Where can get Euros without paying a fee?

[FigmentSpark]

BMO charges $10 every time you request Euros. Does anyone know where I can get them without paying that fee? Do any of the banks keep them on reserve? Were in the GTA area, if that helps. Thanks.

 

[Disney Addicted]

Wow, really? What about those currency exchange places in malls? The Oshawa Centre has one. They usually charge an exchange rate just a bit cheaper than banks. I don't believe they have an additional fee.

EDIT: I just phoned them (Continental Currency Exchange). She said they charge a $2 fee plus whatever the current exchange rate on the "selling rate". If you get a membership card with them (need to show your Driver's license), the $2 fee is waived and a 1/4 of a cent of the exchange rate is knocked off as well.

 

[FigmentSpark]

$2 is nothing compared to the $10 my bank wants. We're on the other side, though. I wonder if there's still a place in Square One that does currency exchange?

Edit: Square One Currency Exchange charges $4.95. But that's still better than $10!

 

[FigmentSpark]

Woohoo! Thanks! There's a Continental Currency Exchange in Mapleview, which is near me and, yes, it's only a $2 service fee. Thanks.

 

[Disney Addicted]

You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help!

 

[dis_guy]

When we were in Europe, IIRC, as long as you used a debit card (not a credit card) any bank ATM would just do the conversion without any added fees. That was 2013, though, I'd be interested in any more recent experiences.

 

[kiford]

We always just use our debit card to withdraw from our bank account. All banks in Europe have ATMs and there are also usually ones near or in the ports. We haven't acquired Euros from our bank for a while. We just use what we have left over from a previous trip and use our cards when we get there.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Wasn't there a bank fee for using foreign ATMs? Or am I just thinking of credit cards, which would carry a cash advance fee?

 

[FigmentSpark]

Woohoo! I got my cash for no fee! Thanks for the tip, @Disney Addicted. Their US rate was cheaper than the bank, too.

 

[marchingstar]

if anyone else is ever looking, i’m pretty sure there was no fee at AMA/CAA.

you need a membership though.

 

[FigmentSpark]

if anyone else is ever looking, i’m pretty sure there was no fee at AMA/CAA.

you need a membership though.

I phoned them and they do not have it on site at my location. Also they just took the ATM out in Nov due to lack of use. Naturally, they said, people have been asking for it quite a lot since then.

 

[marchingstar]

I phoned them and they do not have it on site at my location. Also they just took the ATM out in Nov due to lack of use. Naturally, they said, people have been asking for it quite a lot since then.

haha, oh. i guess calling in advance is a good idea then! my location only had a certain amount on hand, but it was enough for me (like someone else suggested above, i just asked my bank which ATMs I could use without a fee, and took bills out as i needed them).

 

[dis_guy]

Wasn't there a bank fee for using foreign ATMs? Or am I just thinking of credit cards, which would carry a cash advance fee?

I checked with DW and she confirmed it. No extra fee to use a debit card at an ATM just as @kiford described above. We did it in the UK, France, and Italy in 2013.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Thanks. That would make a good back up.