Extra Money: Good! Wrong Country: Bad...
 

Hello all -

I just returned from a trip abroad, and am having a bit of a "duh!" moment. I went through some old pants I'd brought back and found two 50euro bills. I tried to get my bank to change them back into dollars, but they won't change anything under 500euros. I'd love to get it changed into dollars - as a perpetually broke college student, that $80 could be a few fun nights out! Any ideas of places I could go to change my money? Or would I need to go all the way back to the airport to get it done? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks :)

Try your local American Express travel services office

Can you sell them to somebody you know who's going to Europe? (Put up a sign on a bulletin board?)

Great idea about selling those to another traveler. I wish the OP lived in Austin, I'd love to buy those for my next trip. You might even find someone on this board to buy those from you, if you would care to post the city where you live.

The American Express office is a good idea too. It you make enough inquiries you will find a place to unload those pesky euros. :-)

BTW, it's not $80, it's $120. Try an American Express or AAA travel office.

Is there a Bank of America in your area? Not sure how much they charge, but I know they change foreign bills both ways and you don't need to have an account with them.

What's wrong with kids these days? You brought home "extra" money from Europe? Hrrmph. In my day.... :-)

Anyway, I think you should stash it, even though I know that's hard. You'll have a great excuse to go back and a nest egg to help you do it.

Worktowander: if &quot;kids&quot; had had the internet in <b>your</b>day they would probably be doing the same thing.

Bringing home money from Europe? Nope, Internet or not (and we had it in &quot;my day&quot;) we would have blown all that cash. It was a wild and crazy time ;-)

50 Euros is about 60 $. If you live in a big city try the belgian or dutch embassy or consolate.Paul

You could hang on to it for a while and watch the market and see if the exchange rate fluctuates in your favor before exchanging it. I brought home Japanese yen once and just kept it knowing I'd return one day. The exchange rate with the US dollar over the years made it such that the value of the yen increased nicely for me. I was able to use it on my next trip to Japan, only wishing I had brought back more yen from my previous trip.

Your bank may allow you to deposit the money or open a savings account with the euros.