TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin favor please

If anyone in the near future happens to be passing a foreign exchange place could you please find out what the rates are(I know it changes but get a rough idea) plus their commission terms, etc, etc.
Exchanging dollars for Euros.
Much appreciated.
Bran.

Like the kind in an airport? Those are usually trouble. On average they try to make about 15 percent on the exchange. A bank or credit union typically tries to make about 7 percent on the exchange. Last year I wanted t take 1,000 euros to Europe on vacation and figured it would cost me about $1,137 USD. Using a bank for this transaction, the actual amount was $1,215 as I recall. So, that was like 6.9%. However, when I was at Cleveland Hopkins International airport their currency exchange desk would have charged me $1,290 when I enquired a short time later. I will try to find this out for you at today's rates ... how soon do you need to know?

Not the airport...........at the exchange places. Saw one in Marigot the last time. No rush, not leaving until Mid May. Many thx.

We usually bring some cash and use US dollars. Mostly charge on credit card which does not charge foreign fee. Thoughts?

Me too, but as I posted on another thread, going to France after trip to SXM by way of London. Was originally staying in London for a week and taking the Euro train. have a UK Bank acct in London and the street exchange boys give good, pounds for euros(reasonable) rates there. Not exchanging dollars for Euros at the airport in Heathrow as at the last minute got a great price going to Marseilles a few hours after we landed in London and therefore only have the opportunity of getting Euros from the airport which is a no, no. Don't have a debit card for the ATM machines, only CC's. But sure I can make a deal with a few french restaurant owners in SXM to exchange about $1000.00 worth, so I thought of the exchange places in SXM and if I have to cough up about 7% extra..C'est la Vie. My fault for not thinking this through.

If the Banque de France offices in French St. Martin match their posted online currency exchange rates, presently that rate is $1.1295 U.S. dollars per euro. And, that matches what today's exchange rate which is at .89 euros per USD. With that said I don't know if you'll get that if you visit one of their offices in Marigot or Grand Case. Maybe someone else out there knows if they restrict this service only to account holders or charge a fee for doing this. Personally, I have never exchange to euros directly on St. Martin. If needed, I convert USD to euros at my local bank in the states.

Thx Sammy....Where am at I would have to order the Euros from my Bank, they don't keep them on tap and not sure how that works out, but will inquire but if there is a small commission fee from what you have stated at Banque de France, that's pretty good. Appreciate it.

Are you open to doing a withdraw from an ATM instead of carrying hard cash?

Dont have a debit card.

Depending on the issuing bank, you can withdraw from an ATM and not have a debit card. I have a specific ATM card that is NOT a debit card and can make transactions with it. No idea in your case.

Thx... didn't know that. Will have to check.

Very interesting............never used an ATM so all new to me. Spoke with AE and they will forward me my pin number. No foreign transaction fees. 3% on the transaction plus whatever the particular ATM Company charges.
Chase sapphire preferred(who a poster previously mentioned was good) made a meal of it. 5% transaction fee plus mumbled on about interest on my account.(24%) I lost interest going further with this conversation as AE have my bank account details on file and took 3 minutes of a conversation whilst Chase tried to sell me another card for any member of my family..............One learns every day. Thx to all and Ruralcarrier. getting old fast.

Good deal. I only started using an ATM when a local branch closed but kept the ATM, until 2 weeks ago. They issued a card just for ATM use and it is good at any ATM. There are two other ATM's where I live and the issuing bank will reimburse the fees , up to 10 transactions per month and probably more if I need to push the issue. Using the ATM was new to me also. Good luck.