You will find that our rates of exchange will most likely be better than those offered by any other foreign exchange company or bank, here or abroad.

It is very important to be prepared with local currency for all initial expenses such as transportation, tips, food and drinks upon arrival.

Our convenient ordering system allows you to place your order at any time and to receive the currency at your home or office well in advance of your departure. Avoid long lines and poor rates at airports, hotels and banks abroad

Orders may be placed online at any time, day or night. During normal business hours, agents are available to take your order by phone. Simply call us, toll free at 888-278-6628 and we will be pleased to take and process your order.

In our retail office, we accept cash, checks and credit cards. Telephone and Online orders can be paid by either checks or credit cards.

Since a merchant fee applies to credit card payments, orders paid by cash or check will always reflect a preferential rate of exchange as compared to those paid by credit cards.

That varies of course greatly from individual to individual. Suffice it to say, that in view of the increased cost of using credit cards and ATMs, as well as the generally high price levels abroad, you may now consider bringing 50% more in local currency than you would have done just a year ago. 

Most international airports have foreign exchange windows; however, it is probably the most expensive place to exchange your money.
A recent article in the Los Angeles Times compared the rates offered by International Currency Express to those at the airport, and found the airport to be almost 10% more expensive.
If you must make the exchange at the airport, it may be best to change only enough to allow you to reach a bank once you arrive at your destination.

No, they are not. While this may have been true at one time, it is no longer the case. Banks abroad are keenly aware of the weakening dollar and adjust their rates accordingly. They usually have high service charges as well.   Contrary to companies like International Currency Express, foreign banks are not concerned with service and competitive rates in order to build a good reputation and secure repeat customers.

A few years ago, most credit cards substantially increased the rate of exchange used to calculate the US dollar equivalent of charges made in a foreign currency. In addition, most credit cards recently added a 3% surcharge to all transactions made abroad. While convenient, using your credit card abroad is becoming a very expensive proposition, and many US travelers elect to carry more foreign cash now than used to be the case.

You will also find that credit cards can not always be used abroad for items such a meal in a small restaurant or bar, museum entry fees, transaportation, etc. making it vitally important to have enough local currency on hand.

ATM withdrawals of foreign currencies used to be transacted at relatively competitive rates. Recently, many banks have increased the transaction fee to as high as $5.00 per withdrawal, and more and more banks are applying surcharges that can reach 3% when withdrawals are made abroad.

While convenient, ATM withdrawals are no longer particularly good deals for travelers.

Also, keep in mind that it may not be as easy to find an ATM in a foreign country as it is in the USA.

 

If you plan to use an ATM when traveling abroad, always make sure that your current PIN is accepted in a foreign country. Some cards require a special international PIN number.

The rates that you find on the Internet or read in the newspapers are generally termed Inter Bank Settlement Rates, meaning that they only apply to multi million dollar size transactions between banks. Retail customers and travelers do not have access to these rates either here in the US or abroad. 

Published rates also normally reflect the prior day's trading and will therefore be unreliable and out of date

If your trip has been cancelled we will at all times attempt to pay a preferential rate on the currencies returned in order to minimize your loss.
If your currency order did not reach you in time, please call one of our representatives to discuss the return of your order and your reimbursement.

Yes, we will. You can either visit our retail office in Beverly Hills, or you can mail the currency back to us via USPS Registered Insured Mail (no coins please).

Please include a record of the amount of currency you are sending as well as your name and address. We will purchase the currency and mail you a US dollar check for the counter value.

 

For certain size transactions, The USA Patriot Act and other various laws and regulations, require that Money Services Businesses collect basically the same information from its clients as is required when opening a bank account.

We understand how important online security is to you. Whenever you complete an online application or send us other sensitive information, it is encrypted through Secure Socket Layer (SSL). SSL technology secretly encodes information that is being sent over the Internet between your computer and International Currency Express, helping to ensure that the information remains confidential. After you have submitted your application online, we recommend that you end your browser session before leaving your computer.

Our office is located at 427 North Camden Drive in Beverly Hills, CA, where we are open to the public Monday to Friday from 8AM to 5PM
Tel.: 310-278-6628 or 888-278-6628
We inventory close to 40 different currencies at all times and minor currencies may be ordered if not immediately available. While we do not require an appointment, it is advisable to call in advance regarding the availability of exotic currencies in order to avoid multiple trips.

The euro is now the legal currency in:

 

Austria                                      Republic of Ireland (NOT Northern Ireland)

Belgium                                     Italy

Finland                                      Luxembourg

France                                      Portugal

Germany                                   Slovenia

Greece                                      Spain

Holland (The Netherlands)           Malta

Cyprus                                   

We are sure that everyone abroad will be pleased to receive a tip in any currency. However, leaving a tip in US dollars is not always the best way. Especially in Europe, a tip in the local currency is much more appreciated, since exchanging dollars into the local currency has become very expensive, and much of the tip is lost to transaction fees.