W are traveling to Holland/France and Italy in June & July. We understand we can get a chip and pin mastercard from TravelEx. Does anyone know what they charge to: 1. The initial loading of $3000.00 2. If we return with unused €'s, if there is an exchange fee. 3. There current online exchange rate seems extremely generous. What are we missing.
Thanks for any assistance provided.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Be aware that via web/mail order, Travelex doesn't sell chip & pin cards. They're only available in person at one of their desks. Here's the fine print: http://www.us.travelex.com/US/For-Individuals/Cash-Passport/Fees-and-Limits/
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19273 posts
"There current online exchange rate seems extremely generous." Right now for currency exchange, Wells Fargo online will give you €10 more (€671 vs €661 for $1000 and no shipping charge.
Posted by
Hermosa Beach, CA, USA
277 posts
Travelex says that they don't charge anything to cash out when you get back. But most money exchange companies aren't the best way to get the local currency. Our bank has an exchange agreement with BNP Paribus in Paris, so we're planning to use their ATMs with our bank's ATM card when we go this summer. That's what we did last year in London and it worked great. There was an ATM between our flat and the nearest bus stop. We're also planning to take a Travelex chip+PIN MasterCard for the odd things that won't take the American mag strip credit cards. I hadn't heard that the Wells Fargo card is chip+PIN.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
34 posts
Thanks all for your responses. Our only desire for the chip and pin card is really just for purchasing train tickets from a machine or train station. Otherwise we should be good. Thank again all.
Posted by
Texan in CA
4415 posts
Thomas, Lee is referring to buying currency at a WF. Trust me - you'll KNOW when WF gives ME a chip-and-PIN card LOL!