How do I get Euros?

We'll need to take a train and then a taxi to get to our B&B when we arrive in Amsterdam... How do I get Euros ahead of time to pay them?

Re: How do I get Euros?

We got our Euro's in the airport. We had to pay as soon as we got to the flat we rented in Paris when we went.

Through LIF we found out that the way to get Euros without the lowest conversion rate was to go to an ATM in the airport as soon as we got off the plane. Our bank gives us a certain number of free atm transactions or we could have opened an account at HSBC and all ATM transactions would have been free.

You can go to almost any bank and request euro's but it takes a few days and the conversion rate was fairly high.

Re: How do I get Euros?

We have Chase, so I guess we need to figure out if we can do an ATM in the airport. It seems that's the easiest route. I would just worry about getting there and then something going wrong with the ATM!

Re: How do I get Euros?

If you are an AAA member you can get them there.

Re: How do I get Euros?

ive gotten them in the city, at amex but most recently get it at the ATM when we get there.

Re: How do I get Euros?

Posted by greenfreak

We have Chase, so I guess we need to figure out if we can do an ATM in the airport. It seems that's the easiest route. I would just worry about getting there and then something going wrong with the ATM!

Re: How do I get Euros?

Posted by greenfreak

I would just worry about getting there and then something going wrong with the ATM!

Re: How do I get Euros?

chase will do it as long as they have enough heads up before..i think 5 days or so

i exchanged money at amex last summer

Re: How do I get Euros?

You can get them at an American Express travel office.

Re: How do I get Euros?

atm at the airport you land it. you won't need them beforehand, and if you have a layover, most places in the airport accept debit/cc.

I never buy them here. ever. if I don't have any left over from a previous trip, atm when I arrive it is.

ETA: just watch out for bank charges. we have a separate bank account with Capital One and I have a cc from them b/c they have the lowest rates for euro travel and purchases. BoA is HORRIBLE, chase and citi are only slightly better. Cap One has always been the best for me.

the only time we've ever had a problem taking out money was with my dh and his old Banco Popular account. but in all the trips I have taken across the pond, I've never had a problem with the major banks.

HAVE FUN!!!!

Message edited 6/21/2011 12:48:03 PM.

Re: How do I get Euros?

Thanks ladies! I had to get cash anyway so I went into a Chase branch just now and they confirmed that I could get a small amount before I go, so I can have money to get to our B&B.

What they also told me about was the 2-3% currency conversion charge each time I use my debit/credit cards. On top of the $5.00 fee to take cash out of the non-US ATMs.

She also told me if I wait till July 1st, I'll get 5% cash back if I book my flights with my Chase CC. That will offset the ATM fees nicely.

eta: I was posting same time as you, Jess. DH has a Capital One card, so that could work! Thanks for the deets.

Message edited 6/21/2011 12:50:24 PM.

Re: How do I get Euros?

You can get them from a bank, at Roosevelt Field they have an exchange booth, and they also have one at the airport.

Re: How do I get Euros?

If I don't have some left over from a previous trip, I always give my bank a call and give them a heads up. I like to get some euros in small denominations (which you can request at the bank) for tips, small airport purchases, taxis, etc.

I always hit up the ATMs in the airport once I land though. But like here where all you get are $20s you get higher denominations at the ATMs.

Re: How do I get Euros?

You can pay with your CC in stores. But remember than you will need your pin number even for your CC. Vista and Mastercard are mostly accepted everywhere vs. Amex. Most CC in Europe are really debit cards. So you will need a pin in France even if it's a real CC and not debit card.

I usually get cash at the ATM. Do it in the towns you are going. The airport is charging so much for currency exchange. It comes to about the same. Exchange booth are VERY expensive and charge you a commission too.

Re: How do I get Euros?

Thanks! That sounds like a plan. Take out a little bit here, a little bit there. I have to read up on my Rewards CC because we were planning on using Debit for everything but if I can get $ back somehow, I should find out.