Euros

Richard, Speaking for me and my wife: peace of mind. Just in case the ATM at the airport is out of order, out of cash, or our cards just don't work (all unlikely, but possible), it's good to know we'd have enough to grab a bite to eat, pay a cab if needed, etc. It would be enough to get us by until we could another ATM. Getting a pocket full of euros before you leave is pretty darn easy, the exange rate/fees where not that much more than the ATM, and it's one less thing to worry about. So why not do it?

Hi Monique. Do you know anyone who has an account at a bank that sells euros? Your friend could buy some for you and you can pay him/her back. AAA should be able to tell you how many euros you get in a pack. I was going to buy some from them last year before my trip but they charged $100 for 65 euros, which was what they paid for them. I went to US Bank, where I had an account at the time, and purchased 100 euros for about $137. Shop around a little before you buy.

I know there is a subgroup ut there that is absolutely convinced that the only place to get Euro is at the airport ATM. You are just not a smart traveler if you get Euro in the US. Works great if a major airport with lots of ATMs. Small airport no so good. And sometimes the ATMs are empty, out of order, etc., AND, as far as I am concerned, it is just one less thing to worry about. I willing to pay $5 or so just for the convenience of not having to worry about that.

Here is a strategy we use and it, IMHO, is a cogent strategy. We buy about 100 euro from the Travelex place at most large USA airports. This gives us cash on hand when we land and can transit to Roma. Once we are in-country we use our bank ATM card from our checking account to access the ATM's attached to a bank. I have read horror stories from travelers that have used the ATM's located in some Italian airports because their personal banking info was stolen. We only use ATM's attached to a bank and only during business hours. I mention this because if the machine eats the card we can go inside and find help to retrieve it. This does not apply to you now, but we always return home with about 100 euro, or more, to save for the following summer because we travel to Italy every summer. In this way we have cash once we arrive. Buon viaggio,

Should be a number of sources in Seattle other than the airport. Any AAA office will have currency. Look for an Am Express travel office. The one near us closed but assume that others are still around. And you can order on line via a couple different currency exchanges. You will pay a premium between 5 and 10% but for a 100E that is reasonable. We like to have some Euro in pocket when we land. I have not heard any horrid stories about airport ATMs other than not working or empty. And there have been reports of skimmers being attached to stand along ATMs in tourist area but not in airports. However, there is always that potential so be alert.

We do what RB does. I don't know of a place to get Euros in Seattle other than the exchange at SeaTac - but then, I haven't looked, because (drum roll) there's a TravelEx at SeaTac! Boo on Boeing! I would have thought they'd have Euros... huh.

Best place in Europe is the ATMs (which they call "bancomats"). Get a money market account set up through a company like CapitalOne that won't charge you international transaction fees.

Find out from Boeing's credit union whether it has any arrangement with a Seattle bank to get foreign currency; if it doesn't, find out from the credit union if it can refer you to a bank that sells foreign currency...or place calls, yourself, to big banks in Seattle to see if you can exchange dollars for Euros. If that fails, ask a friend who banks at a bank that handles foreign currency to buy you some Euros. I bought Icelandic currency for a friend at my bank. I have used ATMs all over Europe; recently in Austria and Hungary. Before that, at the airport at Munich, in the tiny village of Pienza, Italy. Best wishes

Hi Monique, We picked up our Euros at AAA. There's one on 15th just south of Ballard, right after you pass under Garfield/Magnolia Bridge. Be advised they are closed on weekends and I think they close pretty early (5:30 or so) on weekdays. At AAA, you buy $100 "packets" of euros, and there's no way to tell how much euros you'll get - it's based on what the exchage rate was when the bundle was purchased by AAA. They add a fee, but it's much better than you'll get at any bank. Anyway, it worked great for our trip earlier this month. It was nice to know we had 100 or so euros when we landed, just in case we needed them before we could find an ATM. As for getting euros in Italy, use your ATM card. We used our BECU cards exclusively (which I assume by your comment you have as well). They worked great everywhere we went on any ATM machine. No problems whatsoever. The only extra charge you'll incur is a small (1% or 2%) fee from BECU. Italian banks will not charge you a fee. (If they do, find another ATM.) Be sure to check in with BECU before you leave and tell them to note your account the dates that you'll be in Italy - otherwise they'll think your overseas transactions are identity theft and will block your card. Also ask them what your daily withdrawal limit is, and ask them to increase it, if nessesary. I have to say BECU was a pleasure to deal with leading up to our trip. They made sure everything was in order before we left and, like I mentioned above, the cards worked flawlessly.

There will be ATM's in the airport when you arrive. Why does everyone think they need to get them ahead of time?

Pacific Place, third floor.

Have you gone to "Graffiti Wall > Money/Communications >
ATM's: Minimizing Fees" yet? We go to Europe every summer for the last 10 years and have always waited until we arrive there to get the local currency wherever we arrive. We have never had a problem at airports or train stations and are comfortable enough with our methods that we do not get stressed out or not have peace of mind. We use Debit Cards tied to Checking Accounts here in the US. We take one each from two different financial institutions and mostly use the one from the city credit union which makes up withdrawals by one percent.

Airport exchange kiosks offer 'no fees,' but then change the exchange rate by 15-20% to make their money. I've always used the ATM(Bancomat) machines without problem, and have got a rate near the official bank rate plus the fee tacked on by your bank or credit card company. (My Credit Union charges a fee of 1%, VISA has a 1% fee, AMEX has a 2.7% fee). Make sure your card has a 4-digit PIN number. Also, you may want to notify your bank/credit card company of your travel plans and dates so they don't shut down your card for suspicious activity! If you really feel the need for Euros on arrival, consider going to the exit for international arrivals outside of customs. Those flights come in earlier, and some of those passengers may be willing to deal for leftover euros. (Be careful not to leave the security cleared area doing this though, or you may have to wait in line with the TSA again though).

You should be able to buy Euros at the main branch of any bank in Seattle. I would call your bank and ask for the Foreign Currency department. Don't buy them at the airport the exchange rate will not be as good as at a bank.