On Dec 1, 4:22 pm, john_k...@... (John Kulp) wrote:
> On Sat, 1 Dec 2007 13:34:26 -0700, "Steve Cain"
> wrote:
>
> >It is sort of nice to have some Yen in your pocket when you get off the
> >plane. American Express will get you some money to your home address in =
48
> >hours. Then you don't have to jet lag fumble about for a machine.
> >https://www210.americanexpress.com/BOLWeb/bolfeOrder.do?request_type=3D..=
.
>
> What for? You can easily get yen when you arrive at far better rates.
I agree. The last time I was at NRT, the Citibank ATM (along with
some from other banks) was just to the right as you left the secure
area into the arrival hall, so you can get Japanese currency as soon
as you arrive.
I tried the AmEx site for getting JP=A510,000, or about US$90 at the
current conversion rate. Including all the fees and other charges,
Amex would charge more than than US$125, or a premium of more than US
$35. If I use my Citi card at the ATM in NRT, the additional charges
above the wholesale exchange rate would be less than US$2. Even my
ATM card with the most expensive fees would have additional charges of
less than US$7. I would guess that the money changers charge fess
totaling less than US$10. The AmEx option is a high price to pay for
the convenience.
In my limited experience in this century, the international airports
always had ATMs. Thay also always had the money changing booths,
which was a reassuring backup in case I could not use one of my bank
cards. |