Wells Fargo Foreign Currency

Traveling abroad? 

Don't spend valuable vacation time buying currency when you can arrive ready.

AAA has over 70 types of foreign currency available for purchase before you travel so you’ll be prepared for taxis, tips, and souvenir shopping. Best of all, members can avoid the long lines, high fees, and unfavorable exchange rates that can be encountered abroad.*

Foreign Currency must be ordered in person at a branch location, no phone or online orders.  Shipping can take up to 3 business days in most cases, so be sure to allow enough time to receive your cash before your trip. Currency purchases less than $200 have a $10 shipping fee, and amounts greater than $200 USD are shipped free to the branch location.

Foreign Currency Tips

Ordering foreign currency though AAA.

• Foreign Currency must be ordered in person at a branch location, no phone or online orders. AAA Northeast members, in good standing for one or more years with AAA Northeast, may also use a personal check from a bank in the AAA Northeast territory for the purchase of Foreign Currency up to $3,000.  There is a 14 day waiting period before another check may be used, regardless of the amount of the first check. Business checks are not accepted. 
  
   
• Shipping can take up to 3 business days in most cases, so be sure to allow enough time to receive your cash before your trip. Currency purchases less than $200 have a $10 shipping fee, and amounts greater than $200 USD are shipped free to the branch location.

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!