Online Currency Conversion Options
Jan 14, 2011 | 10:45 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Vienna, Austria
Programs: united, delta, british
Posts: 139
Change money in London
But don't do it at the usual places--go to Chinatown and deal with the guys on the smaller streets--perfectly reputable but they give good rates. I use one on Shaftsbury Ave and always get 3-4% better rates than anywhere else. I also change euros to/from dollars with these guys.
Jan 14, 2011 | 11:01 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: MileagePlus 1K
Posts: 101
I came VERY close to this in Tunisia on NYE. For some reason Schwab flagged my ATM card and shut me down from withdrawing cash. I also had my Chase ATM card (at $3+3% 
) and that was denied at one bank as well. Fortunately it did work at a second bank and so my 5th attempt to withdraw local cash was ultimately successful. I had a couple hundred in USD that I could have exchanged and survived
) and that was denied at one bank as well. Fortunately it did work at a second bank and so my 5th attempt to withdraw local cash was ultimately successful. I had a couple hundred in USD that I could have exchanged and survived
Jan 15, 2011 | 6:46 am
#18
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA, Marriott
Posts: 8
I can't believe nobody's posted a link to this incredible resource yet -- I thought it was created by FlyerTalkers --
http://flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php...reign_Exchange
FYI Charles Schwab is one of the best cards for foreign ATM use, with no exchange fee. I'm on Etrade, which also used to be 0%; now it's 1%. However, they are really good about automatically refunding ATM service charges. That probably saved me $25 or more in Thailand.
http://flyerguide.com/wiki/index.php...reign_Exchange
FYI Charles Schwab is one of the best cards for foreign ATM use, with no exchange fee. I'm on Etrade, which also used to be 0%; now it's 1%. However, they are really good about automatically refunding ATM service charges. That probably saved me $25 or more in Thailand.
Jan 15, 2011 | 10:49 am
#19
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 40
Here's a list of credit cards and their fees:
http://money.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Credit_card_fees
the list only shows credit cards from banks that offer interesting cards.
http://money.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Credit_card_fees
the list only shows credit cards from banks that offer interesting cards.
Jan 28, 2011 | 4:33 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,163
The best place to exchange your currency for foreign is at your airport's arrivals area. Find someone who flew in from wherever you're flying to and exchange currency with a real person instead of a business. You'll both get the real rate, with no fees.