Why this is useful
When a trip crosses several currencies, it is easy to lose track of what a daily budget is really worth in each place. Converting the whole budget into each local currency before you go means you are not doing mental arithmetic at a shop counter.
How it is calculated
Converted amount = amount × reference rate for the pair. The rates are mid-market reference rates fetched live, so treat them as a benchmark, not the rate a bank will give you.
Worked example
Example only: a 1,000 USD budget at a hypothetical rate of 0.92 EUR per USD is about 920 EUR. If your card adds a 3% foreign fee, budget closer to 892 EUR of real spending power.
Common mistakes
- Treating the reference rate as the price you will pay — retail rates add a margin.
- Forgetting foreign transaction or ATM fees on top of the rate.
- Accepting 'pay in your home currency' at a card terminal, which usually costs more.
Questions
How often are the rates updated?
They are fetched from a public reference feed when you open the page and show when they were retrieved. Rates move constantly, so check again close to your trip.
Why does my bank show a different number?
Banks and exchange counters add their own spread and sometimes a flat fee to the reference rate. Compare their figure with this one to see how big the margin is.