Currency conversion
 

I'm trying to sort out the best place to convert CAD to USD and MXN before a trip in the new year. Obviously my bank will do it for a certain percentage fee, but I'm wondering if some banks are better than others or if there's a better way to do it.

VBCE


/thread

Live Currency Rates - Everforex - Foreign Currency Exchange|Online Currency Trading|FX Rates and Charts|Vancouver Richmond Burnaby Surrey

Charlies Currency Exchange, Vancouver, BC

dont bother getting mxn.. wait till u get to mexico.

it actually depends where u go.. vbce is good for usd.. thats about it

We bought ours in Mexico at a currency exchange place.

were they better rates?
and did you use USD or CAD to exchange?

Everforex by oakridge mall.

Found the rates were on par or better then VBCE

Banks will sometimes match rates if you bring one. Depends on the amount/rate compared to theirs/teller. (If you get a nice teller. he can play with the numbers to see the best rate he can give you)

USD to convert

It depends how much you are going to convert.

VBCE has the best rates around but it's hardly worth driving almost anywhere.

The very best rate, VBCE sells today at 1.4240, the very worst fully posted bank rate is 1.4427. That difference is only $18 if you bought $1000usd for your trip, hardly worth going anywhere out of your way by the time you value your time and pay for gas.

Mark

The best way to go is through KnightsbridgeFX. Their rates are good and their fees are low.

Bumping an old thread.

Going to thailand in a few weeks and I don't really know how currency exchanges work but is it usually cheaper to exchange in Canada first? I'm looking online at some Thai banks currency exchange rates and they seem better than the rates here through VBCE.

Exchange there. It'll be very close to Google rates
You can exchange some at the airport when you land then look for one of their main exchange companies.

actually VBCE has very poor rate for Mexican Peso.. The best rate I found was from HSBC but because of the hassle, I ended up using Charlie's. VBCE does have good rate for USD though.

Three things to remember when exchanging in Thailand.

1. Always bring crisp currency with no tears whatsoever. Any tears or even slight folding mark, they will either refuse the currency or charge you extra fees.

2. Always bring higher denom bills. They give you unfavorable rate for $20, $10, etc.. Personally, I will stick with $100. It's easier to carry anyway.

3. Before walking away from the exchange place, make sure you count the money they gave you. They have tons of tricks that they use to rip you off. Even if the currency guy counted in front of you, once they hand you the money, you count it again, regardless if there's lineup behind you. It is very common for currency exchange place to try to rip you off in Thailand. Once you walk out of sight, you are SOL.