Recommendations for currency exchanges (USD and GBP)
 

There's an abundance of different choices for getting foreign exchange and I've so far either placed an order with my bank (no longer offering the service, so not an option anymore) or looked up some forex bureau abroad. Have done the occasional ATM withdrawal when doing an exchange in person has been impractical.

I do know that the common advice is to usually bring Euros with you abroad and exchange locally for the best deal. However I'd like to stock up abit extra on dollars and Sterlings, because I tend to run out of small denomination notes for tips (I usually pay by card as much as what's meaningful) and the odd small purchase from a kiosk etc. I still have some, but I'd need to restock as I have more travels to come. Last time around at DFW I couldn't pay the hotel shuttle a tip in moderation, because I realised the smallest banknote I had was 20 bucks. Was a bit dull to say just thanks, because I do know when a tip is expected. That's why I want to get enough smaller cash for future travels. :)

I have plenty of options during this year to exchange dollars and Sterlings both in the US (stops at least in California, Oregon, Florida, Massachusetts and New York) and UK (London), as well as elsewhere in the Eurozone (Spain, Germany etc.), so that's why I'm asking on a broader basis.

I'm looking for advice where would I get the best deal and the smallest exchange fees? As for forex (EUR -> local) in the US and UK, where would you recommend for me to go? For instance all my dollars are currently exchanged in advance, so I've never exchanged in the States any.

Thanks a bunch for your inputs in advance!

Unless your bank seriously sucks (in which case you just need a new bank), the cheapest way to get USD in the United States--by far--is to use an ATM. Lots of chain convenience stores/gas stations now have surcharge-free ATMs, with the added benefit to you and the shop that if you need to break a 20 or two, you can buy something. Sometimes you even get lucky and find an old-school ATM that gives 5s and 20s.

Currency exchange places in the US exist primarily to extract extra money from unsuspecting travelers.

Yeah, would be happy to get fivers. The 20 dollar note is good for payments, like groceries, but for tips and such I need smaller ones and I tend to run out of them.

Indeed. :D But that applies to lots of other places as well.

Do you not have an ATM card?

Sure, but when you exchange face-to-face you can usually affect what banknotes you get.

So buy more packs of gum / cans of pop / whatever with your 20s and get 5s and singles? Back in the day, most banks would sell you a stack of 5s or singles, but most banks now will only do that for customers :\

I'm still not sure I get the need for so many cash tips, though. Hotel shuttle drivers, bell staff, housekeepers I get, but anywhere else you'd be tipping (restaurants and bars, basically) either takes plastic or will be happy to break bills for you at the till when you go to pay. Usually both. Your hotel should also be willing to give you change to tip their staff :D

More than once, when I didn't have singles to tip a shuttle driver or a bellhop, I asked them if they could break a large bill into smaller denominations. They have always obliged.

I feel like ATMs that can give out denominations other than $20 are a relatively new phenomenon in the US but I could be wrong on that.

Speaking of this, the Travelex Cash Passport prepaid card has an effective 5%+ FTF. You're better off using a 3% FTF card than one of those. :eek: (OTOH, it has contactless and supposedly has PIN preference. However, there are other credit/debit cards with either or both if you feel you need those, and mobile wallets are an option if nothing else.) I've heard that similar products in other countries are ripoffs too.

Anyway, based on OP's location, I'm not sure what Finland has in terms of banking products. No-FTF debit and credit cards might not even be available there for all I know, so it's hard to give advice other than "don't use Travelex".

I've heard that in the past (and possibly still now), many tipped workers preferred cash tips since they made it easier to not report all of them. I've also heard of a few restaurants that don't allow tips on card due to POS limitations but I don't think that's common.

What is somewhat common, though, is a reluctance to split restaurant checks. In that case, paying cash to one person or using Venmo or similar (with that person paying by card) is the usual workaround. That might only affect OP if he eats with larger groups often, however, not to mention that those restaurants will still exchange larger bills as mentioned previously.

I do have Curve Black, which I recently obtained. Yes, I'm probably going to go the ATM withdrawal path, but just wanted to ask for ideas and advice. :) I'm in no way limited to one country, except in terms of personal banking. But then again that too can be overcome, hence opening a checking account elsewhere has become harder these days.

I think it's just more sincere to leave something tangible as a thank you. You don't need to wait for it to be paid at a later date.

Even here in China where physical cash is rarely used these days, I've never encountered a convenience store that refused to accept it.

Up until the mid/late 90s, it seemed like every ATM had a "fast cash $50" option that gave two 5s and two 20s. Most of them have long since switched to 20s only, but you still find a few, often at small, local banks or credit unions whose ATMs don't go through as much cash. I have noticed more ATMs in the US with 10s in the last few years, though. And then there's the casino ATMs with 100s. I'm pretty sure every time I bought a motorcycle, my bank thought I had a gambling problem :D

It's not just tipped workers, in some parts of the US shopkeepers do it too; I think we've all been to a restaurant that doesn't ring up cash sales on the register at all... but the ethics of tax evasion is a topic for OMNI/PR.

Splitting checks is a pain at a lot of restaurants in the US, especially when they're running POS software from the 90s. I've had pretty good success with writing last-4 and amount on a slip of paper for the waiter, but having the right amount of cash to pay one person is clearly the easiest option. Ironically, this is one situation that the non-integrated POS and card terminals in much of Europe make easier; other than huge (10+) groups, I've never had a waiter bat an eye at everyone paying separately.

My experience in visiting most countries is that the best way to get local currency is from an ATM. Yes, sometimes there's an annoying fee, but my home bank credits back such fees so net-net I usually pay nothing. In certain countries currency exchange offices are a common sight and offer great rates-- particularly if you present a large note in a strong currency like $/€/£100. I can tell you the US is absolutely not one such country! Currency exchange offices here are practically a fraud, advertising "Today's rates" shifted several percent off bank rates and charging a hefty fee atop those cooked rates.

I have found that "all banks" do, but not just on the same day. Go to your bank manager and tell her what you want and she should be able to get it. For example only one branch in my city can do it.

I too like to carry a few euros/lbs/ whatever for porter etc. But the best exchange is always the ATM NEVER do it with the little girl at the window in the airport or station. Best is to keep some from previous trip and that way you are always ready to go, In the "old days" Amex had windows in all major cities and they used to give you the bank rate. Unlike darth above, I have never found the exchange offices as good. One other problem which is now fixed for most, European ATMs often require chip cards. Another interesting point is that French banks do not carry cash.

Outside of the US, I've found credit cards and bank that offer no-FX transfer fees are relatively rare - That means that while taking money from an ATM is better than buying at an airport, it will still cost you quite some money if you are a high spender. I'd like to the appropriate FinTech firms in your country which will almost certainly be better value. Revolut and TransferWise are probably two of the best known - Revolut has a slightly shaky reputation, but is currently using investor funding to subsidize spot-rate transfers on your first $200 - $600 ATM withdrawls per month (depending on which service you use).

Same--always just use an ATM for conversions