Anytime you plan to travel, you’re brain goes on instant overload with all of the things that need to get done before you leave. The last thing that you want to do however is to overly concern yourself with insignificant things, such as how many pairs of shoes you should bring – especially when it comes to traveling outside of the country. Once you’ve got your plane ticket, passport and have set up accommodations, the next thing that you’re going to want to seriously look into is the currency.
Understandably, you’re probably going to have more than a few questions about exchanging money and how you can get the best rate. Here’s a bit of advice:
Know the Exchange Rate Before Leaving – You can’t really give yourself a realistic budget unless you know exactly what kind of rate you are dealing with. Chances are no matter where you’re traveling outside of the U.S., you will be paying a little bit extra for foreign currency but it’s always comforting to know just how much extra.
Don’t Go to an Exchange Agency – Nine times out of ten, these agencies will charge you a fee to use their services. If possible, try to set something up with your bank instead so that you can exchange through them before your trip. Run out of funds while abroad and need to exchange? Hotels, airports and train stations are going to be your best bet for better rates.
Use ATMs with Caution – Regardless of your bank, you will be able to use any ATM while abroad. That’s the good news. The bad news is that you will be charged a transaction fee for using an ATM that is not associated with your bank. However, as some banks do have foreign partnerships that allow you to avoid these fees, it’s worth it to give your bank a call and see if any of the partnerships are located in the country you plan you visit.
Be Careful of Conversion Fees – Simply put, if asked if you’d prefer to have your bill charged in U.S. dollars or euros, always opt for the local currency. You may be charged a currency conversion fee otherwise.
Call Your Bank Before You Leave – This is very important. If you forget to let your bank know that you’ll be out of the country, they may flag your bank account for fraudulent charges the moment you go to purchase something. One simple phone call can save you a world of trouble.
If you still have questions about exchanging currency before your trip abroad, we can help. Just contact Blue Horizon Travel today; we’d be more than happy to help you get everything in place before you leave!
