What foreign currency do you keep?
Feb 7, 20, 5:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 237
What foreign currency do you keep?
What foreign currencies do you keep a supply? How do you get that currency?
I keep about 8 different currencies, less than 10. When in a foreign country, I tend to use credit cards but will get currency. I know of a few places that give a better exchange rate. I haven't tried ATMs yet. (my credit union ATM card's network is just the US)
I keep about 8 different currencies, less than 10. When in a foreign country, I tend to use credit cards but will get currency. I know of a few places that give a better exchange rate. I haven't tried ATMs yet. (my credit union ATM card's network is just the US)
Last edited by A318neo; Feb 7, 20 at 5:08 pm
Feb 7, 20, 5:08 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 237
Answer for me:
Canada, USA, EU, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Singapore, minimal amount for India
Keeping foreign currency can be a pain in the neck. I had to rush to redeem my Swedish krona because they were changing theirs. The UK also changes but I never had a problem with having old money. I did have to specially use up my 1 pound coins about a year ago.
Canada, USA, EU, UK, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Singapore, minimal amount for India
Keeping foreign currency can be a pain in the neck. I had to rush to redeem my Swedish krona because they were changing theirs. The UK also changes but I never had a problem with having old money. I did have to specially use up my 1 pound coins about a year ago.
Last edited by A318neo; Feb 7, 20 at 5:20 pm
Feb 7, 20, 7:55 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: YEG
Programs: Aeroplan, Westjet Rewards
Posts: 310
Canada, US, EU, Mexico, Japan are the only currencies of places I am likely to revisit.
From my visit to UK I had about £14 in coins that I sold to a friend. I still have small amounts in coins from Romania, Macedonia, Albania, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. I was hoping to encounter a coin donation bin in an airport on the way home or at least a Unicef donation box on a flight (which I haven't seen in years). That's how I got rid of other coins.
From my visit to UK I had about £14 in coins that I sold to a friend. I still have small amounts in coins from Romania, Macedonia, Albania, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. I was hoping to encounter a coin donation bin in an airport on the way home or at least a Unicef donation box on a flight (which I haven't seen in years). That's how I got rid of other coins.
Feb 7, 20, 8:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: SEA once more (previously CDG and NRT)
Programs: Former DL DM and UA 1k, now a J class free agent (UA Plat, AA Plat, DL Silver)
Posts: 2,411
Regularly I have US dollars, Canadian dollars, and Euros. Right now I’ve also got Norwegian Kroner and Indian Rupees.
As for spare change, probably about 20 or so currencies
As for spare change, probably about 20 or so currencies
Feb 8, 20, 12:56 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: next to HAM
Programs: LH FTL, EB*G(2)
Posts: 891
I keep where I can forsee to return to that country/currency-area within 12-24 months (and inflation isn't already going bonkers).
Got biten by the UK change, too, since the timeframe to get rid of old bills was ridiculously short.
Got biten by the UK change, too, since the timeframe to get rid of old bills was ridiculously short.
Feb 8, 20, 4:11 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K(until 2022), MM *G for life, Hertz PC, BAEC Silver
Posts: 9,577
I currently have US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Swiss Francs, Euros, HK Dollars and shrapnel in Swedish Krone, South African Rand and Argentine Pesos (the last two of which I fully expect to be worthless if and when I return). I regularly visit the USA, continental Europe and Hong Kong so I don't even try to run those down.
Feb 8, 20, 6:54 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 836
I don’t keep any on hand permanently, but do order some right before a trip.
I received a shipment of Qatar and South Africa cash about a week ago for a trip we are leaving for this upcoming Monday.
I use https://currency.afex.com/ and they ship it straight to my house via Fedex. They’ve had great customer service so far in the 7-8 times I’ve used them.
I always arrive at a foreign location with cash in hand.
I received a shipment of Qatar and South Africa cash about a week ago for a trip we are leaving for this upcoming Monday.
I use https://currency.afex.com/ and they ship it straight to my house via Fedex. They’ve had great customer service so far in the 7-8 times I’ve used them.
I always arrive at a foreign location with cash in hand.
Feb 8, 20, 7:44 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 5,763
Usd, cad, eur, chf, ntd, nis, krw, rmb, sgd, thb, idr, hkd
Hmm, I wrote this, and edited it, so all currencies are in capital letters as is the norm,
but for some reason FT will not permit all caps???
Hmm, I wrote this, and edited it, so all currencies are in capital letters as is the norm,
but for some reason FT will not permit all caps???
Feb 8, 20, 9:07 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI,IAD,DCA
Programs: UA gold, Hyatt Plat Marriott silver,Hilton Gold, PC Plat., SPG Gold.,Hertz Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 639
At present, I have US, Euros, and pounds as I travel to these countries often. I use a revolut card when in Europe and the UK.
Feb 8, 20, 9:15 am
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Programs: Statusless and proud
Posts: 6,851
Pardon my naivety, but why do you all hold these currencies? Is it just because you had extra last time you went abroad? For most Western countries, a no-foreign-exchange-fee credit card and a debit card to pull out local currency seems to be plenty.
Chris
Chris
Feb 8, 20, 10:28 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: BOS
Programs: JMB
Posts: 133
Originally Posted by JayhawkCO
Pardon my naivety, but why do you all hold these currencies? Is it just because you had extra last time you went abroad? For most Western countries, a no-foreign-exchange-fee credit card and a debit card to pull out local currency seems to be plenty.
Chris
Chris
As for why I keep the cash, Japan is still a cash heavy society. Not every merchant takes credit cards, some have fairly high minimums, foreign cards are not accepted in ATMs unless it’s a post office, 7-11, or one that specifically takes them.
Also the value of the cash gets eaten up by fees and rates exchanging back and forth between usd and jpy. Might as well just exchange once and be done with it.
