Exchanging in airports

[lapislazuli_18]

Hi all, I have a trip coming up soon and I thought I could profit to exchange some lower denomination bills for some or even if that's possible. Or even any old first series notes that I don't have in my collection. Does anybody have any experience about this? Do exchange bureaus normally accept these kinds of exchanges? Any tips? I'll be in Barajas, Chicago and - I believe - JFK airport in NY.

[trezay]

I've exchanged notes at currency exchange offices in American airports before, though I did the opposite of what you are planning on doing : I brought a larger denomination and asked for smaller change. I don't collect notes, so the main goal for me was just to light up some dots on my map. In my personal experience, the employees accept about half the time. It really depends on the person you're speaking to (or rather on the policy of the company, I guess). Some will be happy to help, others will flat out refuse. In any case, the worst that can happen is that they say no, so if I were you, I would not hesitate to try different exchange bureaus within the same airport.

[lmviterbo]

My experience is similar to trezay's, although with worse results.

I guess that higher denominations in very good condition will be the most accepted ones.

[lapislazuli_18]

Thank you guys Maybe they need smaller notes and im luckier than you since you did the opposite? my purpose is that i can get some exotic hits thanks to the bureau exchanging my notes with travellers going around the world but who knows. Also, does it sound suspicious if I ask for larger notes? specially since im quite young and im going to be travelling between europe and the us