Top 4 Tips for Managing Foreign Currency During Holiday Travel

Holiday travel is exciting, but managing how you pay when traveling internationally can quickly turn into a headache if you’re not prepared. Between hidden fees, unreliable ATMs, and the chaos of peak-season airports, the last thing you want is to be stuck without cash or paying more than you should. In this guide, we’ll share four smart, stress-free tips to keep your money safe, accessible, and working for you, so you can focus on making memories, not managing money. 

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1. Mix your money sources 

Don’t rely on just one form of payment (don’t put all your eggs in one basket). Cards are convenient, but it’s smart to carry local cash too.  

Cards are great for hotels, reservations, and larger purchases. Cash is ideal for small purchases such as a water bottle you’ll buy while on a walking tour or the tip you’ll leave for the waiter at a restaurant. Many banks and ATMs charge both a foreign transaction fee and a marked-up exchange rate each time you use your card. The fees you get charged can end up costing you more than that bottle of water or cup of coffee. 

2. Order your currency before you leave 

Buying currency ahead of time gives you control over the rate you get, especially with CXI’s currency rate tracker. You can order currency online and pick it up in branch, or you can have it securely delivered to your home as soon as tomorrow.  

Ordering ahead is one of the easiest ways to start a trip feeling prepared. It’s convenient and gives you peace of mind. No need to scramble last minute at the airport during the holidays, which tends to be one of the busiest airport seasons. And there is no need to worry about scammers or fraudulent ATMs.  

The run-up to the holidays is busy everywhere. The roads, the malls, and the airports. So, order currency ahead of time. When you arrive at your destination, tired, hungry, and juggling luggage and family, you don’t want to rely on just a card that can be declined or not accepted. 

3. Carry cash for small and frequent purchases 

Peak-season crowds, busier banks, and extra travel pressure means things go wrong more often, such as a card reader failing or getting blocked for security. Take cash for the following: 

• Street food 

• Local cafes/bakeries 

• Corner shops 

• Souvenirs 

• Public transport 

• Tipping (restaurant, hotel cleaning service, and tour guides) 

4. Watch out for dynamic currency conversion 

When a shop, restaurant, or hotel abroad asks if you want to pay in your home currency, it might feel familiar, but it’s almost always more expensive. This is known as dynamic currency conversion (DCC), and the rate they choose is typically worse than what your bank would use. 

Always choose to pay in the local currency. 

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