Euro is almost 1-1

Euro today is at 1 to 1.087 Not much longer and it will be 1 to 1

Saw that today and got really psyched for our November trip. Just as soon as JetBlue opens up their schedule, we'll book!

Hope this helps the Island Merchants after all of these years of suffering the bad exchange rate.

Now, especially for a trip several months in the future, it makes one dither about whether to pay in advance for Club O, as you don't know what the Euro will be doing by then!

Right! I'll defer that decision to my Economist husband (aka Fortuneteller). <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

It's really amazing how quickly it's dropped. Just last week we got a credit card conversion from Cap1 at 1.12!

We were just in SXM a month ago and paid 1.14. Seemed great then, but now I feel like I got gaffed (not really).
I hope it stays low or goes lower between now and the end of April so we can take another shot at it in May.

Yes, one certainly has to be a fortuneteller to know what to do! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

1-1.09 today

Isn't this fun for we travelers? Never thought I would see this day!. Although I also never expected to see gas go down to $2 either!

So, I'm thinking it might be beneficial to pay the balance of our rental in euros, which is an option. I need to check with our bank regarding atm fees though I think they are waived, so where is the best place to withdrawal euros at a favorable rate? ie list exchange rate vs. actual exchange rate?

Us Import receipt showed 1 to 1.12 but the actual was 1 to 1.14. At Ocean 82 we asked for our bill in euros, and it ended up being 1 to 1.10 on credit card. I think the best would still be ATM with no bank fees, but it's probably a wash if your bank charges ATM percentage and usage fees. Ours doesn't.

1.08 today!

A lot of places on Orient are charging 1.2 or more because they have costs to convert dollars back to euro from their banks

You do have to watch. Two drinks at a bar in Grand Case were 12 Euros or 15 US and a Pain au Raisin at a bakery was 1:40 Euros or $2 US. Seems like small change but it can add up. Fortunately we brought some Euros with us.

We used capital one and told the merchant we wanted euros and then capital one did the conversation rate which is a lot lower than what the French side is charging

That is how I paid at a gallery recently. Charged to Cap 1 in euros, and then converted and billed at a good rate.

Where is the ATM located in the airport?

Tree Top Lounge at Loterie Farm did 1.08-1.00 today. Pretty decent compared to past years.

Lets see if it goes down more on Monday. Waiting to buy some when it bottoms out. But how do you know?????

That might be the reason they want you to believe. Its just a way to pull a little more profit.

Jd
We ate lunch at Loterie Farm today (left about 1:50). Must have just missed you (we were in the restaurant).
Bob

Yes, we had to have just missed you as we got there at 11:00 and left just before 2:00 and were in the lounge.

Regarding the euro, it is like airfare. When it gets to a price you can live, exchange or buy!!

Yes I realize that so we get euros for spending on the French side. We also use Capital One for anything big.BTW French side atms don't charge a fee.

This will be our 15th trip since 2000. It should be our 16th annual trip but one year we did not go because it was when the Euro conversion was 1.7 USD to the Euro. So for those that went a few months ago when it was 1.14 don't feel bad.

do not hesitate to buy Euros......We Canadians a short spurt with par US/CA and now back to $1.28 to buy a US dollar....go out and buy a bunch of Euros and stash them away..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/canada.gif" alt="" />

Don't try to catch a falling knife...down to $1.074 today. Stock market won't like it though

With the exchange rate what it is, you have an opportunity to try one of the French restaurants who charge in Euros at a significant savings. We have been going to the island since 2003 and never tried Sol e Luna, but did so last Friday. Main dishes were in the 30-35 euro range which is expensive, but not nearly as much as when the exchange rate was 1.30-1.00.

Absolutely right..

as of today the exchange is 1 to 1.07. Thats about the same as most of the US is with state added meal taxes.

WOW! Deutsche Bank predicts fall to 85 cents US by 2017 due to collapse of European bond yields. No end in sight for bottom.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0M702720150311

Most places have let us pay with our credit card in Euros. A few have the 1:1.2 exchange so picked up some Euros for those cases. We don't feel the need this time for having a lot of Euros on hand.

A Euro at $0.85 might be good for us visiting SXM but it would be very bad for US Cos relying heavily on exports as it would make US products 15% to 20% more expensive to EU buyers.
Just look what happened to the Dow Jones yesterday, when there was speculation (no pun intended) that the Fed might increase the interest rate which would push the $ higher against most currencies.

We have visited the island for over twenty years, and have never had a euro in our possession. It's not necessary since the good old greenback is still taken everywhere.

Us too but if the places are still using the 1 to 1.2 conversion for cash it's not a good deal. I might start using some in those cases if they don't take a cc.
1.058 today.

Anyone with equity mutual funds should not wish for a stronger dollar...the thousands of dollars lost will not make up for a few cents per euro

..and it is still dropping...

Yep. Glad we took our money for the year in January! Ride that roller coaster!

My Planter's Punch on Orient today was 6.50E & they wanted $7 US

Interesting. I'd use a credit card and ask that the charge be put through in euros.

At todays' rate drop that 6.5 euro would have been just a tad south of $6.90

I would have been happy with the $7 charge

Since they are not looking at the minute by minute changes yesterday's rate would have been almost right on $7

If the Euro goes par or below some places may still add a charge for conversion. Local banks charge them to convert dollars to euros so.
our first visit years ago St Martin still used francs and most places conversion rate was in their favor.
I'm excited since I pay my rent in Euros. Maybe I can stay longer

But what's going to happen to our "which restaurants offer 1:1?" threads?!?
; >)

It'll be changed to "which restaurants are ripping us off by only giving 1:1" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> Absolutely!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Or still giving 1:1.2 because they want to.

Interesting point....

$1.049 now

Goldman Sachs went bearish on it today. Rumors of 1:.85

wow..

Will be interesting to see if places go 1:1 but raise the prices. A lot of commodity imports are bought on the dollar and they made a few percent extra on the difference and now its swinging the other way.

And if things get dull we can always start a tipping on the French side thread

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Don't you just love it!

Or, which car rental is the best for 1:1.