Wells Fargo Currency Exchange Guide: Fees, Rates & How to Order
Wells Fargo offers currency exchange for existing account holders looking to buy travel money. To use the Wells Fargo currency exchange service you’ll need to plan in advance – you’ll order online, in app or in a branch, to collect up to 7 working days later, depending on the currency you need.
This guide walks through how Wells Fargo currency exchange and travel money services work, and also introduces some alternatives which may be cheaper and faster. We’ll take a look at Wise if you’d prefer to manage your travel spending using a card and digital account, and CXI if you want cash in your pocket, and would like to have your money delivered right to your door.
Key points: Wells Fargo currency exchange
- Wells Fargo customers can order 70 currencies, online or in branch, for collection or delivery 2 to 7 business days later
- Alternatives like the Wise travel money card and multi-currency account can be easy to use, cheap, and secure as you won’t need to carry as much foreign cash
- If you want travel cash faster, you might prefer an alternative like CXI which offers walk in services in branch, and next day home delivery
- Wells Fargo travel money exchange rates include fees which aren’t always easy to spot – compare the rates against alternatives like Wise which uses the mid-market rate
- Shopping around and comparing options is the very best way to make sure your USD go as far as possible on your well earned break
Does Wells Fargo do currency exchange?
Yes. Wells Fargo does currency exchange for customers who have an existing, eligible checking or savings account.
You can buy 70+ currencies from Wells Fargo, and sell back unused travel money at the end of your break. Travel money must be ordered well in advance, and exchange rates include fees. You can get your money in a branch once it has been prepared, or you can have it delivered to your home.
| Quick summary: | Answers |
|---|---|
| Currencies supported | You can buy 70 currencies including the Canadian dollar (CAD), euro (EUR), and Great Britain pound (GBP), for use in 100+ countries, at Wells Fargo. Alternatives like CXI support 80 currencies, while the Wise multi-currency card and account supports 40+ currencies and can be used for spending and withdrawals in 150+ countries. |
| Wells Fargo exchange rates | Wells Fargo exchange rates include costs, shipping, handling, processing, and Wells Fargo’s own revenue. Costs are combined into the rate you’re offered. Wise uses the mid-market rate with fees from 0.33% which are split out clearly. CXI uses a competitive exchange rate which can include a markup. |
| Does Wells Fargo charge a fee? | Wells Fargo’s currency exchange fees are included in the exchange rate you’re quoted – you’ll need to compare the rate to the mid-market exchange rate to view the fees. |
What currencies does Wells Fargo support for currency exchange?
Wells Fargo supports 70 currencies for currency conversion, including the following popular global currency options: Australian dollar (AUD), Canadian dollar (CAD), Chinese yuan (CNY), Danish krone (DKK), Eurozone euro (EUR), Great Britain pound (GBP), Hong Kong dollar (HKD), Japanese yen (JPY), Mexican peso (MXN), New Zealand dollar (NZD), Norwegian krone (NOK), Singapore dollar (SGD), Swedish krona (SEK), Swiss franc (CHF). In addition there are many less commonly used currencies available.
Alternatives like Wise and CXI also offer a wide range of foreign currencies.
- Wise supports 40+ currencies for currency exchange,
- CXI supports 80+ foreign currencies.
We’ll cover more details on them, later on in this guide.
Can I buy foreign currency from Wells Fargo?
Yes. If you are an existing Wells Fargo customer, you can buy travel money by ordering it online or in a branch, and either having it delivered to you, or heading out to collect it. We’ll touch on the options available in more detail later.
Wells Fargo also extends other foreign currency services to business and corporate customers, including ways to send and receive international payments with multi-currency account features. Wells Fargo does not offer multi-currency accounts to individual customers.
Wells Fargo currency exchange rate
Wells Fargo shows both their buy and sell rate online, which can differ. If you’re buying travel money, be sure to look at the correct rate option.
Whether you’re buying or selling, the Wells Fargo foreign currency exchange rate includes costs, such as shipping and handling, transaction processing, and also Wells Fargo’s own profits. Wells Fargo rates can vary, which means that different rates might be offered for similar transactions, to different customers.
Here’s a quick look at the exchange rates offered by a couple of alternatives to Wells Fargo – we’ll look at these in more detail later:
- CXI: Competitive rates which may include a small markup
- Wise: Mid-market rate with no markup
- OFX: Competitive rates which may include a small markup
How to check Wells Fargo exchange rate?
The Wells Fargo exchange rate is available online, in the Wells Fargo banking app or in their online banking system. You’ll be shown the rate before you order if you’re doing so online, or you’ll be told the rate by a team member if you’re ordering your travel money in a branch.
Does Wells Fargo charge a fee to exchange currency?
Wells Fargo charges a fee for currency exchange – but that fee might be rolled up into the exchange rate you’re offered rather than being split out. This approach to fees – known as adding a markup – is very common, but it does make it tricky to pick out what exactly you’re being charged for your travel money.
Let’s look at the fee structures for the alternatives to Wells Fargo we’ll investigate later:
- CXI: Variable fees which can include a delivery charge and a small markup on the exchange rate
- Wise: Currency exchange costs from 0.33% – fees are shown as a separate line item, rather than being included into the exchange rate
- OFX: No fee for currency conversion, but the rate used will include a small markup
How to buy foreign currency from Wells Fargo
You can buy foreign currency from Wells Fargo by ordering in advance online, in the mobile app or in a branch, and then waiting for your order to be prepared. You can then have it delivered to your home, or you can pop out to collect it from a local branch. Bear in mind that the preparation and delivery process can take 2-7 business days.
Order travel money in a Wells Fargo branch: Call into your local branch and place your order with a team member – pay with your Wells Fargo checking or savings account
Order travel money online: Log into Wells Fargo Online, select foreign currency cash under the Accounts tab, and place your order following the prompts – pay with your Wells Fargo checking or savings account
Order travel money in the mobile app: Log into the Wells Fargo Mobile app, and tap Menu on the bottom bar. Tap Account Services, then select Foreign Currency, and place your order following the prompts – pay with your Wells Fargo checking or savings account
The minimum foreign currency cash order amount is 200 USD. You can either arrange collection or delivery, but orders over 3,000 USD must be picked up at a branch.
How to order foreign currency online with Wells Fargo
If you’re a Wells Fargo customer already you can exchange currencies online or order travel money:
- Log into Wells Fargo Online
- Go to the the Accounts tab, and select foreign currency cash
- Place your order following the prompts
- Confirm if you want delivery or collection
- Pay with your Wells Fargo checking or savings account
You can order 200 USD or more, but orders of over 3,000 USD in value can not be delivered to a home address – you will have to select branch pick up.
Buy foreign currency from Wells Fargo mobile app
If you’d rather just use your phone you can order travel money in the Wells Fargo mobile app. Just log in then tap Menu followed by Account Services and Foreign Currency. You can place your order and pay with your Wells Fargo checking or savings account
How long does it take to get foreign currency from Wells Fargo?
It will take you 2 to 7 business days to get your travel money with Wells Fargo.
If you choose an alternative for cash collection or delivery, such as CXI you may get your money quicker.
- CXI has many currencies in stock, and can dispatch common currencies for next day delivery after order.
- If you choose a Wise travel card you can convert currencies instantly in the app – just add some money in USD and tap to change to the currency you need right away.
Alternatives to Wells Fargo foreign currency exchange
Wells Fargo may not be the right option for you – so let’s look at some alternatives that offer a wide range of currencies, low fees and good exchange rates. We’ve picked out different options depending on why and how you need currency exchange.
| Wells Fargo | CXI | Wise | OFX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currency exchange services | Order travel cash online, in app and in branch for delivery or collection | Order travel cash online for delivery or collection | Exchange currencies within your digital account or when you pay with your Wise card | Exchange currencies within your digital account |
| Fees | Fees included in exchange rates | Variable fees based on currency and delivery option | From 0.33% | Fees included in exchange rates |
| Exchange rates | Exchange rates include a markup to cover costs and Wells Fargo’s revenue | Exchange rates include a markup | Mid-market rates | Exchange rates include a markup |
| How long does it take? | 2 – 7 business days | Next day delivery available on many currencies | Instant conversion in your digital account | Instant conversion in your digital account |
| Supported currencies | 70+ including EUR, CAD, GBP, AUD | 80+ including EUR, CAD, GBP, AUD | 40+ including EUR, CAD, GBP, AUD | 7 including EUR, CAD, GBP, AUD |
The right currency exchange option for you will depend a lot on your specific situation.
- If you need cash for a vacation – particularly if you’re in a hurry – CXI may help, with fast exchange in many currencies.
- If you would rather manage your money digitally and pay with a card when you’re away – with the option of using an ATM when you need cash – Wise may suit, with low costs and mid-market exchange rates.
- Finally, OFX is a good solution if you need a business account and access to specialist currency services such as risk management.
CXI (order online for collection or delivery)
CXI has 35 branches throughout the US, including in city center locations and airports. You can buy 80+ currencies, many of which are held in stock so you can walk into a branch and get sorted right away. Or if it’s easier you can order online and either have the money delivered to your home, or head out to collect in the branch when you’re ready.
| CXI pros | CXI cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Huge range of currencies ✅ Many major currencies held in stock ✅ Next day deliveries available ✅ Buy coins as well as notes for major currencies | ❌ Fees including delivery fees may apply ❌ Exchange rates include a markup |
Wise (multi-currency account and card for spending and withdrawals)
Open a Wise account online or in app, add USD from your bank or card, and convert instantly in your account. You can then tap and pay with a Wise card, or make cash withdrawals in foreign currencies when you’re away.
Currency conversion uses the mid-market rate with low fees from 0.33% – and accounts can hold 40+ currencies. Spend and withdraw with your card in 150+ countries, with some free ATM withdrawals every month before fees begin.
| Wise pros | Wise cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Hold and exchange 40+ currencies ✅ Mid-market exchange rates ✅ Some free ATM withdrawals every month ✅ Manage all your money with just your phone | ❌ No cash home delivery or collection ❌ Some transaction and withdrawal fees apply |
OFX (digital currency exchange for businesses and online sellers)
If you’re interested in currency exchange for your business or as an online seller, the OFX Global Currency Account may be a good bet. Accounts support 7 major currencies and you can switch between them in the app or online. OFX also offers more complex currency risk management products which can be especially helpful for businesses trading internationally.
| OFX pros | OFX cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Business and online sellers can open accounts instantly ✅ No ongoing account fees ✅ Receive,exchange and send foreign currency payments ✅ Instant currency conversion in your account | ❌ Exchange rates include a markup ❌ No debit card or cash options |
If you’re looking to exchange foreign currency at a local bank, this guide might help: Best banks to exchange foreign currency
Conclusion: Buy foreign currency at Wells Fargo
If you’re a Wells Fargo customer you can use your checking or savings account to pay for currency conversion for your travel money. You have to order in advance, and then either have your cash delivered to your home, or collect it yourself later. Fees apply, which are rolled into the exchange rate used to convert your USD to the currency you need.
- Wells Fargo customers can order 70 currencies, online or in branch, for collection or delivery 2 to 7 business days later
- Wells Fargo exchange rates include costs, such as shipping and handling, transaction processing, and also Wells Fargo’s own profits
- If you want travel money in cash, compare the rates and fees from alternatives like CXI which may get your money to you quicker
- Customers who prefer to use a card to spend and withdraw when away from home may like Wise – which offers multi-currency accounts which use the mid-market exchange rate
- OFX is a good choice for business customers looking for currency services include exchange and more complex requirements such as forward exchange contracts
FAQs Wells Fargo currency exchange
Can I deposit foreign currency at Wells Fargo?
You can not deposit foreign currency at Wells Fargo, but the bank may buy back some unused travel money from you if you come home with extra. Fees, which may be included in the exchange rate, will apply.
Can I buy foreign currency from Wells Fargo mobile app?
Yes – you can order travel money in the Wells Fargo mobile app. Simple log in, to place your order and pay with your Wells Fargo checking or savings account
Related: Does Wells Fargo have foreign transaction fees?
Can I walk into Wells Fargo and get foreign currency?
No. You can not buy foreign currency instantly. If you are a Wells Fargo customer, you can online or in branch, for collection or delivery 2 to 7 business days later.
