Buying Euros

[emmalbrent]

We are just getting a few Euros before we leave home. Does HAL (Rotterdam & Westerdam) sell Euros on board?

Spending 2 days in Venice pre-cruise. If it is still there from many years ago, there was an AmeX office at end of square. Remember exchanging traveler's checks there. So guess could do that again if run short of Euros.

[dakrewser]

You can get them on board, but the easiest way (and best exchange rate) is thru an ATM. THere's almost always one at the airport where you land as well as in the tourist areas of every city.

[FoxyTerrier]

I concur that using an ATM is best. Last summer while in Astonia HAL allowed a 3rd party to come aboard to sell/exchange US dollars for Russian Rubles. My father felt it was necessary to have some rubles while in St. Petersburg. I told him not to do this, but....

After review the exchange receipt the was a 20% fee for this exchange.

When I complained to the Front Desk staff on my father's behalf I was told this exchange was done as a "service" to HAL passengers and not handled by HAL directly.

I vented that ripping off 80 years is not a service of course nothing could be done. In the end we didn't need rubles at all but did use them as tip money to the tour guides as we didn't not want to pay another 20% "service" fee to get US dollars back.

If you are going to use an ATM please check with your bank to make sure your account is set up for international use.

[dakrewser]

Forgot to mention that if you have a PLUS network ATM card (check the network logos on the back of the card) you can find worldwide atm locations from their search service (http://visa.via.infonow.net/locator/global/jsp/SearchPage.jsp).

Other networks might also offer this service, or perhaps your bank can find the locations for you.

[Stevesan]

We are just getting a few Euros before we leave home. Does HAL (Rotterdam & Westerdam) sell Euros on board?

Spending 2 days in Venice pre-cruise. If it is still there from many years ago, there was an AmeX office at end of square. Remember exchanging traveler's checks there. So guess could do that again if run short of Euros.

The purser's desk will execute currency exchanges, but don't do it!! The rate is extortionate. AMEX or ATM's are your best venue to use.
Of course the best rate, besides ATM, is your credit card.

[bepsf]

Best is to check w/ your bank before you leave home -

If you put in a foreign exchange request with your banker, often the currency will be made available within a day - and larger bank branches in major cities often have major currancies such as Euro's, Pounds and Yen available right away. Some banks will even waive or discount ForEx fees for certain clients...

[TedC]

The best rate is definitely with our ATM/Debit card. We get cash with a favorable exchange rate and don't have to pay those extra hidden charges most credit cards tack on to every foreign exchange purchase - up to 5 per cent!

One caveat, however: If you're making a very expensive purchase and then find you've been ripped off, you MAY have some recourse with the credit card issurer.

[emmalbrent]

Thanks for all the msgs. We do not have an ATM card and our Bank will not order Euros for us. We live in "God's Waiting Room in Sun City, AZ". Of course AmeX travel office is in Scottsdale at Biltmore Shopping Center. So I can look in all the upscale stores and might raise the cost of Euros.

Will double check to see if AmeX still has office at back of San Marco Square. If I run thru all of Lanny's Euros in Venice will go there & convert Traveler's checks. Plan to take the water taxi to Murano Island to see glass factories. Know Venice will be expensive to eat, even in little out of the way places. We try not to eat in the hotel. More interesting with the locals.

Hey it's only money; not saving it for the nursing home.

[trubey]

Most VISA cards have a cash-advance feature which can be accessed from an ATM, which charge interbank rate + 2%. Our VISA purchases here are not subject to ANY service charge, just interbank rate. There are no ATM fees for our local or Euro Accounts (!!!) or fees for depositing US dollar checks!

I believe American Express has a scheme where you can use their cards in an ATM, but it's likely to be a bit pricy.

Any chance you can get an ATM card before you go? They're really quite safe these days, I think.

Lane

[emmalbrent]

We can ask our "bank" about ATM card. Travel would be only time we might use it. And need special digit number for Europe ATMs.

So far AmeX offices have been the best for us. Always charge gold jewelry, etc on AmeX card. What with rebate and conversion rate, is very good for us. Also if any problem with purchase or posting bills.

Between cash and traveler's cks we should be OK. Thanks for all the info. Will look into the suggestions.

We are on Sep 8 Westerdam Gems of the Baltic cruise so will have another chance to use Euros.

[Stevesan]

We can ask our "bank" about ATM card. Travel would be only time we might use it. And need special digit number for Europe ATMs.

We are on Sep 8 Westerdam Gems of the Baltic cruise so will have another chance to use Euros.

Bank ATM is your best card. I have the same pin number internationally as at home. You do have to use it occasionally, or it will automatically expire - usually @ every sixty days. My bank failed to tell me this and I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't work during our trip.:rolleyes:

[shipcafe]

Just back from Europe two weeks ago today.

ATM (as aforementioned) is best. Exchanging via bureaus, on board, etc. will undoubtedly incur an extra fee.

It is advised, however, to check with your credit / debit card to investigate fees. I used the ATM while there and got the current exchange rate charged. A week after arriving home I received a fee stating "International Withdrawl Fee".

[bepsf]

Thanks for all the msgs. We do not have an ATM card and our Bank will not order Euros for us. We live in "God's Waiting Room in Sun City, AZ".

Wells Fargo will get your Euros for you and a free debit card w/ your account...

[jhannah]

Between cash and traveler's cks we should be OK. I wouldn't rely too much on traveler's checks. They are often more trouble than they're worth, IMO. Many places are hesitant to accept them.

[emmalbrent]

We have had our cks for several years. I planned to cash them in at AmeX in Italy for Euros, if needed. We have only carried them for back up. You are right, not easy to use any more. We will also have our Master Cards as back up.

We do not bank at Wells Fargo. Our neighbor offered to get some for us but they are traveling now. So probably won't happen. Maybe Wells Fargo will do it even if not our bank. Will ask other friends where they bank.

[jbailey]

You can also order American Express Travelers Checks in Euros. These are much easier to use than the ones in Dollars because the tradespeople do not have to compute the exchange rates.

Check on the American Express site or find a travel agent that can order the checks in Euros for you.

If you do use an ATM card, make sure you have two cards in case one gets de-magnitized and also that the money is in your checking account, not your savings account. I had problems last year in England having my card de-magnitized the first time I used it. My other ATM cards could not be used because it accessed only a savings account. Had I not had some backup travelers checks, I would have been in serious trouble with only credit cards to use. Can't use credit for tips and small amounts.

This year I plan to take a couple hundred euros in cash and have several hundred in travelers checks, plus my credit card and ATM.

[emmalbrent]

Hadn't thought that far yet. Could change some of old traveler's cks to Euros bills and some to Euro traveler cks. Since have 2 Europe cruises this year.

[emmalbrent]

Got them at AmeX in Scottsdale. Small bills and one 500 Euro bill. Lanny is not a happy camper over this. So will have to cash it at hotel or go to AmeX for smaller bills upon arrival at Venice hotel