I recently discovered this service, which offers Kiosks at airports where travellers can redeem their foreign currency before boarding the flight for the trip home. There are a number of ways the funds can be directed, including deposit to a PayPal account. THIS video explains the concept.
They don't currently have many locations, but hopefully the service will be expanding to all the major airports in Europe.
I notice that there is a "3-10%" fee and the website doesn't even quote any exchange rates.
I keep any unspent money for "next time" - there is no free lunch and any exchanges will come with a cost.
Ken, thanks for the info. I too keep Euro for the next trip but I'm now planning to take all my Armenian Dram because I'm pretty sure I won't go back--not that we didn't enjoy it, there are just too many other places to go!
Definitely convenient for someone stuck with a pocket full of coins and nowhere to spend them all or who does not have a bank that does exchange for notes. But I am worried about the cost.
I think I will just keep my left overs for the next time I visit. :-)
I, too, keep my euros for future trips. However, unique currencies like krone, kuna, etc., are pretty useless after a trip. I was able to exchange my Croation bills (not coins) for dollars at my neighborhood WF, where I have an account. Of course, there was a fee hidden in the exchange rate; but there wasn't much alternative. If the service you describe were available, I would certainly utilize it, especially if I lived where it isn't so easy to find a bank that does foreign exchange.
Good to know, but I'm one to keep the extra Euro for the next trip, the same goes for GBP both currency and coin. I still have a little CZ (left from 2001) and Polish currency (left over from 2005), some handy cash, just in case for diverting into a day trip by taking the train across the border.
I'm in the "keep some to start you next trip camp". However, I carefully compute my expected expenses on a spreadsheet before going over (I know what I will spend for my accommodations, because those are all booked in advance. I've calculated travel expenses from the rail website. I know historically what I will spend on meals.). Therefore, I can make my last withdrawal so that I only have 200€, plus/minus, left over, and I want to have that for my next trip.
Over the past few years, I have noticed that several air carriers will provide passengers with an envelope in which the passenger may place coins or bills of any currency to be used towards a particular charitable organization. I don't recall which charity but assume it is reputable given the support the air carrier is providing. The charitable benefit is undeniable and it alleviates the problem of having small coins in a variety of currencies that you very likely will never use again. Perhaps other RS viewers have encountered this and can provide additional information.
I usually keep my paper banknotes, regardless of where they are from. I always find someone who wants to buy them off of me and it helps them out as well! Otherwise I keep them for my next trip. Loose change always goes into one of the charity containers that exist in most international terminals in Europe. All of the exchange kiosks will charge for the currency exchange which is always a losing proposition for you.
I usually keep my paper banknotes, regardless of where they are from. I always find someone who wants to buy them off of me and it helps them out as well! Otherwise I keep them for my next trip. Loose change always goes into one of the charity containers that exist in most international terminals in Europe. All of the exchange kiosks will charge for the currency exchange which is always a losing proposition for you.
What's the benefit over using the currency exchanges at the airport?
If I have "funny" money left over (zlote, forints) that I'm not likely to need in the foreseeable future (unlike euros or sterling), I'll just buy something in the airport (drinks, souvenir). If I have a lot left, I've been careless in my planning. I came home from Beijing with over $200 worth of yuan, but 3 years later I found a friend who was going to China.
