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-   -   Need advice re: least expensive mode of foreign exchange/payment with US$ (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/need-advice-re-least-expensive-mode-of-foreign-exchange-payment-with-us-974969/)

Hulalady Apr 19th, 2013 11:52 AM

Need advice re: least expensive mode of foreign exchange/payment with US$
 
We will be on an Atlantic crossing cruise from USA to Europe and need advice regarding the best way method of foreign exchange/payment :
1. Should we do our exchange in the US, on the Ship, or in Europe?
2. Use USD, Travelers checks or US creditcards for exchange/payment?
3. At Airport, Banks or exchange agencies?

thursdaysd Apr 19th, 2013 11:58 AM

Duplicate post, answered on the Europe board.

travelgourmet Apr 19th, 2013 11:59 AM

Use credit cards wherever possible. Withdraw any cash from ATMs.

gailw Apr 19th, 2013 12:04 PM

In my experience, the best rate of exchange is to use your debit card in whatever European country you're in at a bank ATM. There are ATMs everywhere, even in small villages, and your bank gets a very good exchange rate.
In my experience, the exchange booths in airports are rip-offs. If you feel the need to have Euros as soon as you land, find an ATM in the airport and skip the exchange booths.
In my experience, nobody uses travelers checks anymore, if for no other reason than banks do not have the kind of hours that our banks have and it's very inconvenient to try to cash the checks.

happytrailstoyou Apr 19th, 2013 02:57 PM

Withdraw from ATMs using a bank card that doesn't add on extra fees.

When we use our Capital One card at Cirrus ATMs we are charged the ATM withdrawal fee, but no additional fee from Capital One. The savings are substantial.

HTTY

thursdaysd Apr 19th, 2013 03:11 PM

Hmmm. My Cap One card refunds the foreign ATM fee up to $25/month.

schmerl Apr 19th, 2013 04:19 PM

AND....capital one cards do not charge any foreign transaction fees on your purchases.

gail Apr 20th, 2013 01:47 AM

Make sure you notify your credit car company/bank that you are traveling or you risk them freezing your credit card for possible fraud.


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