Euros - Larger Notes to Smaller Notes

[cdnp]

Hi,
I have received my currency today ready for my trip over next week. The company has given me a few 100Euro notes which i know wont be favored upon because of how big they are.

Does anyone know how i can get smaller denominations for them instead or will the bank exchange them for smaller amounts ?
I dont imagine the hotel im staying in will want to exchange them either !!!!!

Help !!!!!

Thank You

[Farol]

Try a bank. The worst they can do is say no.

[Michael Crane]

I had two €500 notes and changed them at Barclays . . . after they gave both of them a very thorough examination.

I also changed one a while back at a Change counter in a DIY store in Portimao. The girl at the counter took it from me and went into the back office. She was gone for at least 10 minutes and I began to think she might just come back out and deny all knowledge of me handing it over. I was prepared for that eventuality . . . I had taken a photo of me and the note at the store on my Blackberry.

She did return and it was changed without a problem.

[smudger]

Large € notes are closely examined as they are forgeries circulating. Also read some time ago, anyone with large quantities of €100 and €500 notes were looked on as money launderers!!
Says something about my financial position...........never seen a €100 note let alone a €500 note

[destroyer]

There always seems to be a 500 in those perspex charity boxes at airports. I suspect they're fakes!

[cdnp]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
Why do travel / currency companies give out such high notes if they know there may be problems.

Great holiday its going to be, if i cant even use my spending money and its not my fault i have those amounts.

Next time i will stick to High Street instead of going with a recommendation from Martin Lewis website

If i was to have a meal bill for 4 of us cost 60 / 70 Euros, would the restaurants be okay with it or would they still not want to accept them.

[SAM SPARKLE]

I don’t think you will have too many issues, most banks will change them. Why don’t you get yourself a currency card like Fairfx or Caxton FX, (google them for their respective Web sites), not only do you get a better rate but you can manage your money better. Probably too late for this holiday but handy too know for future trips. Enjoy your holiday.

[cdnp]

Thanks SAM,
Thats great idea. Yes i agree, is late for this trip but going forward maybe an idea.

Am just concerned that all the comments i have read, make out if you have lots of 100EUR or above notes your made to feel like you are money laundering, when all i did was tried to get a good rate for spending money and the company i chose obviously sends high denominations the more your purchase i presume.

It was a recommended site and is all legal and part of financial institutes and all that. Just doesn't really help the customer when were lumbered with high notes which hardly anyone wants to touch.

I can try the bank in Carvoeiro and see if they will help.

[Michael Crane]

We have spent many €100 notes in the supermarkets without a hitch.

[e-richard]

If i was to have a meal bill for 4 of us cost 60 / 70 Euros, would the restaurants be okay with it or would they still not want to accept them.

Restaurants will generally be quite OK accepting the big ones.

After a meal for 4, you're unlikely to get much change from a €100 note

[sunman]

If i was to have a meal bill for 4 of us cost 60 / 70 Euros, would the restaurants be okay with it or would they still not want to accept them.

Restaurants will generally be quite OK accepting the big ones.

After a meal for 4, you're unlikely to get much change from a €100 note

unless you've been to the sumptuous Escondodinho's

[smudger]

sorry cdnp if I've spooked you about using big € notes in or around CVO, didn't mean to, just added my views on the topic of large notes. For me, I regularly exchange £ to € (suspect Big Brother noticed this) and always ask for the majority in lower value notes. At the end of the day, I spend them!!!!

[Octopus]

If i was to have a meal bill for 4 of us cost 60 / 70 Euros, would the restaurants be okay with it or would they still not want to accept them.

Restaurants will generally be quite OK accepting the big ones.

After a meal for 4, you're unlikely to get much change from a €100 note

Plus you'll already have eaten it, so it'll be irrelevant whether they want to accept your 100 euros or not, they'll have no choice

[cdnp]

Hi Smudger,
No you haven't spooked me, i am grateful for everyone's replies. Thank You to all who have commented.

Hi Octopus,
I like your thinking. Very true. That's me keeping my Euross hidden until ive eaten then

[bugsey]

Sometimes the bank machines in Carvoeiro give out 100's