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Best and Worst Places to Exchange Currency in Las Vegas

Updated September 17, 2024

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las vegas strip — The Las Vegas Strip, lit.
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Visiting the United States and heading to Las Vegas? There’s plenty to do in one of the largest vacation spots in the country. But to take full advantage of all the things the city offers, you will need some cash—or at least some way to pay in the local currency—and that usually involves conver♓ting your home currꩵency into U.S. dollars. How do you make the exchange? Here are some options.

Key Takeaways

Currency exchange desks at the airport or your hotel may make you pay more than 25% in fees.
The exchange rate that casinos offer is sometimes a great deal and may well be your best option.
It’s good practice to visit your local bank to have some cash in hand before you leave your home country.
If you need to use cash while in Vegas, your debit card may work at an ATM.
Consider using a 0% foreign transaction fee credit card.

Worst: At Your Hotel

If you’re staying at a larger hotel, there’s a good chance that it has a currenc🌼y exchange desk. The problem: Once you figure in the exchange rate and the fees, it could be costly. For that reason, as a general rule, avoid exchanging currency at your hotel.

Best: At the Casino

Now we’re talking! If you plan to wait until you get to Las Vegas to exchange your cur꧟rencyꦑ, a casino can be a good choice.

Most large casinos will gladly exchange your money for a fee. Vegas insiders say that often the exchange rate casinos offer is a great deal and may well be your best option. Why are the exchange rates better, you ask? Becauseꦆ the casino fully expects you to dump your dollars into slot machines or at the blackjack tables.

Best: At Your Local Bank

It’s a good idea to have some cash in hand before you leave your home country. You probably won’t need a lot, but having some emergency money to cover situations when you can't use a credit card is a good idea. Your local bank is probably the place to go. You will probably pay a delivery fee along with the foreign exchange rate, but it’s probably the better value.

Best: At an ATM

If you need to use cash while in Vegas, your debit card will probably work at an ATM. The only problem is the fees, but some banks have partner ATMs around the world where the out-of-bank 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:user fees are waived. You will only pay the fee your bank charges. Look on your bank’s website for a list of partner ATMs. If you can find one close to you, the fee will likely be 3% or less.

Worst: At the Airport

When you arrive at McCarran International Airport, or whichever airport you fly into, there will be 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:currency exchange desks that will gladly help. Try not to let them because this is probably the worst way to exchange your money. Don’t be fooled by the enticing “no fee” advertisements. The 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:exchange rate will be less thanꦉ favoraꦛble or the fees may be called something else.

Note

You might pay more than 25%🌞 in fees for currency exchan🙈ge at the airport.

Best: When You're Buying Something

Most people agree that credit cards are the best way to pay when traveling abroad. There’s no lack of 0% 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:foreign transaction fee credit cards. Check the terms ♕of your card to see if your card charges a fee.

If it does, and you will be gone for an extended period or plan to travel abroad frequently in the future, consider finding a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:0% foreign transaction fee card. If your card does charge a fee, it’s probably not higher than 3%. (If it is, get rid of it.) Even with the fee, your credit card is꧟ probably the best way to pay.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Exchange Currency?

The cheapest way to exchange currency is usually at your🐻 bank or credit union. Banks and credit unions will most likely charge a low fee or no fee at all, depending o🍃n the amount. Additionally, they will give you a better exchange rate than many exchange counters, such as those found at airports or around a city.

How Do You Exchange Your Currency?

There are a few ways to exchange y🧸our currency. If you hold foreign currency, you can exchange it at your local bank. If you are traveling and want to convert your local currency to foreign currency, you can do that at a bank, at an exchange counter at th꧙e airport, or elsewhere.

Note, that fees and exchange rates will vary depending on where you exchange and that banks usually provide better terms. You also have the option of withdrawing foreign currency at an ATM 💝in a foreign country. Check to see if your bank charges fees for withdrawing 🦄at a foreign ATM.

Is There a Fee When You Exchange Currency?

There can be fees when you exchange currency depending on where you exchange. Some banks will charge a fee, some only below a certain amount, while some not at all. This will depend on your bank and the account you have with them. You can also withdraw foreign currency at an ATM in the foreign 🌠currency. Again, depending on your bank, you could be charged a fee for doing so.

The Bottom Line

If you have to exchange your money fo🗹r U.S. dollars in Las Vegas, stay awaꦏy from options clearly geared towards tourists, such as hotels and airports.

You will pay hefty fees for the exchange. Check the casinos for actual cash exchanges, but your best strategy is to pay with your credit card. If you have the right card, you may avoid transaction fees. The next best choice is an ATM that is part of your home bank's network.

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