Jingerwoppy Posted March 9, 2011 #1 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Has anyone tried buying euros at the Federal Reserve branch in San Antonio, TX? We're trying to avoid all of those horrific exchange fees and understand that this might be the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted March 9, 2011 #2 Share Posted March 9, 2011 You can't purchase foreign currency at a Federal Reserve Bank. You'll have to go through your bank or a foreign exchange dealer. I am not sure what you are talking about with "horrific exchange rates". The exchange rate you see each day is not one that's available to the regular consumer. You are not going to get as good as a rate as banks do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiyana4 Posted March 12, 2011 #3 Share Posted March 12, 2011 Travelex online is a great place to buy foreign currency. This is particularly true if you are buying multiple currencies. We did this for our Med cruise last year and paid roughly $10 USD including shipping fees....it was convenient and painless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayenu Posted March 14, 2011 #4 Share Posted March 14, 2011 The cheapest is to use your ATM card in Europe. Don't know if credit unions give you a better rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted March 16, 2011 #5 Share Posted March 16, 2011 Travelex online is a great place to buy foreign currency. This is particularly true if you are buying multiple currencies. We did this for our Med cruise last year and paid roughly $10 USD including shipping fees....it was convenient and painless. You made not have paid much in fees but those places are notorious for horrible exchange rates. The best is to just use your ATM card, no fees and good exchange rates. I have never been anywhere I can't find an ATM. Kirk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmarmors Posted March 19, 2011 #6 Share Posted March 19, 2011 The best is to just use your ATM card, no fees and good exchange rates. I have never been anywhere I can't find an ATM. Kirk Do you mean to take out foreign currency in cash from the ATM? isn't that consider a "cash advance" with very high fees? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted March 20, 2011 #7 Share Posted March 20, 2011 You are thinking of taking out money using a credit card. Using your ATM or debit card, it would be just the same as withdrawing money from an ATM in the US. Depending on your bank's policies, you may incur a foreign currency transaction fee (not much usually) and you may be charged to use an ATM that is not your bank's, but again, this isn't much money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildblue Posted March 21, 2011 #8 Share Posted March 21, 2011 Agreed. I travel world-wide a LOT, and whenever I need local money, using a local ATM to take funds directly from my checking account is always the best deal financially, plus it's super convenient. That's the only way I ever get foreign currency. As mentioned, just check with your ATM card issuer to see if they have any foreign ATM fees. (USAA did not, the last I used it) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingerwoppy Posted April 1, 2011 Author #9 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Thanks for all of the input. We've found a bank here in Austin that will order as much as we need for a fee of only $5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted April 7, 2011 #10 Share Posted April 7, 2011 Thanks for all of the input. We've found a bank here in Austin that will order as much as we need for a fee of only $5. Be sure to verify what the exchange rate is. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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