How To Save Money And Get The Best Exchange Rate While Traveling Abroad

I belong to numerous travel pages on Facebook and elsewhere, having seen many posts asking about the best way to exchange moneys while traveling abroad. Here is one I found on Facebook recently:

"Can I change my US$ to Yen (in Japan) somewhere or should I change it here (in the US)?"

Being the host of a popular travel blog and YouTube channel, I have traveled to 43 countries so far. In my experience, you ALWAYS get a much better exchange rate though ATMs (versus currency exchanges) using a globally accepted debit card (e.g. Mastercard / Cirrus or Visa / Plus). My bank (USAA) reimburses me up to $15 per month for other bank's ATM usage fees in the US, but overseas they charge a 1% fee (per ATM transaction) and DO NOT reimburse ATM usage fees abroad any longer.

However, due to the prevalence of pickpockets in many tourist areas, I prefer carrying as little cash as necessary and using a credit card with NO FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES. The exchange rate is equally as low (as debit cards) and cards can be replaced quickly (within 2-3 days in some cases) and easily by calling a local toll free number (take a picture of the front and back of your cards so you have all of the necessary information). I misplaced a Chase Visa card in England last January and had my replacement card in just two days. 

When all is said and done, the best way to pay for travel is with a rewards credit card (paid in-full every payment cycle of course) for most purchases and an international debit card for ATM withdrawals in order to have cash available for merchants that do not accept credit cards (which is very common in countries like India). Keep only enough cash on you to cover a meal or purchase of under $100 and you will not be too disappointed if you happen to find your wallet missing after a crowded bus or metro ride.

Happy travels!

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Title: How To Save Money And Get The Best Exchange Rate While Traveling Abroad

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FedEx "ONE RATE" Rated "DECEPTIVE" ... Can You Say "BAIT AND SWITCH"?

FedEx "ONE RATE" Rated "DECEPTIVE" ... Can You Say "BAIT AND SWITCH"?

1. FedEx Office Print & Ship Center
3. Address: 911 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044

   Phone:(785) 843-8019

   Prices:

   $$$$$

   Hours:

    

    M-F 7:00 am – 11:00 pm

   
   

First of all, the FedEx website is confusing and difficult to use. I have an account, but have to enter data over and over even after "saving" it. I recently created two shipments, one going and one return, using the same information, but when I got to the store realized that I was being charged an extra $2.31 for the return shipment even though it was being delivered to the same city it was being shipped from (Lawrence).

FedEx advertises "one low price" ("as low as $7.50") for envelopes, but my envelopes cost $12+ and $14+ for a total of $26 ... NOT $15! They state on their website:

"FedEx One Rate ... Simple, flat rate shipping with the reliability of FedEx"

But their website is anything but "simple" and it is obviously not a "flat rate" because they charge different prices depending on where the envelope is going.

I asked about the price discrepancy at Kinkos, but was told "oh, that's just the way it is" and was not offered a refund or new shipping labels at the cheaper "one rate". Customer service at this location is sketchy with reps having little if any knowledge of FedEx processes or pricing. In-fact, the employee told me "next time, just come to the counter and we'll take care of it for you", but when I did just that a few weeks back I was told "go to the computer over there and print your own labels". I then spent 30 minutes trying to navigate the website, re-enter "saved" information, and print the labels.

CombatCritic Gives FedEx Kinko's (Lawrence, Kansas) 3 Bombs Out Of 10

Key Words: FedEx Kinko's, fedEx, Kinko's, Kinko, Fed, Ex, shipping, envelope, tracking, delivery, confirmation, shipment, OneRate, one, rate, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value