Bank of American Global Alliance banks in Amsterdam or Rome airports

Where you live, you can't help but trip over a Wells Fargo - they traditionally have had the best rates on Euro, so I'd advise getting some there. My husband and I have started off with something like 200-300€ in the past. If you're not a customer, the charge - as of a couple of years ago - was $5. I've always been given a choice of what denominations I wanted, too - it will be easier buying a coffee at the arrival airport, for instance, with a 5€ or 10€ bill than a 50€. The exchange rate there vs a European ATM is negligible. This way, you're already set upon arrival! And, if you're buying anything on the airplane like alcoholic beverages, sometimes the Euro price is better than the Dollar price ;-) (IF cash purchases are allowed on your flight) That's just a little extra goodie! Bring some of your money home with you to start off the next trip 8^D

Thanks. But do you have to order way ahead of time? I'm leaving on Monday.

Typically you do have to order foreign currency some days in advance from a bank because banks don't keep it on hand. Sometimes I have gotten a bit of starter €€ or ££ from the American Express Travel Services office near my home. Not a favorable exchange rate but I only buy a small amount. There seems to be an office at 455 Market Street, San Francusco, 415-536-2600. Maybe there's still time today, or they might be open Saturday. Otherwise, just use an ATM in the airport when you land. It will probably be OK. Last resort - get some €€ from a Travelex Currency Exchange in the airport. Horrible exchange rate and fees but a way to get some cash in hand.

Looks like Wells Fargo has euros in the local banks. So ill just drop by some time tomorrow to get some spending money for the road. Thanks for the help!!

'get some €€ from a Travelex Currency Exchange in the airport. Horrible exchange rate and fees but a way to get some cash in hand.' Both Schiphol and Fiumicino have bank ATMs.

Thanks Ed. I realize they have ATMs. But I'm looking for banks in Bank of America's global alliance so I don't get charged fees.

Here is a list of banks the participate in the Global Alliance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_ATM_Alliance None of the listed institutions have ATMs at Schipol Amsterdam.

I would wait until I got to Amsterdam. Today's euro value is about $1.29 and the Wells Fargo website says their rate is $1.35. When you figure the cost and inconvenience of going to the bank it just isn't worth it to me to get the euro here.

Wouldn't it be higher to get it exchanged at the airport anyways? Plus if I use ATMs then I would probably be charged fees.

It looks like there at 9 Wells Fargo branches in San Francisco that have an 'International Teller' window: https://www.foreignexchangeservices.com/FES/paint.html?max=9 Most are open Saturday. They all say "Call to confirm currency availability." Good luck and happy travels!

Jeff, I was serious when I said we can trip over Wells Fargo locations in this area...Jenny may pass 15 branches on her way home from work. Seriously. And the difference in price is something like $18 for 300€...A one-time fee, done and over. Cash in hand. I can't remember the times we passed place after place for a drink, a snack, a taxi, etc., but we hadn't gotten to the row of ATMs yet, so no drink, snack, or quick-n-easy taxi. I'll pay $6 per 100€ at Wells Fargo; most banks charge something along the lines of $5 per ATM transaction in Europe, anyway...and I've yet to find the European ATM that routinely gives out 5€ bills...so for me, it's fine as a one-time transaction. I spend money where I get the biggest bang for the buck, so to speak, and having the correct money as I walk off the airplane is a very big bang for me.