What is the best way to get the best exchange rate?
Head to your bank or credit union before you leave to avoid paying ATM transaction costs. You may even receive a better exchange rate. Credit unions and banks will exchange your dollars into a foreign currency before and after your trip when you have a checking or savings account with them.
Online firms such as Revolut may offer a better exchange rate. Along with low-cost providers Monzo, Starling Bank and others, Revolut holders can expect fee-free cash withdrawals (usually subject to a monthly limit).
Though there may be a small fee if you exchange less than a certain amount, your bank or credit union will almost always be the cheapest place to exchange currency. You may be able to order currency at a branch location, by phone, or online to have it delivered to you or to pick up at a branch.
Know the country's exchange rate before you travel – these are usually posted online and at banks, airports and currency exchange shops. If you don't know the exchange rate, you can use this formula: starting amount (base currency) / ending amount (foreign currency) = exchange rate.
The Treasury Reporting Rates of Exchange dataset provides the U.S. government's authoritative exchange rates to ensure consistency for foreign currency units and U.S. dollar equivalents across all reporting done by agencies of the government.
Waitrose has the best US dollar rate right now at 1.2385.
With time at your disposal, you'll be able to see exactly what the fee and rate is, and how many euros you'll get for your dollars. It's possible of course that you might get a better deal when you land in Europe. It may well be the case that fees are lower and exchange rates better.
Head to your bank or credit union before you leave to avoid paying ATM transaction costs. You may even receive a better exchange rate. Credit unions and banks will exchange your dollars into a foreign currency before and after your trip when you have a checking or savings account with them.
Where to Get Good Rates: ATMs and Local Banks. The best place to exchange money is a local ATM or a bank. Many foreign banks are happy to exchange your dollars for local currency for a better rate than you find elsewhere, or you can go to an ATM to skip the line.
- Get a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card. Though most credit cards do charge foreign transaction fees, there are a number that don't. ...
- Use a debit/checking account with no foreign transaction fees. ...
- Pay in the local currency.
What time is the exchange rate highest?
Currency can fluctuate throughout the day too, with the morning or late afternoon cited as the best times to buy. These are just trends though and the currency markets fluctuate regularly, so keep your eye on them if you're looking to exchange currency soon.
Exchange at a Financial Institution or AAA: Usually, banks and credit unions and your local AAA have more reasonable fees and exchange rates than companies that are solely dedicated to foreign currency exchange.
In general, I avoid exchanging money in Europe; it's a big rip-off. On average, at a bank you lose about 8 percent when you change dollars to euros or another foreign currency. When you use an airport currency exchange booth such as Forex or Travelex, the hit can be as much as 15 percent.
The US dollar is by far the most traded currency in the forex market, with a global daily average trading volume of about $6.6 trillion. In fact, USD takes such a large precedent in forex markets that all 'major' currency pairs in foreign exchange trading include the dollar.
If you prefer dealing in cash, then by all means get some euros out before your trip. But actually, you'll find that debit and credit cards are widely accepted in most European cities. Paying by card can be easier and more convenient, without the potential security risk of carrying cash around you.
Therefore, you do not necessarily need to exchange money before traveling to Europe if you plan on using your card for most transactions. Just make sure that your credit card waives international card transaction fees, otherwise, those fees will add on very quickly.
Consider carrying between $50 and $100 a day on average, but remember that cash can bring fees and thieves along with it. Payment cards often have lower fees and are far easier to carry with you while travelling.
Online travel money suppliers usually have better euro rates than high street exchanges, but supermarkets are a good compromise if you want to collect your currency in person and still get a decent rate.
Using a credit card with no foreign transaction fees and choosing to make purchases in local currency will nearly always save you money. Currency conversion apps can help you better understand pricing and identify hidden charges.
Can you negotiate exchange rate with bank?
Yes, it may be possible to negotiate the exchange rate for larger transfers, especially if you are using a foreign exchange provider or a bank.
In most cases for Americans heading off to major European destinations, my answer is to just say “no” to buying euros in advance in the States. Unless you have a great bank that doesn't charge for the service — and gives real exchange rates, not lousy inflated rates — those euros will be overpriced.
Banks. You can often buy Euros and other foreign currencies from your bank, although be aware that they may not offer the most competitive exchange rates. The exchange rate makes more difference to the overall cost of buying travel money than you might think.
Fees aside, using your credit or debit card is probably your safest bet for getting an exchange rate that's closest to the market rate. But be aware that while your card's issuer bases its exchange rate on market conditions, it does set its own exchange rate for transactions.
Discover® Bank
Discover doesn't charge foreign ATM network or foreign transaction fees. But Discover card acceptance can be limited outside of the U.S., Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean nations. With an HSBC Premier Checking account, customers pay no foreign transaction fees. HSBC also has a worldwide network of ATMs.
