Foreign Currency Tips

Ordering foreign currency though AAA.

• Foreign Currency can be ordered in person or by calling your local Service Center. Allow 72 hours for shipping and processing. 
   
• Orders must be picked up at Service Center (no mailing of currency available).
  
  
• Minimum order $200 USD. $10.50 Service Fee per order (waived for AAA Premier members).

Traveling with foreign currency.

• It is suggested to take the U.S. dollar equivalent of $50 to $100 worth of foreign currency per person, per day, to meet incidental expenses. Take precautions while out exploring; carry only the amount of cash you feel comfortable with, and split foreign currency between you and a partner. In some countries debit and credit cards are not widely accepted. 

Getting additional cash. 

• If you need to replenish your cash while traveling, making a withdrawal from an ATM is often a good option. Keep in mind fees are usually associated with each transaction.

Credit and debit cards.

• Many cards carry a foreign transaction fee, so it is important to know your cards’ fees before traveling. Cards may be a good way to pay for large transactions and generally provide a competitive rate, which makes them a good complement to cash. Be aware of dynamic currency conversion (DCC) services where merchants convert the transaction to U.S. dollars (the rate of exchange is set at the point of sale rather than waiting for the card’s billing cycle). The merchant sets the exchange rate, which may be higher than the rate set by the issuer of the credit card and could include hidden fees.

Heading home.

• If you have leftover foreign coins, some airlines and airports will collect these for donations to local charities or you can save them for your next trip!