How much does Bank of America charge for currency exchange?
A Bank of America International Transaction Fee of 3% will apply when converting your currency.
A Bank of America International Transaction Fee of 3% will apply when converting your currency.
Many U.S. banks will exchange USD for foreign currencies without charging a fee, but there are often stipulations. For instance, Bank of America customers can exchange foreign currencies for free, but only on orders of $1,000 or more. Otherwise, the bank charges a $7.50 delivery fee for foreign currency orders.
Any Bank of America customer can exchange foreign currency at any financial center.
Though there may be a small fee if you exchange less than a certain amount, your bank or credit union will almost always be the cheapest place to exchange currency. You may be able to order currency at a branch location, by phone, or online to have it delivered to you or to pick up at a branch.
When will my order be shipped and when will I receive it? Orders placed before 2 p.m. (delivery address local time) are shipped the same day. Orders placed after 2 p.m. or on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are shipped the next business day. With standard shipping, orders generally arrive within 1-3 business days.
The best way to avoid foreign transaction fees is to acquire a no-foreign-transaction-fees credit card, if you qualify for one. Next in line are checking accounts or debit cards with no foreign transaction fee. It is also possible to avoid the fee by paying in the local currency for purchases.
Customers with Bank of America checking and savings accounts can order foreign currency through Online Banking or the Mobile Banking App. Customers with credit cards only can order currency at a financial center. Find out how much foreign currency you need for your trip and look up cash exchange rates.
It pays to be early, since you won't get the best deal at airport or station foreign exchange counters. Post Office offers competitive rates on over 70 currencies. You can order online and collect from any Post Office branch or have it delivered to your home. Order 0% commission currency now.
Most big banks sell foreign currency to customers in person at a local branch. You can also order the currency online or over the phone to have it shipped to your home. While convenient, this method does come with shipping fees. Post offices tend to offer similar services, too.
Where is the best place to get a currency exchange?
Head to your bank or credit union before you leave to avoid paying ATM transaction costs. You may even receive a better exchange rate. Credit unions and banks will exchange your dollars into a foreign currency before and after your trip when you have a checking or savings account with them.
With time at your disposal, you'll be able to see exactly what the fee and rate is, and how many euros you'll get for your dollars. It's possible of course that you might get a better deal when you land in Europe. It may well be the case that fees are lower and exchange rates better.
In general, I avoid exchanging money in Europe; it's a big rip-off. On average, at a bank you lose about 8 percent when you change dollars to euros or another foreign currency. When you use an airport currency exchange booth such as Forex or Travelex, the hit can be as much as 15 percent.
Foreign currency orders placed by 2 p.m. local time will be available at the branch you selected the next business day by 4 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Orders placed after the 2 p.m. cutoff time will be available in two business days.
Because of high currency exchange fees, you should exchange currency before traveling and know where to go to save on the fees once you are abroad. Read the tips below so you can exchange your money at the best rates while saving money on your international trip.
The relative values of the two currencies could change between the time the deal is concluded and the time payment is received. If you are not properly protected, a devaluation or depreciation of the foreign currency could cause you to lose money.
Even if you don't open a foreign bank account, these bank branches still might be able to exchange currency for you. If they are willing to do so you'll likely have to pay a fee, just as you would in the U.S. if you aren't a banking customer.
It all depends on where you're going and what you plan to do during your trip. As you can see from our travel costs table above, some European cities are cheaper or more expensive than others. As a general rule, though, it's a good idea to budget at least $100 a day for your vacation.
Most banks and credit unions can do the currency conversion for euros. That said, it is always wise to call ahead of time to ensure they can accommodate such an exchange. Before exchanging currency at a bank, You should ask a few questions: What is the foreign exchange rate?
Bank of America will assess an international transaction fee of 3% of the U.S. dollar amount for all ATM withdrawals processed in foreign currency. International ATM operators may offer to do your currency conversion for you, but they may charge a higher fee for conversion.
Should you get euros before traveling?
ATM rates tend to be as good as you are going to get. It's good to have a few euros in cash upon arrival for tips etc, just in case you can't get to an ATM right away. I keep a small stash of euros at home, left over from previous trips to the eurozone.
Exchange at a Financial Institution or AAA: Usually, banks and credit unions and your local AAA have more reasonable fees and exchange rates than companies that are solely dedicated to foreign currency exchange.
Banks that have no foreign transaction fees on at least some credit card purchases, ATM withdrawals and debit card transactions include Capital One and HSBC.
What is the cheapest way to get euros in the US? You'll need to compare exchange rates and fees for your bank with currency exchange services such as CXI. But a travel card such as the Wise international debit card can be a cheaper option, offering low fees and fairer, margin-free exchange rates.
Waitrose has the best Euro rate right now at 1.1473. You'll need to order online to guarantee this rate; it may be lower if you turn up unannounced and buy over the counter. You can buy your euros online and collect them from your nearest Waitrose travel money store if you don't want to wait for home delivery.
