Airport exchange booths can quietly take 10–15% of every dollar you convert. See exactly how much you're losing — and which method costs almost nothing.
Mid-market rate ≈ $1.0870 per EUR. Rates are approximate and for comparison only.
Converting $500 at an airport booth costs you approximately $50.00 in hidden fees (10%). Using Wise instead saves you $47.50 on this transaction.
Converting to Euro (EUR)
€414
you receive for $500
Airport bureaux de change and hotel desks typically offer 8–12% worse than mid-market rate. The rate displayed never includes their spread.
€435
you receive for $500
High-street banks and exchange shops typically offer 4–7% spread plus a flat commission. Better than airports but not by much.
€460
you receive for $500
Standard credit cards (most US and UK cards) charge a 3% foreign transaction fee on every purchase. You get mid-market rate minus 3%.
€460
you receive for $500
Withdrawing cash at a local ATM using your home debit card gives mid-market rate. The flat ATM fee ($3–5) is the only cost — so take larger amounts less often.
€458
you receive for $500
Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges only ~0.5% conversion fee. Excellent for large purchases or sending money abroad.
€460
you receive for $500
Revolut and similar neobanks offer mid-market rates with no fees (weekdays). Weekend markup of ~0.5% applies. Free monthly ATM limit (~£200–400 depending on plan).
Each one sounds reasonable. None of them are.
Get a no-fee travel card before you go
Wise, Revolut, Monzo (UK), Charles Schwab (US), or a travel credit card with no foreign transaction fee. This alone saves you 3–12% on every transaction.
Use your card for most purchases — always in local currency
Decline DCC every single time. Pay local currency. Your card's exchange rate is far better than any merchant conversion.
Withdraw cash strategically from local ATMs
Take $200–300 at a time from local ATMs (not airport ATMs) to cover vendors who don't take cards. Always decline their conversion offer.