As of yesterday, currency-to-go stopped accepting orders. The only other similar entity I know of, SkyTeller, isn't even accepting connections to its website. Anyone know of another similar service? (It is a major pain trying to get any kind of foreign currency here in CHA.)

silverpie-greetings from Nashville. Is Currency-to-go the Chase program? If not, Chase has a program that allows you to buy foreign currency with a c.c.and will ship overnight to your door. I just don't remember the name. If what I describe is Currency-to-go, I apologize in advance. If not, hopefully this helps.

Yep, that's the Chase program.

American Express has a program for its cardholders.

Direct fx has a program with which one can order foreign currency over the 'net, by phone or by fax. There is no minimum order per currency, but the total order should be no less than $200 worth. If you order more than about $3000 worth, they require a faxed copy of your passport. Overnite delivery is available.

http://www.foreign-currency.com/

I'm not endorsing them as I have only used Chase....or just waited and used an ATM at the arrival airport.

Have you tried this site. I use it frequently with no problems. Often they give you airline miles. www.travelex.com

I looked at the Currency-To-Go site again. Perhaps the message is confusing me, but it seems to me that although they've stopped accepting online orders, they are still accepting orders by phone.

I used Currency-to-go (Chase) late October 2001 - they aren't taking online orders - but I called the 800# and it was fine. Up to $1000 max per 10 days - $15 overnight fee for $1-499 - $500-1000 overnighted no shipping charge. Airborne signature required. Accept VISA/MC. (I think you get a different rate or reduced shipping if you are a Chase bank cust?)

A word of advice against CTG.. be cautious of their rates. I recently ordered Chilean Peso's from CTG. They gave me a rate of .0014 to 1 USD. I bought $996 worth. (580,000) When I arrived in Chile - at the airport after Passport control - there was a currency exchange selling Peso's for .0017 to 1 USD. My $996 would have bought about 680,000 pesos. (100,000 difference!) Lesson: CTG cost $170 more then the AIRPORT EXCHANGE! CTG's "fee" of 17% is a bit steep - even for Currency exchange in my experience.

Almost all CE's have elimnated "fees" and have put them in the rates.

Just a note: I don't blame Chase. They were clear about their rates and had no hidden charges. I purchased full well knowing what the rates were - that is just their business. My only comment is that their rates for CHP's was horrible - so be very cautious about their other currency rates. I expected them to be reasonably similar ($30-40 "fee" expected 3-4% or so). Sometimes the hotel/airport can be fairly reasonable. In any case - the service worked well and the $ arrived (new bills) as promised the next night. Very easy!

Lesson #2: While changing European currencies ($100-200 worth) in advance is a good idea - in Latin America - changing at hotels/malls/airport gave a much better rate - and was much easier.

At 2 large shopping malls, my Marriott and Radisson, and the airport - all had identical rates of 685 to the dollar SELL and 708 pesos to the dollar BUY.

That was an expensive lesson for me and my client!