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Buying Foreign Currency Online Beats Trying to Use Traveler’s Checks

There was a time when traveler’s checks were the form of payment to have been traveling to a foreign country.  This method of foreign currency exchange offered competitive foreign currency exchange rates and protected you as a traveler from losing large sums of cash to theft or loss.  Traveler’s checks are still in existence today and many people may wonder whether or not it is good to use them when people can simply buy currency and competitive foreign currency exchange rates online. 

Why Buy Foreign Currency Online Over Using Traveler’s Checks.

Traveler’s checks were once the preferred way to take money overseas.  The way traveler’s checks work is that a person who is about to travel to another country goes to a bank and purchases these types of checks that are for set amounts; these checks can be utilized in foreign currency exchange to buy currency in other countries.  These checks can be replaced if lost or stolen; this feature added to the popularity of traveler’s checks due to the fact that many people fear losing large amounts of cash when traveling. Thus, traveler’s checks allow the holder to take money overseas with some measure of security.

There are still some times when traveling overseas that traveler’s checks are still frequently used.  One of the most common times when traveler’s checks are used is when a person is traveling to a country or area in which there are no ATMs or limited ATMs and few opportunities to buy currency at a competitive currency exchange rate.  In addition, some people wish to use traveler’s checks to avoid the high cost of ATM fees.  Thus, some people may believe that it is still beneficial to use traveler’s check to instead of buying large amounts of foreign currency to take on a trip.

Because your credit cards and debit cards can be used for some large purchases, there is no longer a need to carry traveler’s checks.  Traveler’s checks served an important function when people were forced to travel with large amounts of money because there were very limited ways in which people were able to obtain money in a foreign country.  Today, people have more options for acquiring needed money in a foreign country.  Furthermore, due to the decrease in the popularity of traveler’s checks, if you are traveling with traveler’s checks, you may find it more and more difficult to find places to exchange these checks.

Instead of carrying traveler’s check which you do not know if you will be able to use should buy foreign currency online from XChange of America.  This allows you to buy currency of the country that you are traveling to and a competitive currency exchange rate; you do not need to look around for a place that will accepts your traveler’s checks.

Why Buy Foreign Currency Online from XChange of America

You no longer need to take all of the money that you may need with you.  You can use credit cards and debit cards for large purchases as well as withdraw money from the ATM in a foreign country if necessary.  Thus, you do not need traveler’s check.  It is important, however, to have some foreign currency to spend when you get to your destination and you want to get it at a competitive currency exchange rate.  Therefore, it is wise to buy foreign currency online through XChange of America before your next trip.

Buy Foreign Currency Online Instead of Using Your Credit Card

Mastercard and Visa are accepted worldwide these days.  This still does not make it a good idea to use your credit card when travelling abroad.   By the time that the fees are tacked on, these cards translate into a poor foreign currency exchange rate option, far worse than if you were to buy currency before you leave.  You may find yourself paying huge fees if you opt to use your credit card rather than buy currency to take with you when you travel.  Instead, you should buy foreign currency online from Xchange of America which offers you a competitive foreign currency exchange rate to save you money that you could end up paying in high credit card fees.

Why You Don’t Want to Take a Cash Advance on Your Credit Card

Many credit cards allow you to withdraw some cash in the form of a cash advance.  This may seem like a quick and convenient way to acquire some cash in a foreign country, however, the fees associated with this type of transaction should make you warry of ever resorting to this method of acquiring cash.  ATM machines in foreign countries may charge you a substantial fee in the form of a foreign-transaction charge.  This is in addition to your withdrawal amount and the fees that may be charged for using an ATM that is not within your banking network.  Furthermore, the interest that you are charged on a cash advance is often more than what is charged for general purchases on your credit card.  These fees can add up to a large sum of money that you have to pay for using your credit card to get cash in a foreign country.  Thus, it is often cheaper to buy currency before traveling to a foreign country.

Credit Card Purchases

Using your credit card to make purchases in a foreign country can cause you to get hit with a significant foreign transaction fee even if you do not get a cash advance.  Some banks that issue credit card charge a foreign transaction fee of as much as three percent per purchase made with a credit card in a foreign country.  These fees can add up to substantial amounts of money that you would not be spending if you bought foreign currency at a competitive foreign currency exchange rate before leaving home.

When to Use Your Credit Card

Although banks charge foreign transaction fees for purchases made on a credit card when in a foreign country, using a credit card is still suitable when paying for goods and services such as hotel rooms and other significant expenses which often require that a credit card be on file.  It is important, however, to limit the use of your credit card to only these large purchases.  You should buy currency utilizing a foreign currency exchange to make smaller purchases such as those for meals, tourist attractions, sightseeing, souvenirs and more.

Use XChange Of America to Buy Foreign Currency Online

Instead of paying high credit card fees for cash advances and foreign transaction fees, you can buy foreign currency online from Xchange of America for the latest foreign currency exchange rate before leaving country.  This will allow you to take the cash you need without having to worry about what fees the bank that issues your credit card may charge you for using the card outside of the country.

Foreign Currency Exchange Saves You Money

You are used to dealing with America dollars and many foreign countries will readily accept these dollars when you pay for goods and services.  This does not mean that it is a good idea for you to use American dollars in a foreign country.  It may cost you significantly more to paying in American dollars than it would if you used foreign currency exchange to pay with the currency of the country you are in.  For this reason, it is advisable to buy currency before traveling to a foreign country.  One convenient way to buy currency is to buy foreign currency online trough Xchange of America.

American Dollars and Dynamic Currency Conversion

When making purchases in a foreign country, you may have the option to pay for these purchases with American dollars.  Switching from paying in the local currency of the country to paying in American dollars is a process called dynamic currency conversion.  When a store merchant gives you the option to pay for goods or service in America dollars, the currency exchange rate that the merchant will use is far worse that the currency exchange rate that you can get elsewhere.  Because the currency conversion is taking place at the point of sale, the merchant does not need to offer a competitive foreign exchange rate and can offer foreign currency exchange at the highest rates that are charged.  The merchant is allowing you to have the convenience of not having to buy currency, however, this convenience is coming at a significant price.  The merchant may not even tell you what currency exchange rate he or she is using.

Foreign Transaction Fees and Dynamic Currency Conversion

You may be under the impression that if you use dynamic currency conversion you can escape the foreign transaction fees that many credit cards and debit cards charge when you use them in foreign countries.  This may not be the case.  Many credit card companies will charge you a foreign transaction fee even if you use dynamic currency conversion.  This is because the credit card company’s ability to charge a foreign transaction fee is not limited to instances in which foreign currency is used.  Instead, the credit card or debit card company may charge a foreign transaction fee for every time the card is used in a foreign country regardless of the currency of the purchase.

Save Money and Buy Foreign Currency Online from XChange of America

To avoid the often high cost of dynamic conversion which can be accompanies by foreign transaction fees, it is a good idea to buy foreign currency online before departing on your trip abroad.  This allows you to receive a more favorable currency exchange rate that you would receive through dynamic currency conversion at the point of sale.  XChange of America updates its foreign currency exchange rates daily and does not have hidden fees that can add up to you paying a lot more.  Thus, it is wise for you to buy foreign currency online from XChange of America before traveling to a foreign country.

Buying Foreign Currency from Xchange of America Makes Your Trip Easier

In this day an age of modern technology, you no longer need to stand in long lines at a bank or an airport to buy foreign currency.  You can quickly and easily buy foreign currency online at a competitive foreign currency exchange rate to ensure that you have enough currency to fund your trip.  With all of the other modern conveniences that we have today, an online way to buy currency at a competitive foreign currency exchange rate was bound to come along.  XChange of America offers its customers a reliable way to buy foreign currency online so that they can spend more time planning their trip instead of worrying about where to buy foreign currency.

You No Longer Have to Look for a Place to Exchange Your Cash

When traveling to another country without buying foreign currency in advance, one of the first things that you must do when stepping off of the plane is to locate a place where you can buy currency.  This can be a hassle and cause you to have to stay in an airport in a foreign country for a much longer time than you should be there when you really want to get out and see the sights.  In addition, when making a foreign currency exchange to buy foreign currency in another country the foreign currency exchange rate may not be as good as the rate you could have received had you brought foreign cash with you.  If you buy foreign currency online from XChange of America you no longer have to endure spending time in an airport trying to convert your currency.  XChange of America offers a quick and convenient way to buy currency at a competitive foreign currency exchange rate without leaving your home or your desk at work.

No Longer Do You Have to Wonder Where Your Order Is

XChange of America offers you an easy way to track your order so that you do not need to worry and wonder where your order is when you buy currency from them.  Furthermore, the company offers two convenient shipping options, including a two to three-day shipping option and a one-day shipping option for customers who are pressed for time.  The shipment is delivered to the address you provide when purchasing the currency so that there is no confusion as to where the currency was delivered. This allows you to have foreign currency with you as soon as you get off of the plane because that’s when you are going to start to need it.

XChange of America is Easy To Use

The XChange of America website offers a simply and convenient website on which you can buy foreign currency online.  The site is easy to maneuver with the conversion table set up so that you can easily see the exchange rate for the foreign currency that you are purchasing.  Furthermore, the ‘Point and Click’ technology that the website utilizes makes it difficult for you to get something wrong.  The currency that you order from the site is delivered right to your door.  Just like that, in a few simply steps you can buy foreign currency online from XChange of America.  Who knew that purchasing foreign currency for your next trip could be this easy?  XChange of America is so easy and convenient to use that you can get back to planning ore important parts of your trip.

Why Buy Foreign Currency from Xchange of America

When you are seeking to buy foreign currency online you have several options from websites in which you can obtain foreign currency.  You may be wondering what you should look for in an online foreign currency exchange rate service. XChange of America offers a secure website with foreign currency exchange rates updated daily, fast shipping service and no hidden fees. 

The Advantages of Using Xchange of America to Buy Currency

There are a number of advantages when you buy foreign currency online from Xchange of America instead of using other sellers.  The site uses the latest technology to ensure that your information is safe.  This keeps hackers from being able to obtain data about XChange of America’s customers which they could use for fraudulent activities.

Using this site beats standing in long lines to buy currency.  You don’t have to wait in traffic to get to a bank before it closes to withdraw money for foreign currency exchange; XChange of America offers a convenient online portal from which you can do foreign currency exchange.  Furthermore, their currency exchange rate is updated daily.  The shipping is fast and costs are low.  Moreover, there are a number of ways for you to pay when you buy currency through Xchange of America.

Fast Shipping

When you buy foreign currency online through XChange of America, your currency is shipped to the address you utilized to buy currency unless you wish to pick up the currency at one of XChange of America’s store locations.   Most foreign currency orders are shipped within 24 hours of the payment method used by the purchaser being cleared.  There are several shipping options for which you can choose depending on how fast you need your foreign currency.  You can either choose for your currency to arrive in two to three business days or overnight for $14.99 or $19.99 respectively.  Shipping is even available on Saturday for an additional charge.  The purchaser of the currency does not have to be home to receive shipment, however, a person over the age of 18 is required to be present to sign for the shipment.

A Number of Ways to Pay

XChange of American offers a number of ways to pay when you buy foreign currency online through its site.  For your convenience you can buy foreign currency from XChange of America with a cashier’s check, money order, bank draft, bank wire, or a credit or debit card.  These convenient ways to pay allow you to get your foreign currency before you leave when can often get a better currency exchange rate.

No Hidden Fees

XChange of America’s policies and rates are clearly disclosed on their website.  There are no hidden fees or unexpected expenses that accompany buying foreign currency from XChange of America.  There is a conversion rate calculator on the site so that you know what the rate of conversion is for the currency that you wish to purchase.  In addition, the shipping fees are clearly noted.  XChange of America does not charge any other transaction fees for the purchase of currency through its service.  Therefore, you should buy foreign currency online from XChange of America before going on your next trip to a foreign country.

Why Buy Currency Online

Buying foreign currency online before traveling can save you from finding yourself in a foreign country without cash to spend.  Although you may be under the impression that you can buy currency when you get to another country, this often depends on which country you are traveling to.  Furthermore, countries that do offer convenient ways to purchase foreign currency when you arrive often have long lines which you must wait in to buy currency.

Purchasing Foreign Currency Online Saves Time and Money

The traditional way to buy foreign currency involves taking a trip to the bank to withdraw funds that are converted to foreign currency.  In addition to struggling to get to the bank while it is still open, and waiting in traffic and long lines, there is often a service fee attached when you buy currency in this way.  Thus, you often pay more to buy foreign currency when using a bank than you have pay if you buy foreign currency online.

XChange of America allows you to buy foreign currency online without charging a service fee.  In addition, their exchange rates are updated daily.  Many currency conversion places charge fees and some offer poor conversion rates.  These are things that XChange of America has refused to do to its customers in the interest of providing them with the best service possible.   Thus, buying currency through XChange of America allows you to get a better rate than you would otherwise in addition to saving you time.  Your funds are delivered quickly with reasonably priced delivery so that you do not need to worry about foreign currency and can get back to the important part about planning your trip.

Buy Foreign Currency Before You Leave

It is important when traveling overseas to buy foreign currency before leaving the United States if you want to get the best rates.  This is because foreign banks often exchange currency at less favorable foreign currency exchange rates that the foreign currency exchange rate that you can find in the U.S.  To get the most for your money you must not wait until the last minute.

XChange of America gives you the ability to buy foreign currency at a favorable foreign currency exchange rate around your busy schedule when you are planning to take a trip.  You do not need to take time off from work to go to the bank.  The currency is shipping right to your door.  You don’t even have to be home when the currency arrives, although someone over the age of 18 must sign for it for your protection.

Thus, XChange of America provides convenience when you desire to by foreign currency.  In addition, the rates that we offer are better that the rates you are going to find in a foreign country.  Moreover, unlike other ways of obtaining currency, XChange of America does not charge any extra fees which can add up to you having less money when you return form your trip.  Thus, you should try to purchase your foreign currency from XChange of America before traveling to a foreign country.

Buying Foreign Currency at a Fair Price

When preparing to travel overseas to any country in the world people are careful to pack all of the necessities and sundries they are sure they will need on the trip. But the one thing they forget – particularly if they have never traveled out of the United States before – is that they need to exchange their money for the currency that is used in the country of their destination. While this may not be difficult – it requires a bit of savvy to ensure that you are getting a fair exchange for your dollar.

In many places the dollar is strong. That means when you buy foreign currency you are going to get more of their money for your own. That is what it means when they say – your money goes a long way in certain places.

When you buy foreign currency, also known as making a currency exchange, you are turning your dollars into cash that will use when you are traveling. If you aren’t careful it will be costly and can limit the amount of money you will have available on your trip. There are ways to ensure you get the best bang for your buck – so to speak. For example, if you are in another country and you need money you may wish to withdraw cash from an ATM.

While this may not be the best choice there are some options that are better than others. You may be able to withdraw cash from some ATMs, but there may be several that your bank is not associated with. This can end up costing you significantly more, especially if you make multiple withdrawals, as there may be fees of up to 5 to 10% or more on every transaction. It’s better to buy currency before you head out to a foreign country for business or pleasure.

Another good idea is to order cash in the currency of the country you’re traveling to before you leave. All you need to do is simply place an order at an online currency exchange service like Xchange of America and pick it up when it comes in. If you are too busy to drive to a currency exchange then you may just have it delivered to your home.

Buying foreign currency at a fair price is not always easy. One option that is becoming less popular is purchasing travelers checks. While this may have been the most common choice for carrying money in years gone by this is no longer true. That is because fewer places are accepting travelers checks. You may actually have to take them to a bank in the country of your destination and that could cost you time and money for buying foreign currency in that way as well.

Xchange of America is one of the most popular online services for buying foreign currency, and we can ensure that you have a sufficient quantity of currency in the timeframe that you need it. To learn more about buying foreign currency online, contact us today at 1-888-XOA-XOA.

 

Important Facts About Foreign Currency Exchange

Many people purchase currency online before they travel, and foreign currency exchange has become one of the biggest businesses in the world with an increasing amount of global travel and a more globalized society.

It’s important to purchase the currency of the country that you are traveling to prior to heading out; this way you won’t be stuck without having a sufficient amount of cash for expenses that might pop up. You have to remember that although some places may take U.S. dollars or whatever else your native currency is, there may be other places that don’t. To avoid having to make a last minute detour and trying to find an exchange abroad, you should be sure to purchase currency ahead of time before your trip.

One tip to remember is that when a country raises their interest rates this will cause their foreign currency rate to rise, and when they announce the lowering of interest rates the currency exchange rate will fall. But, the world itself is a volatile place and it is hard to make predictions long term. Take for example the unease of the euro today. Only several years ago it was considered one of the strongest foreign currencies in the world.

So the currency exchange rate will fluctuate based on these factors and other factors. You’ll notice that the rates on Xchange of America will change from time to time, and this is because of the fact that the exchange rates fluctuate. In spite of this, you can time your currency purchase to get the most foreign currency for the lowest amount of money.

You do not need to venture solo into buying foreign currency all on your own. You can choose to work with a company that has expertise in this area. In other words, you can work with a company like Xchange of America that has employees who schooled in foreign exchange currency and allow them to do the research and exchanges for you or on your behalf.

We have the expertise to be able to advise you on the best time to purchase the currency of the country that you’re traveling to, and we can provide you with any specific information that you need to know based on your requirements.

It’s always a smart decision to carry a sufficient amount of currency with you prior to traveling, and you’ll find that you can not only save a lot of money if you do this, but that your trip will often be easier. You won’t get stuck not having enough currency for transportation, food, and many other types of expenditures, and you’ll be able to get around with ease.

It can be difficult to find a suitable currency exchange service before you travel, but Xchange of America is one of the leading services in the world, and we can definitely help you no matter what your requirements are. To learn more about the currency exchange services provided by Xchange of America or to ask any questions at all, contact us today at 1-888-XOA-XOA.

Figure Out the Currency Exchange Rate

One of the most interesting economic lessons in life occurs when you travel internationally. Americans are so used to using the dollar they hardly realize that other countries have their own type of currency. Therefore, when you travel and stay somewhere other than the United States you have to use the money for that country. For example, in Britain it’s the pound and across Europe it’s the euro. When money is changed there is not always an ‘even-up’ scenario where one dollar is the same as an equal amount of the currency of the country of destination.

The cost of changing money from one country to another is called the exchange rate and these fluctuate constantly from day to day and week to week. That is because ‘exchange’ is traded on the open market and as a result the price of this currency can go up or down just like stocks or gold.

One quick lesson in exchange may occur when you cross the border into Canada or Mexico. Then you will see how ‘far your dollar goes’ when you buy or exchange your American dollar for a Canadian dollar or peso. Too, the exchange rate you receive on the market may be different than what you are offered at – perhaps – a bank. It behooves the exchanger to determine if they are getting a fair exchange. There is a way to decide this with just a little research.

The ‘currency-savvy’ are well aware that money is being bought and sold everyday by institutions and traders. It’s not rocket science, it’s a simple trade of one currency for another. Say, for example, you wanted to buy British Pounds or GBP, you would need to use another form of currency to do so. And that doesn’t mean you have to use the American dollar. Traders exchange all types of currency from all over the world so any currency is a legitimate option for exchange. Now, whatever currency is being used to buy another – together these form a ‘currency pair’. For example, if American dollars are used to buy the Canadian dollar the exchange rate would read like this: “USD/CAD pair”.

Now, if the exchange rate for this pair is perhaps 1.0888 that means that it would cost 1.0888 Canadian dollars to buy 1 United States dollars. If you look at the way the pair is written the first currency listed is meant to represent a single unit of that currency – in this case the dollar. When written out the second currency is the exchange rate or amount that is needed to buy one unit of the first currency. The formula is basic math – ‘1/exchange rate’.

For this pair the equation is 1/1.0888 = 0.91844 or in order to buy one Canadian dollar you only need less than one American dollar to make the exchange. When the exchange is made the position of the currencies is then switched – so it would read “CAD/USD”.

To learn more about currency exchanges contact Xchange of America today at 1-888-7-XOA-XOA.

 

 

 

Learning About Currency Exchange Rates

When you want to exchange your American currency for another because you may be planning to travel outside the country you will usually go to a bank and get a currency exchange rate when they convert the money for you. Because the amount of the exchange is small, and you are an individual, it is unlikely you will get the same price as a trader who is making the exchange on the market. Instead, expect that the bank or currency exchange house will charge you more for the exchange. In other words they will mark up the price of the money for which you are changing. This allows them to make a profit. Expect the same treatment when you use credit cards in another country or even such companies as PayPal, a payment service provider, if you turn to them for a currency exchange.

In a previous blog we used a hypothetical example that claimed the “USD/CAD pair” was 1/1.0888 which results in the currency exchange rate being “0.91844/1” when the money is changed. However, it is very likely that the cost to buy one Canadian dollar could be perhaps as much as 1.1. The difference between the currency exchange rate and the market exchange rate is what the bank takes in in profit. There is a formula for figuring this as well. Simply subtract the two exchange rates and divide the amount by the market exchange rate – then multiple by 100.

The foreign exchange market – forex or FX – is a highly volatile and constantly changing market in which to trade. For the inexperienced trader you should know that it only takes a second to lose money. The forex is also an excellent choice for the market-savvy who understand currency trends and follow them. There is no question that currency exchange rates do follow patterns that can last days, weeks or even years, and when you know how these patterns who you can benefit from buying currency at particular times.

The FX is actually the largest market in the world in terms of volume of exchange. However, at this level the ‘players’ are generally international banks and financial centers. It is important to note that the forex or foreign exchange market is not responsible for setting or determining the value of different currencies. It only sets the market price as it currently appears when the value of one currency is demanded against another.

There are a few other points of interest for a trader to know about currency exchange rate and conversion. It is estimated that upwards of 5 trillion dollars a day occur on forex. The spread among trading institutions is generally quite tight – otherwise no money could be made. Even when banks quote the exchange rates for their best clients the corporations requesting the exchange should not expect anything more than narrow spreads. Customers who are going to travel abroad and want to exchange their money should know this in advance.