Eurotravelers...

[Spiky Bugger]

@hilary1617

So, somebody in Denmark paid in advance for something I want to pay for. The tab comes to about 4800DK, which is about $688. MiniSue will be going there soon, so taking USD and changing to local currency is an option, but she likes to carry as little cash as possible. The online services add fees close to $100.

Any suggestions for changing US dollars in the U. S. to Danish Kroner in Copenhagen, without paying a hundred bucks in fees? I think I can buy a prepaid credit card in kroner, but that probably ain't cheap either.

 

[hilary1617]

Hmmm.... When travelling internationally, I typically just use my debit card either at an ATM to withdraw local currency or at point of sale - as the foreign exchange rates at my bank are decent and they don't charge any fees. Another option to consider for person-to-person payments would be an outbound international wire transfer directly from your or Mini Sue's bank accounts. Check with your banks for FX rates and transaction fees.

Hope you enjoy your purchase and Mini Sue enjoys her travels!

 

[harrietvane]

Pay via Paypal? Not sure what the fees are, though - but that's how I always send money to folks.

 

[Clematis]

I'm in Italy as I type this. I just use debit card in ATM (known here as bancomat) as I have done in France, Greece, UK and soon Netherlands. I have no transaction fees. I don't know if this is free for everyone but I have a lot of money with my bank so get preferred service. If you do have a fee it is usually a flat fee per withdrawal so take out as much as you need for entire trip and keep excess in hotel room safe. Call your bank and credit cards and tell them MiniSue is going to "X" countries and when (I do this online) as otherwise they will think it's fraudulent and freeze the card. Oh many ATMs here have $400 per day limit so she may have to do it over 2 days.

 

[Marquis Mark]

I second the above. I've used my ATM card in Korea, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Lebanon and all over Europe, etc. The local bank may charge (although that hasn't been my experience) but the credit union back home doesn't charge anything. You just get whatever the exchange rate is that day. You might also take a few hundred in US currency as a back up. Airports charge more than a bank in town would.

Bon voyage!

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Thanks, All.

The backstory here is that MiniSue did a semester in Denmark in college (she's almost 42 now) and chose to live with a host family. She was their third foreign student and the first two didn't mesh well with the family. She meshed. The following summer, they sent one of their daughters to us. The next year the whole damned family came out. So then Mr. Sue and I got even by going to Denmark. This relationship has been going on for over 20 years now, to the point that MiniSue is "proud to be a Dane," (and a bit confused.) For a while, MiniSue worked for Lufthansa, so she was forevermore popping in on them.

I was making it complicated because I refuse to use debit cards. (Fewer legal protections than a credit card, harder to get charges reversed.)

But MiniSue uses one and so does her boyfriend. So...they will check on daily withdrawal limits...and I'll either give MiniSue the money, or give each of them half the money. (MiniSue's Danish younger sister has already paid for everything.)

The "thing" I'm buying is Legoland in Billund, Denmark. Not the whole park, but transportation from their primary location in Denmark, two rooms (for a family of three and a family of four) at a nearby themed family-type hostel (they are a frugal bunch and didn't know a gift was enroute), and park admission for seven--MiniSue, her guy, his daughter MiniSue's Danish younger sister, her guy and her two kids. So, quite a bargain for $700. Here, it would cover the park and some gas money and all seven would have to sleep in the car!!

Anyway, thanks for the help.

 

[Clematis]

Aren't you a nice mommy!

BTW I don't use debit cards. This is just my ATM card which I guess could be debit too but I've never used it that way.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

Aren't you a nice mommy!

BTW I don't use debit cards. This is just my ATM card which I guess could be debit too but I've never used it that way.

1--occasionally.

2--if it has the Visa (or whatever) logo, it is apparently both. We get those, call the bank, yell, and get plain, logo-less ATM cards which we have almost no reason to use. We pretty much live on one Visa cards. We use it anyplace that will accept it. Even when, for example, I COULD pay the cell phone bill through the phone company's website, I don't. I just add it to my online bill paying through the bank because all of the records are in one place...and...you know...points. I get depressed when I have to use a different card. I tried to charge $4000 for A/C ductwork and the card got declined...twice! I put it on an AmEx card (which also has points) but still called the bank to whine. Turned out the A/C company had the wrong expiration date but the bank did something wrong, too...so they will give me my 4000 points.

My sister, who still pays all of her bills with checks and envelopes and stamps, has a brain stuck in the early days of points; she says it's "too much trouble" and "too much math." All I do is push a button and the bank gives me a credit for a couple hundred dollars. But, of course, every month she also pays dearly for a second landline, dedicated to a fax machine they use maybe twice a year. So...she's younger than I, but still working on closing out the 20th Century.

 

[bearmom]

I second Clematis advice for the best deal as far as bank, conversion fees and security. Also like Clematis, I get a good deal on my card through my bank so maybe not all cards will get the same freebies, but it's worth shopping around for a travel card.

 

[kirmy]

@hilary1617

So, somebody in Denmark paid in advance for something I want to pay for. The tab comes to about 4800DK, which is about $688. MiniSue will be going there soon, so taking USD and changing to local currency is an option, but she likes to carry as little cash as possible. The online services add fees close to $100.

Any suggestions for changing US dollars in the U. S. to Danish Kroner in Copenhagen, without paying a hundred bucks in fees? I think I can buy a prepaid credit card in kroner, but that probably ain't cheap either.

She's welcome to stay at mine at any time.

Just use your ATM card but make sure the bank knows she's travelling or they may block her cards.

 

[Spiky Bugger]

She's welcome to stay at mine at any time.

Just use your ATM card but make sure the bank knows she's travelling or they may block her cards.

Thanks, Luv. She apparently is of two worlds and has parents, two sisters, a brother-in-law, nieces and nephews--and places to stay--in Denmark. It's her guy's (and his daughter's) first visit there, so Legoland, Tivoli Gardens, Castle tours and Viking museums are using up tbe whole trip! And hey! Word is out that you were buying a new home. I will need details!

 

[kirmy]

Yup in the process of buying a property with 2.5 acres in the country near Stirling. It is cool!