There are a couple of small quirks, but your money is safe and you’ll walk away with the necessary cash without it costing more than your morning Americano.
Make a fast dash for the nearest bank-owned ATM and rest assured you’re getting the best possible rate.ĭue the compatibility of the US dollar and the euro, using an ATM in European Union countries is almost as straightforward as using the ATM at any bank back home. As a budget-conscious traveler, think of airport currency exchanges the same way you view street hagglers - with a lot of caution, and knowing that the more questions you decide to ask, the harder it gets to say no to them. Of course they’re not going to mind paying $25 to exchange $250 of money - they probably won’t even notice. Think about it from their perspective - a steady stream of wide-eyed tourists deposited fresh off the tarmac, likely far more concerned with moving safely to their hotel than they are with pinching pennies en route to getting there. At the airportĪirport currency exchanges are often the most expensive places to change money. Check with your bank ahead of time to make sure your card can be used abroad, and you’ll be good to go. Plus, you can withdraw local currency straight away when you arrive without having to fly with a bunch of USD in your pocket only to have to exchange it the moment you deplane. Using your debit card at an ATM is almost always a better option than using a money exchange service because you will get your cash with just a small international transaction fee (often not more than a couple of quarters) and avoid transaction fees and commissions entirely. The general best practice for international travel is to carry both a no-fee credit card and a debit card with low withdrawal fees. In major airport terminals the world over, rows of ATMs operated by major banks are a common site nowadays. Here’s everything you need to know about ATMs abroad, when you should use them, and when you’re better off sticking with it’s often conniving, human-operated counterpart. And yet, many people still assume they’re going to get insane fees or worse, their identity stolen, for doing so. When you’re far from home and the need for cash arises, the modern, globally compatible ATM is your best friend.
Even the long-standing airport currency exchange booth, which for years stood as destination number one for travelers touching down abroad, is nearly obsolete in many circumstances. Gone are the days when preparing for an international trip involved ordering $2,500 worth of traveler’s checks from your bank, only to find them gone a solid week before your trip ends, leaving you panicked in your hotel room with no choice but to enact your best “daddy please” voice and phone home for a wire transfer.
When it comes to using currency abroad, everything has changed with the rise of travel rewards credit cards, international ATMs, and travel-friendly bank accounts.
0 kommentar(er)
