Chase lets you order foreign currency online or at a branch, and the process takes just a few minutes. You can place an order through your Chase account on the website or mobile app, then choose to pick it up at a branch or have it delivered to your home. Here’s how each option works and what to expect.
Ordering Online or Through the App
Log in to your Chase account at chase.com or open the Chase mobile app. Navigate to the foreign currency section, which you can find under customer service or by searching “foreign currency” in the site’s search bar. Select the currency you need, enter the dollar amount you want to exchange, and choose your delivery method: branch pickup or home delivery.
When you order online, Chase converts your dollars at their exchange rate, which includes a markup over the mid-market rate (the rate banks use when trading with each other). You won’t see a separate “fee” line item, but the spread built into the exchange rate is how Chase makes money on the transaction. The total cost in U.S. dollars is deducted from your Chase checking or savings account.
If you choose home delivery, Chase ships the currency via FedEx or a similar carrier. Delivery typically takes one to three business days. Orders sent to your home may include a small shipping fee. If you choose branch pickup, there’s no shipping cost, and you’ll get a notification when your currency is ready, usually within a few business days.
Ordering at a Branch
You can also walk into a Chase branch and request foreign currency at the counter. Not every branch keeps foreign cash on hand, so calling ahead is a good idea. If the branch doesn’t have your currency in stock, a banker can place the order for you and have it shipped to the branch for pickup. Bring a valid ID and know which currency and how much you need before you go.
Branch orders follow the same exchange rate you’d see online. There’s no advantage to ordering one way over the other in terms of pricing, so pick whichever method is more convenient.
Order Minimums, Maximums, and Eligible Currencies
Chase and most major banks set a minimum order amount, typically $100 or $200 depending on the currency. The maximum is commonly $10,000 within a 30-day period. Chase offers dozens of currencies covering popular travel destinations, but very obscure currencies may not be available. If you’re heading somewhere with a less common currency, check the dropdown list during the order process to confirm availability before making other plans.
You need to be a Chase checking or savings account holder to use the service. The purchase amount is pulled directly from your linked account, so make sure you have sufficient funds before placing the order.
How Much the Exchange Rate Costs You
The exchange rate Chase offers will be less favorable than the mid-market rate you see on Google or a currency converter. The difference is typically a few percentage points, though it varies by currency. Less commonly traded currencies tend to carry a wider spread.
To gauge the markup, compare the rate Chase quotes you during checkout against the mid-market rate at that moment. If the mid-market rate for euros is 1.10 per dollar and Chase gives you 1.06, you’re paying roughly a 3.5% premium. That premium is the real cost of the transaction, even though there’s no line item labeled “fee.”
Using a Chase Debit Card Abroad Instead
Ordering cash before your trip isn’t the only option. You can withdraw local currency from ATMs overseas using your Chase debit card, though the fees add up. Chase charges $5 per withdrawal at non-Chase ATMs outside the U.S., plus a 3% foreign exchange rate adjustment on the converted amount. The ATM operator may also charge its own surcharge on top of that.
On a $200 withdrawal, for example, you’d pay the $5 fee plus about $6 in currency conversion costs, totaling around $11, or roughly 5.5% of your withdrawal. Making fewer, larger withdrawals reduces the per-dollar cost since the $5 flat fee is spread over a bigger amount.
Some premium Chase checking accounts, like Chase Premier Plus Checking and Chase Private Client Checking, waive non-Chase ATM fees and the foreign exchange rate adjustment. If you hold one of these accounts, using ATMs abroad may be cheaper than ordering currency in advance.
Tips for Getting the Best Value
Order your currency at least a week before your trip. Waiting until the airport kiosk is almost always more expensive, as airport exchange counters typically charge wider spreads and additional service fees. Ordering through Chase online gives you time to compare rates and avoid last-minute markups.
Only convert what you expect to spend in cash. Credit cards with no foreign transaction fees (Chase offers several, including the Sapphire line) give you a better exchange rate for most purchases. Use cash for small vendors, taxis, tips, and markets where cards aren’t accepted, and put everything else on a card.
If you have leftover foreign currency after your trip, you can sell it back to Chase at a branch, though the buyback rate will be less favorable than what you paid. Keeping leftover amounts small saves you from losing money on the round trip.