I wanted to share a disappointing experience at the AAA office while trying to purchase foreign currency, so others can avoid the same hassle and unnecessary fees.
I went in expecting convenience as a AAA member, but the process was poorly explained from the start. Joshua assisted me with the order and failed to clearly explain the nearly 8% exchange markup along with a $12 overnight fee. Only after reading the receipt myself did I learn that orders over $1,000 avoid the overnight fee, but the exchange rate itself was still far higher than what most local banks offer.
At that point, I was already invested in the process and decided to continue despite the excessive rate. During the order, I specifically requested SMALL bills only because that's what I needed for travel.
When I returned to pick up the currency, Sarah asked me to count everything before finalizing the transaction. I immediately noticed the order was mostly large bills -- $100s and $50s -- with very few small denominations. When I explained that this would not work and reminded her I had requested small bills only, her response was dismissive and unprofessional. Instead of trying to help or offer solutions, she told me it was my fault for "assuming" anything and said that because it was a busy travel season, I should not expect specific denominations.
The situation got worse when she told me I needed to leave because she had another appointment waiting. Apparently, keeping her schedule was more important than addressing a customer concern caused by their own lack of communication.
I declined the transaction and took my business elsewhere.
This experience really made me question the value of a AAA membership. Between the inflated exchange rates, unnecessary fees, and poor customer service, there are no real savings or benefits here. I later found I could get a significantly better exchange rate through a local bank with far less hassle.
If you need foreign currency, save yourself the frustration and compare rates before using AAA. Ask detailed questions upfront, get everything in writing, and don't assume your requests will be honored. Personally, this experience convinced me my membership is no longer worth the cost. read more