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One of the most common problems when exchanging money for a trip is to decide the amount you want to exchange. Now, with our new Buy Back service, you can buy the currency you need and we will buy back your leftover currency at the same rate. You won’t pay extra fees or lose money on the exchange. We will tell you how to do it.

What is the buy back service about?

The Buy Back service consists of getting the refund for your leftover currencies after your trip, with the same original rate you paid for it. In other words, if you paid €0.91 for each Dollar you bought, we will pay you 0.91€ for each Dollar you take back. Without paying a different rate or losing money for the currency you didn’t use.

What are the requirements of the Buy Back service?

The requirements are very easy:

• You must be a registered client
• Your currency purchase must be over €750
• You must keep your receipt
• We buy back maximum 30% of the original amount
• You have a 30 natural days limit to make the refund

Moreover you must know that this service is valid for any of our foreign currencies (remember Euro is our local currency) without exceptions. And it’s valid for purchases made at any of our branches where we sell currency and also for online purchases.

How can I refund my leftover currency?

To get the refund of your leftover currency you must go to your nearest Eurochange money exchange office. Then we will check you meet the requirements and we will give you the refund giving you the Euros back in cash.

E.g.

On January 20th you buy 900 Dollars for your trip and you pay 819 Euros with a rate of 0.910€ for each Dollar. Finally you only use 700 Dollars and you want to sell back your leftover 200 Dollars on your return on February 17th.

You come to your nearest branch and we check the requirements:

• You are a registered client
• Your original purchase is over 750€
• You have the original receipt
• 200 Dollar is 182 Euros, under the 30% of the total
• The date is inside the term of 30 days

Great! You meet all the requirements so we will buy your Dollars back and give you a refund of 182 Euros. With the same rate you bought them.

Do you still have any doubt? Contact us and we will solve it quickly.

When we travel, most of us have doubts about the money to take for the trip. Do I take all the money from the trip in cash? Is it better to bring a card to pay during my trip abroad? Do I take part of my travel money in cash and another on a card?

If you have ever asked yourself any of these questions, today we will try to solve them.

On a recent trip by some of our colleages from Eurochange abroad (to the United States), we decided to test the different payment options that currently exist to see which was the most reliable option for a trip. This is their experience.

Cash, bank card or prepaid card?

“For our trip we prepared the money in the following way: we took a part of the money, like 1/3 of the total, in cash (to pay the expenses of meals, purchases, displacements,…) and we put the other part, something more than 2/3 of the total, in a prepaid card like Revolut / Bnext that are very popular among travelers (to make the largest payments, hotels,…), in addition to carrying our two bank cards: a debit card (which we carry by default in the wallet) and the credit one (to pay for the rental car and if any unforeseen event arises). ”

Everything was going well until the problem came…

“During the first days we made several payments in cash and with the prepaid card. In two places (an ice cream shop and a vending machine) we tried to pay with the prepaid card but the operation was not authorized. We didn't give it any importance since we thought it was due to a reading problem on the devices, not a problem on the card. In other places we had paid with the same card without problem. So since they were small amounts, we managed to pay in cash.

The problem came when we went to rent our car to continue the trip. In this case it was mandatory to give a credit card and the company did not accept payments or deposits in cash. We already had a previous reservation, but even so, they had to pass the card through the reader to confirm it.

They passed the credit card and told us that the payment was not authorised. We tried again and they told us the same. We tried with the bank debit card with the same response. We asked them to try once more with the prepaid card and it was neither authorised.

So after several attempts (queuing at the counter and approaching dangerously at the maximum time to reach the next destination on our trip) we called the bank. In the bank they inform us of something we did not know:

The cards we use can have three types of technology: magnetic stripe, chip or contactless. Depending on the card they have one, two or all three options. In Europe, the two safest technologies are used: the chip or the contactless. And European cards usually have anti-fraud protection so that payments cannot be made with the magnetic strip, since it is very easy to counterfeit. If this protection is not deactivated, the card does not work with the magnetic stripe, as was our case.

The matter is that in the United States they not only continue using the magnetic stripe, but the most common is that payment systems read only the magnetic stripe. In fact in very few places they had machines to read the chip or to make the payment with contactless.

Then we realized that the times that we had cancelled transactions with the prepaid card was in the same situation, in POS terminals that read only the magnetic stripe. Please, remember that in 90% of the establishments they had only magnetic stripe readers with no option to read the chip or contactless. ”

Outcome

“Finally, after several warnings of how dangerous it was in a 15-minute call from abroad, in our bank they deactivated the protection of the magnetic stripe for the rest of the days of the trip with which we could use the credit card to rent the car.

For the prepaid card we had no option to contact anyone, since there is no Customer Service phone number or other direct way to contact with someone who could help us. So we could only use it in the few places we saw that had dataphones for the chip. We had the option to get 200 Dollars a day from the ATMs, but since we wanted to use it for large payments, we decided not to have more headaches, not having to get money every day to pay for the hotels afterwards and spend it where we could.

We kept saving the cash as a treasure to use it in all the places where they did not accept card or where we could not pay with the prepaid card. We didn’t want to abuse the credit card, but in the end we had to use it for some more expenses. When we returned home we still had a good part of the balance in foreign currency on the prepaid card that we had to change back to Euros, thus losing a part of the money invested.”

Conclusion and advice

“After our experience, we believe that the most reliable way to travel is with cash. We are not going to be technophobes and give up the use of cards, but the truth is that cash was no problem, it is where we got a better price, since we were looking at a price to change it when the price was more favorable, and we spent it all (except for some coins that we kept as souvenir).

The prepaid card is not bad, but we do not believe that we will use it again as the most reliable option and put most of our budget there. We will keep it as a second option to use just in case. Will continue to carry the credit card, whether we have to rent a car or not, since this time it saved us. The problem is that the rate that the bank applied to us, not being the worst, was not very good either. But you don't know that until you get the payment to the card.”

Eurochange tips

We hope you find our partners' experience useful in deciding how to organize your currency exchange. Check before traveling with your bank to be informed of prices, commissions and if you may have problems with your cards. Confirm if the alternative options will be useful, as sometimes they are not what you expect. And for any questions you have about currency exchange in cash, we will be happy to help you.

When we travel abroad sometimes one of the last things we consider is the currency exchange. And it can become a headache for not knowing where to make the change, if the price will be good, which option will be better,…

That is why in our post today we are going to clear some of the most common doubts when it comes to currency exchange. If after reading this post your question is not resolved, contact us. We will be happy to help you solve it.

I travel tomorrow, do I still have time to make a currency exchange?

In Eurochange we have immediate availability of most of the currencies we work with. As a general rule we can have your currencies available for pick-up at a Eurochange office on the same day or for home delivery the next day.

TIP # 1 TO CHANGE CURRENCIES: The sooner you have organized the currency exchange, the better. But if it has happened to you, call us as soon as possible, tell us what currency you need and how much time you can pick it up or receive it at home. We will try to find a solution so you can make your change on time.

How currency purchase works on the web or by phone?

Our currency purchase system through the web and by phone are very similar. In both cases you make your user registration with your personal and contact information and a photo of your Passport. Then you start the process of buying the currency or the currencies you need and make the payment by card or by transfer. You will have to choose the delivery option you prefer: or pick up your currencies at a nearby Eurochange office or home delivery.

TIP # 2 TO CHANGE CURRENCIES: The process of buying currency online or by phone with Eurochange is very simple. But if you have any questions or want to confirm the price, amount, delivery date or any other information before making your purchase, we will be delighted at our Customer Service Center.

I need certain tickets, what can I do?

Sometimes in Internet forums or travel agencies they recommend you to bring certain notes. For example, there are countries in Asia or South America where they recommend us to take Dollars that are in perfect condition and that are of certain years of issuance. This is because in those countries the Dollar is not the local currency, but they accept them if they meet certain requirements.

TIP # 3 TO CHANGE CURRENCIES: If you have any special request about the notes you need, contact us and explain what you need. We will do our best to meet your requirements and prepare your order according to your needs.

What happens if I am not at home when they come to deliver my order?

Eurochange shipments are delivered to the address you indicate. If you are absent, they will leave you a notice or you will receive an SMS to contact the courier and arrange a new delivery for the same day or for the next day.

TIP # 4 TO CHANGE CURRENCIES: Most orders are delivered without incident. If you think you are not going to be at home and you need the order without delay, we offer you the possibility of sending the order to the nearest courier office. So from early in the morning you can pick it up.

Is it better to take the changed money or pay by card there?

This is a question asked by many travelers who don’t know what amount of Euros to change, what amount of currency they will need, if it is better to pay everything by card and not carry cash,… And there is no universal answer that satisfies everyone or valid for all destinations. It is not the same to go to New York where even in the souvenir stalls on the street you can pay by card, than go to Vietnam to places where it is rare that there is an internet connection.

TIP # 5 TO CHANGE CURRENCIES: At Eurochange we always recommend that our clients carry, if not everything, at least a part of the budget in cash. Although it seems not, there are still sites that do not accept card payments (yes, very few, but there are). Also, if you change your cash, you will know what you have paid in advance and you will know how much you are paying for things.

On the contrary, if you pay by card or take money from an ATM, you will pay what your bank charges for making payments in foreign currency and for the conversion of the currency. If you don't check it daily, it's harder to know what you're actually paying. Carrying the emergency card is fine, but always confirm with your bank in advance the exchange rates that will be applied to avoid surprises later.

Do you still have any questions? We are here to answer it 🙂

In Eurochange we want the change of Euros to other foreign currencies for your trips to be very simple for you. That's why we offer you several ways to make your change, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Exchange Euros to currencies in an exchange office

In most of the currency exchange offices in our network you can change from Euros to foreign currency.

Find your nearest office with the currency selling service. You can go and change the main currencies at the moment. In case we do not have stock of the currency you need, we will manage an order and you will be able to pick it up in 24-48 working hours.

Buy foreign currency online

If you don’t have any of our offices with the currency selling service nearby or simply don’t want to move and prefer to receive your order at home, you can make the purchase through our website.

To place your order you will only have to select the currency you want and the amount, indicate the shipping address and make the payment as you prefer (with card or transfer). Within 24-72 working hours you will receive your order at the address you have indicated.

You can also place your order on our website and pick it up at one of the available offices for online shopping collections.

Buy foreign currency by phone

If you are one of those who prefer to leave everything solved in a call, in our Customer Service and Reservations Centre we can manage your purchase by phone. Call us and we will leave your order ready in a few minutes.

If you have any questions about how to change your Euros to Pounds, Dollars, Kronas or any other currency with which we work, don’t hesitate to contact us at any of our Customer Service channels. We will solve your doubts and we will give you all the available alternatives.

It is always a pleasure to help you!

One more year in Eurochange we want to wish all our clients and friends that you spend a Happy Holidays surrounded by your loved ones and that next year 2019 is full of happy moments and new trips in which we can continue accompanying you.

We take this opportunity to let you know that some of our offices will have special hours in the coming days. Check the Eurochange Christmas schedule.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Last week we received in our offices the journalists of the digital newspaper Alicante Plaza for an interview about the effects of Brexit and how it has affected British tourists and residents in the area.

On June 23, 2016 the referendum about the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union was a positive result and last June 8th general elections took place in the country whose result was that the Prime Minister, Theresa May, didn’t obtain the absolute majority.

In this environment of uncertainty we find, on the one hand, all the national companies and businesses that work mainly with a British public (tourist or resident) and on the other hand the tourists and residents themselves who see that their purchasing power has diminished by the descent of the rate of the Pound and fear for the conditions that will be established so that they can continue living in Spain after their country leaves the EU.

Don’t miss the complete article (in Spanish) on the Alicante Plaza website: Eurochange, the pound exchange offices that continue to grow despite Brexit.

As we have told you a few times in our blog, changing your currencies in the offices of the Airports is not a good option as their prices are very expensive.

That's why we always recommend you to organize your trip well and ask us for the currencies that you need a couple of days before leaving/arriving. It’s not necessary to make the change weeks or months in advance, with 2-4 days will be enough so that, whatever the currency of our list you need, have it available.

In addition, you have at your disposal Eurochange currency exchange offices near the airports of Alicante, Murcia, Almeria and Malaga. To make it easier, you can reserve or buy the currency you need online and pick it up even when you are on the way to/from the Airport.

Currency exchange next to Alicante Airport

We have two branches near Alicante Airport depending on the kind of exchange you want to make.

If you need to change your Euros to other currencies, you can do so at the currency exchange offices of Benidorm or Torrevieja. And if you need to exchange from other currencies to Euros, we will be even closer, in Gran Alacant.

Currency exchange next to Murcia Airport

If you are traveling from or to San Javier Airport in Murcia, you can exchange your Euros to another currency or your currency to Euros at our currency exchange in Los Alcázares.

Currency exchange next to Almeria Airport

In our exchange office of Mojacar you can change your currencies to Euros. Soon you can also change from Euros to other currencies in this office.

Currency exchange next to Malaga Airport

If you need to excahnge from Euros to another currency or change your currencies into Euros, you can do so at our exchange office in Torremolinos.

And remember that if you are not close to any of these offices, you can always buy the currencies you need on our website and receive them at home in 24-48 hours (only for foreign currencies, not Euros).

Change your currency before your trip and enjoy your stay!

In Eurochange we dedicate ourselves to money exchange and we have available more than 10 different currencies. We offer the best services at the best price.

Advantages of exchanging with Eurochange:

• Best rates without commissions. In Eurochange we have the best prices in the market and, unlike banks and other exchange offices, we do not charge commissions. So you will always receive more money in your operations. In addition we always have the same rate, daily updated, in all our offices.
• Buy and sell. In Eurochange we have license to buy and sell currency. What does this mean? That with us you can exchange your foreign currency (Pounds, Dollars, Krones,…) into Euros and you can also change your Euros into another currency. In each case there is a different rate but always maintaining at competitive prices. More information on the types of currency exchange.
• More than 10 different currencies. In addition to the more common, such as the pound or the dollar, we can also arrange other foreign exchange. In this listing you can see the currencies that we work with and, if you don't see what you need, you can always contact us. Also at your disposal our currency converter with which you can calculate the amount you get for your money.
• Booking in advance. In Eurochange we have a currencies booking service through which you can reserve the amount you need and to pick them up at your nearest Eurochange office. In this way you have your money available when you need it.
• Customer Care. For us, you are the most important thing. For this reason we work to provide a great amount of information and transparency and the best treatment to our customers. We have at your disposal multiple channels of communication: Phone/WhatsApp (+34 615 403 877), e-mail (eurochange@eurochange.es), live chat in our web, social networks (Facebook, Twitter) and, of course, our 15 exchange offices distributed through Alicante, Murcia and Almeria.

Are you going abroad? You flying in the next few days to London, Birmingham, Liverpool, New York,… or any other city in the UK or the USA?

Check out the exchange rate of the currency of the country to which you are going to travel: pounds sterling, us dollars, krones, etc on our website Eurochange

On our homepage you will be able to see the exchange rates for both buying and selling for each currency that we work with:

• The rate of the buying column (We buy) is for when you give a currency to get Euros, for example if you bring pounds we will pay you every pound to 1,235 euros (RATE FROM 1st AUGUST 2014).
• The selling column (We sell) is when use euros to buy currencies such as pounds, dollars, etc. For example if you want to buy pounds, you must give 1,280 euros to get 1 pound (RATE FROM 1st AUGUST 2014)

Rates are updated daily.

You can also see: Eurochange

You will be able to reserve your currency by clicking here: Eurochange

To get an conversion and know the approximate amount of your exchange you have available just below the table os rates our currency converter, which is also available through the following link: Eurochange

We would like to take a minute of your precious time to help us on a research we are carrying out, do you mind? You just have to answer one simple question that will appear on your screen. As soon as you selected your answer, press "fin". Thanks a lot for you help!