both.

Hi S,

ATMs are much less expensive.

If you just need cab fare, you can buy about $100 worth of GBP and the equivalent in Euro at your departure airport.

How much will you need for your rental? If it's a lot, ask your bank to raise your daily limit.

((I))

I think you'd get a better exchange rate buy buying your pounds or euros at your arrival airport instead of departure airport - times i've checked my local international airport exchange the rate was worse than at the arrival airport currency exchange. Best as everyone will say is to first look for an ATM at the airport and they all have them - then resort to the currency exchange which will definitely be open when you land.

Hi PAL,

You are correct.

However, some folks feel more comfortable having cash when they land instead of having to find an ATM when they arrive.

((I))

Yes and the amount they'd lose on $100 is just a few bucks - well worth it for peace of mind i guess - especially with kids along. I agree.