currency exchange question

I posted this on lif, but wanted to ask you girls as well.
dh and i are going to london and amsterdam in a few weeks. I just wanted to know what the best way to pay for stuff would be while we are there. Would we be able to use a mastercard or visa, and if so would the exchange rate be ok? Should we exchange money here for euros or when we get there? Just want to get the best exchange rate. TIA!!

Any place you go is going to charge you a percentage to exchange money. I have an account at TD Bank (Commerce) and got my Euros there. They don't charge a percentage, but a $7.50 fee. If you don't have an account I think they told me it's $10, still not bad, especially when the fees can add when it's a percentage! In London you'll have pounds, not Euros. In Amsterdam you'll have Euros. A pain, I know lol. If you can, get to your bank so you can exchange the money here. They will most likely have to order it (unless you had TD Bank and can exchange it in the city). You'll get a good exchange rate. Where are you going first? How long are you staying in each place?

Yes, you can use your CC there.

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Posted by Mici n KC

Any place you go is going to charge you a percentage to exchange money. I have an account at TD Bank (Commerce) and got my Euros there. They don't charge a percentage, but a $7.50 fee. If you don't have an account I think they told me it's $10, still not bad, especially when the fees can add when it's a percentage! In London you'll have pounds, not Euros. In Amsterdam you'll have Euros. A pain, I know lol. If you can, get to your bank so you can exchange the money here. They will most likely have to order it (unless you had TD Bank and can exchange it in the city). You'll get a good exchange rate. Where are you going first? How long are you staying in each place?

Yes, you can use your CC there.

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thank you so much girls, this is really helping.

we are going to london first for three nights and then amsterdam for three nights. England doesn't use the euro? i didn't know that! We do have an account with TD, so maybe we'll get some cash before we leave, unless you think we'll get a better rate at the airport.?

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Posted by jeanyus27

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Posted by Mici n KC

Any place you go is going to charge you a percentage to exchange money. I have an account at TD Bank (Commerce) and got my Euros there. They don't charge a percentage, but a $7.50 fee. If you don't have an account I think they told me it's $10, still not bad, especially when the fees can add when it's a percentage! In London you'll have pounds, not Euros. In Amsterdam you'll have Euros. A pain, I know lol. If you can, get to your bank so you can exchange the money here. They will most likely have to order it (unless you had TD Bank and can exchange it in the city). You'll get a good exchange rate. Where are you going first? How long are you staying in each place?

Yes, you can use your CC there.

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thank you so much girls, this is really helping.

we are going to london first for three nights and then amsterdam for three nights. England doesn't use the euro? i didn't know that! We do have an account with TD, so maybe we'll get some cash before we leave, unless you think we'll get a better rate at the airport.?

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Definitely not a better rate at the airport. They charge a percentage based on how much you're exchanging. It's the same exchange rate. TD was pretty good anytime I exchanged. If you or your DH work in the city, you can get the Euros right away. I don't know about the Pounds though. They should be able to change everything for you for the one fee which will save you a ton. The Pounds they would most likely have to order.

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Posted by kristi313

if you're going to use your cc overseas make sure there are no foreign transaction fees

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That's a good point. Some CCs don't charge this fee. My card does but we used it anyway for certain purchases.