HELP! We just got home from our trip to Europe and have about $50 worth of foreign money to exchange. The bank won't exchange it because it has to be at least $200. They told us the closet place is 4 hours away and that place doesn't exchange coins(only 1 and 2 euros). Half our money is in coins and for bills they charge a $6 fee. Does anyone have any other suggestions to get back most of our money??!!
Posted by
Ardmore, PA, US
225 posts
You could either keep it for your return trip (positive thinking) or trade with someone else. I understand people connect via Craig's List and other methods to exchange currencies.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19092 posts
You must be planning to go back. Else why bother with this website. So save the foreign money. That way you will have some in your pocket when you do go back, and you won't have to get it here at a high rate or depend on ATMs when you arrive.
For the past seven years the Euro has appreciated at about 8%. That makes it a pretty good investment- better than the bank.
Posted by
Calgary, AB, Canada
14 posts
I think you bank it full of it... there is a problem with coins but if you have bills they should exchange the money. What happens to the kids who get 20 euros as a gift from grandma and want to exchange the money to spend in the USA or Canada? I would try another bank...
Posted by
Nottingham, UK
658 posts
You're right - nobody exchanges coins.
There is something else you can do with them. I don't know how it works on your side of the pond but over here there are lots of very trustworthy and worthwhile charitable organisations who will gladly take these coins and put them to really good work.
I'm sure that they must have a similar situation in the States ( particularly with global charities like the Red Cross or UNICEF ).
A lot of airports have charity boxes that take all sorts of coins.
A lot of airlines support particular charities and will ask for unused foriegn coins during the flight.
It gives me a lot of pleasure to unload all the coins I have in order to help a hungry child who hasn't had the lucky breaks in life that I have had.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
AAA might exchange some currency. Like the bank, they will only take bigger paper money (maybe 5 Euro bills and up). No one will take your coins. I try to spend down my Euros before leaving. Any coins I still have are given as souvenirs.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
2344 posts
Ask around and you'll likely find someone headed overseas soon. I did this and ended up buying euros and pounds from several co-workers who had gone on recent trips. Given the value of the euro these days, I'm even tempted to swipe the euros I saved as momentos from a Paris trip several years ago (I'm not going to, but still, I'm tempted). Otherwise, plan to go again and call it "investment".
Posted by
Wodonga, Australia
440 posts
Shelley, there is a lesson learned and shared. Change any money at the exit airport. Though I find having E70 is an excuse to return. I passed on unused rail tickets to friends. That's what friends are for.