I need to buy some Euros from someplace in Tulsa. Who (bank) has them or can order them at the best rate without being a current customer? I don't travel much so I'm pretty clueless.
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If you're traveling to Europe probably just as well get them when you get there.
No thanks. I prefer to get some limited amounts before I go.
I do everything by card to be honest. If I feel I need local currency in a country I just hit an ATM there. USAA makes it cheap so I don't mind.
You are gonna pay like 20%+ to buy them here vs getting them from an ATM for free or a nominal fee when you land. I do recommend getting some local currency as not.everything takes cards. Be sure to inform your bank where you are going in advance, sucks to get your card shut off overseas.
That's a good idea. Have you checked with your bank/credit union? We got $1000 before going to Italy last year from our bank and it was no where NEAR 20%. As stated, a credit card is best way to travel abroad in my opinion. They'll do daily conversion rates at a FMV. At least ours did.
Call the main branch of a Tulsa bank (I think BOK is headquartered there) and ask. I forget which OKC bank I used 35 years ago, but that is what I did.
I suppose now that I'm off my phone I can type a proper note.
Preferentially, one would want a card with no foreign transaction fees. The catch, which can be subtle, is that when paying --- especially in tourist trap areas --- the merchant's card device may ask if you want to pay in local dollars or your home currency. Always choose the local currency. The reason being that if you choose the home currency you'll wind up paying a exchange rate premium to the card acceptance network that is processing the transaction in addition to whatever your bank/card charges. If they charge in local, then you're only getting hit with whatever your bank/card charges if applicable. (Note: I dumbly put this backwards earlier so from the bold till here is an edit). Also, if the card that you are using does have foreign transaction fees, the rate will depend greatly on the card. Some will lock the conversion rate to the market index at the time of the transaction. Some (I'm looking at you Citibank you greedy richards) will magically pick the most favorable-to-them conversion rate in the day the transaction was made.
Now, for local currency, it's just hard to beat USAA as a bank. The ATM surcharge rebate plus minor, if any, fees on the conversion are a big plus. Other banks might offer similar programs. I will personally always hit an ATM in-country to avoid bringing currency in as typically the ATM fees in country even in the tourist traps and airports where ATM fees are oddly and magically higher than anywhere else are usually less than getting foreign currency at your point of origin. Lastly, never ever for the love of god use the currency exchange shops at the airports. If those places were Vegas casinos, they'd be the biggest casino on the block with how much they rob you.
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