Expedia.com Commision Free Vouchers...anyone ever use them?

When I booked my trip with expedia.com I received several vouchers for %26quot;Commision-Free Exchange On Currency%26quot; at a Travelex location in Paris but ONLY from Euro to Dollars.

Can anyone tell me if they have used this before and is it really COMMISION-FREE...meaning I will get a straight conversion with no charge whatsoever?

Thanks!

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Never used them, but will say this, even when there is no commision fee, one has to look at the exchange rate offered and compare it to that of other places.

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Ah! So, there is not a commision per se, but they may offer a different exchage rate than that of the TRUE rate for that date and time? That bites...

Isn%26#39;t that illegal or something?

And, is it true that the airport is the WORST placwe to exchange? I am trying to come up with a way of NOT using my ATM card and just exchanging my $$$.

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It is leagal and that%26#39;s how they make their profit.

Yes, airports usually have the worst rate.

Here are places that were recommended to me by Sarastro

http://www.bureaudechange.fr/

http://www.ccopera.com/

http://www.fcochange.com/

I first checked on line, to see who had the best exchange rate, it can add up when you%26#39;re changing large sums.

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I just want to add that when I went to the exchange place everything was as advertised on their website.

And Sarastro is a regular, very knowledgeable poster on this forum.

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I do understanding of course that they have to make a profit but I thought that is what the commision is for...like when a person sells a car, they get commision. I was just surprised to see that they can call it commision free but then turn back around and put a different catch in (that being not giving you the TRUE exchange rate for that date) to get that money that would normally call commision.

Thanks!

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One can never get the TRUE exchange rate, as you put it. Banks and exchange places will take a small, or not so small, percentage + some will charge a commision fee on top of that.

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I was unaware of that...and that clears up the confusion I had.

Once again, thanks for your help!

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Narlo, just wondering, are you sure you don%26#39;t want to use your ATM, it is so convenient. I know some complain of foriegn withdrawal fees attached to their card, but I found my banks both offer accounts with no fee foriegn withdrawals. Check with your bank. These are usaully acounts where you must keep a minimum balance. Just a thought.

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You are in Canada, so it%26#39;s probably a Canadian bank. Their exchange rate is never in the customer%26#39;s favor, it is close to what you might get at the airport.

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