Travel Money Check™ helps you compare the real cost of spending, withdrawing, exchanging, or sending money internationally. Follow these four steps before choosing a bank, card, ATM, currency exchange, or money-transfer service.
Step 1: Check the Market Exchange Rate
Use the currency converter to find the estimated market exchange rate between your home currency and the currency you need. Treat this rate as your starting point—not necessarily the rate a bank, card issuer, ATM, or exchange counter will give you.
Step 2: Identify Every Fee
Look beyond the advertised exchange rate. Check for foreign transaction fees, exchange-rate markups, ATM operator fees, bank withdrawal fees, transfer fees, service charges, and dynamic currency conversion costs.
Step 3: Compare the Total Cost
Calculate how much money you will actually receive—or how much the transaction will cost—after the exchange-rate markup and every fee are included. Compare the final amount across several providers instead of comparing advertised rates alone.
Step 4: Choose the Best Overall Option
Select the option that provides the best combination of total cost, convenience, speed, security, and consumer protection. The cheapest advertised rate is not always the least expensive or safest choice.
Before You Complete the Transaction
Review the final exchange rate and all fees immediately before confirming. Rates and charges can change, so verify the total amount you will pay and the amount the recipient will receive.