What to Do With Leftover Foreign Currency? 10 Ways to Use Your Travel Money

If you’ve ever returned from an overseas trip and found yourself with a handful of banknotes or a pocket full of foreign coins, you’re not alone. Every year, millions of travelers bring back leftover currency that ends up sitting in drawers, jars, or wallets, often forgotten until the next vacation. While it might not seem like much, all that foreign cash adds up.

According to travel reports, billions of dollars in unused foreign money circulate outside their home countries at any given time. So, what can you do with foreign leftover currency from a trip? Instead of letting it collect dust, here are some ideas for putting it to good use.

What Is Leftover Currency and Why Does It Happen?

Leftover currency refers to any foreign cash, including banknotes and foreign coins, that travelers bring home after visiting another country that they didn’t spend while abroad. It’s what’s left in your pocket, purse, or wallet once the trip ends and you return home.

Leftover currency is common and happens for a few simple reasons:

• Overestimating spending needs: Many travelers withdraw or exchange more money than they end up using.
• Minimum withdrawal limits: ATMs abroad often require set minimum withdrawal amounts, leading travelers to take out extra.
• Cash-only moments: In some places, cash is still king, especially in small shops, taxis, and markets.
• Currency restrictions: Some countries won’t let you reconvert their currency before leaving.

The result? You come home from vacation with leftover currency – foreign bills and coins from around the world, unsure what to do with all of it. While banknotes are relatively easier to exchange or sell, foreign coins can be trickier. Most currency exchange services and banks don’t accept coins because they’re heavy and harder to process. Below, we'll cover where to sell old foreign currency, as well as what to do with foreign coins jiggling in your pocket.

Option 1: Exchange Your Leftover Foreign Currency Back Online

The smartest move you can make with leftover currency is to exchange it back into U.S. dollars. Not only does this put money back in your pocket, but it’s also the most direct way to make use of your foreign bills. At US First Exchange, a licensed online foreign currency exchange platform, converting your leftover currency back to USD is fast, secure, and simple.

Here’s how it works:

1. Choose your currency: Visit US First Exchange and select the foreign currency and the amount you want to sell. Your price will be displayed at the current exchange rate.
2. Select your preferred delivery method: You can choose to receive funds by direct bank deposit or cash delivered to your door.
3. Ship your currency securely: Follow the shipping instructions and ship your leftover money with insured, tracked shipping to monitor your shipment every step of the way.
4. Get your funds: You will receive a receipt for the currency exchange and a confirmation of payment into your account when your shipment arrives.

US First Exchange offers competitive exchange rates and convenient online foreign currency exchange services for travelers looking to sell leftover currency from virtually anywhere in the world. This is also the easiest way to convert several different foreign currencies without visiting multiple locations. Simply request a shipping kit and get started right away.

Option 2: Exchange at Banks or Financial Institutions

If you have leftover banknotes from major currencies like euros, pounds, or yen, some banks and financial institutions in the United States might exchange them. However, the options are often limited, and the process isn’t always straightforward:

• Limited availability: Not all banks handle foreign currency exchange, and those that do typically accept only a few of the most commonly traded foreign currencies.
• Restricted locations: Smaller community banks and credit unions usually don’t process foreign exchange transactions at all.
• Variable rates and fees: Even if your bank does exchange currency, the rates may not be as favorable as what you’ll find through specialized services, and additional transaction fees can reduce your total return.

It’s best to call ahead to check whether your bank provides foreign currency exchange services, which currencies it accepts, and what exchange rates and fees it charges. For the best value and convenience, dedicated services like US First Exchange generally provide more competitive rates, faster processing, and a smoother experience from start to finish for selling foreign currency. You can even sign up for free exchange rate alerts to lock in the best moment to sell.

Option 3: Exchange at Airport Kiosks and Bureaux de Change

You’ve probably seen exchange kiosks and bureaux de change counters at airports. These spots are convenient, but they are notorious for charging higher fees and offering lower exchange rates. If you’re traveling back to the U.S. soon, you can use them to convert small amounts of cash before boarding, but they’re not ideal for large conversions.  It’s also important to note that many of these kiosks usually only handle banknotes, not foreign coins. If you have both, you may need to look into other options.

Option 4: Spend As Much as You Can Before You Leave

As your vacation winds down, be on the lookout for small items to buy with leftover coins (snacks, souvenirs under a few dollars, etc.). It’s easier to spend odd change early than to carry it home. So, before your overseas trip ends, try to use as much of your foreign currency as possible to minimize leftovers.  Here are a few travel tips to help you avoid ending up with excess leftover currency once you land home:

• Stock up on local snacks, drinks, or essentials – pay for your last meal, grocery store trip, ride to the airport, or souvenirs in cash.
• Splurge at airport duty free stores. This way, your unused foreign cash becomes a “golden ticket to indulgence” at these tax-free shops. You can pick up perfumes, chocolates, liquor, or luxury souvenirs.
• Use it for airport lounge access or other commodities at the airport while you wait your flight
• Use smaller denominations for taxis and coffee shops.  For instance, you might put a handful of foreign coins toward your cab fare, then pay the balance by card. In many cases, clerks and vendors are happy to help get rid of your foreign change as long as it covers part of the cost.

Every little bit used is one less bill or coin to deal with later. It’s also smart to plan spending ahead of time to avoid large withdrawals near the end of your trip. Apps that track exchange rates and spending habits can help you estimate how much cash you’ll actually need.

 

Option 5: Keep Some as Souvenirs

A few foreign bills or coins can make memorable keepsakes and unique mementos of your travel and can even be turned into art. International currencies often feature beautiful designs or famous landmarks, so why not display them? They can be great additions to travel scrapbooks, fridge magnets, or even coin collections.

For example, you could frame a colorful banknote, glue coins onto fridge magnets, or use them in a scrapbook. Crafty travelers have even made DIY jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, earrings) out of coins or folded bills. Other ideas include decoupage (covering a box or tray with cutouts of banknotes) or simple collages showcasing different currencies. That said, don’t let too much money sit idle. Keep a small sample for memory’s sake, and sell, gift, or donate the rest.

Option 6: Trade or Gift It

Got friends or family traveling soon? You can easily exchange leftover foreign currency with them, giving them a helpful head start. If they’re heading to the same country, this is a practical way to help them save on fees while you clear out your unused cash. If you know any coin or currency collectors among your friends and family, or kids interested in geography or culture, leftover foreign coins make a thoughtful gift.

A money jar full of foreign coins can spark wanderlust in someone else just as much as it did for you. They also make for fun collectibles and educational souvenirs. Some parents bring a bag of foreign coins into a classroom for a “show and tell,” teaching geography and history with real-world currency (each coin tells a story of its country). These creative uses ensure your extra cash continues to bring joy, rather than collecting dust.

Option 7: Donate to Charity or International Aid Programs

If your foreign coins and banknotes aren’t worth exchanging, they can still make a difference through charity support programs. Many non-profits and international aid organizations accept foreign currency donations in bills and coins, and turn them into valuable contributions. Donating is a quick way to declutter your wallet and make a positive impact.

One notable example is UNICEF's Change For Good, a partnership between UNICEF and major airlines, such as American Airlines in the U.S. Travelers can donate leftover currency on participating flights or through donation boxes at airports, where they can drop in spare notes and coins. The proceeds go directly to child-focused humanitarian efforts worldwide, and UNICEF’s global airline program has raised over $185 million through these donations.

You don’t have to be on a plane to donate. Other international aid organizations and local charities will gladly accept leftover currency. Airports often have collection bins (sometimes labeled “Foreign Currency Donations”) where travelers deposit spare change for causes like children’s hospitals or disaster relief.

Once back home, you can mail your foreign currency to charities like Global Coin Solutions and their Foreign Currency Fundraising, which convert the money and funnel it to community programs.

Option 8: Load It Onto Your Starbucks Card

A fun hack for some travelers is to use leftover foreign money to top up a Starbucks Card. Starbucks lets you load gift cards with cash by visiting any participating store in the United States, Canada, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, and the Republic of Ireland, and requesting a card top-up.

The amount is then converted to U.S. dollars on your card, with no exchange fees. Later, when you use the card in the U.S., your foreign bills will have effectively become coffee money. This convenient trick only works in these select countries, but it’s a great way to treat yourself to a latte using spare change.

Option 9: Join a Buyback Program

Many travel agencies and exchange companies offer buyback programs that let you return exchangeable currencies after your trip. These programs usually let you lock in a rate before departure, so you don’t lose value when you come home. If you’re a frequent traveler for business or leisure, this can be a great way to manage your money efficiently and avoid accumulating too much leftover currency over multiple vacation days.

Option 10: Save It for Your Next Trip (or Someone Else’s)

If you’re a frequent traveler or plan to revisit the same destination or one where your leftover currency is legal tender, it might make sense to keep your leftover foreign cash for next time. Many travelers let coins and bills accumulate in a jar or drawer as a de facto travel fund. Create a labeled envelope or wallet for each currency, get a jar for coins, and store them safely. That way, next time you book a flight, you’ll already have spending money ready to go.

You won’t need to exchange as much, and you can use the money for initial expenses like taxi fare, breakfast, or sightseeing tickets, as soon as you arrive. However, be aware that exchange rates fluctuate and currencies can lose value over time due to inflation or economic changes. Use our currency converter before you exchange to see how far your money goes. 

In rare cases, a country might even change its currency (for example, Bulgaria is joining the euro), making your old bills non-exchangeable or even worthless. That said, the opposite can also happen: certain currencies can gain value over time, especially if they’re discontinued, limited edition, or feature rare printing errors. Collectors and numismatists often pay premiums for such notes, turning what might seem like worthless leftover currency into an investment.

So, before you trade or toss old bills, it’s worth checking whether they have any collectible or historical value.

Why Selling Leftover Foreign Currency at US First Exchange Is the Smartest Move

While there are many creative ways to use or donate your leftover currency, selling it through a trusted service like US First Exchange gives you the most immediate return. Whether you’re looking to exchange leftover currency or buy foreign money for travel or collecting, our secure, fast, and customer-first approach ensures you get the best value and peace of mind every time.

Instead of letting your money sit unused, you can turn it back into U.S. dollars safely and efficiently.

• Convenience: Sell leftover currency online without leaving your home.
• Speed: Get your money within 24-28 hours.
• Security: Full tracking and verification at every step.
• Competitive rates: Transparent pricing and live rates with no hidden fees.

If you're wondering where to sell old foreign currency, whether it’s euros, yen, pesos, or pounds, US First Exchange brings global currencies to your fingertips and makes transactions simple and convenient, making it easier than ever to make the most of your unused travel money.

Don’t Let Your Leftover Foreign Currency Go to Waste

It’s easy to come home from an amazing travel experience, unpack, and forget about the loose bills and coins you carried abroad. But that leftover currency can be worth more than you think. Whether you choose to sell leftover currency, donate it, save it for your next adventure, gift it to someone else, or collect, what matters is that you put it to good use.

At the end of the day, every dollar counts, even the ones that used to be yen, euros, or pesos. And with convenient foreign exchange services like US First Exchange, turning foreign bills into spendable U.S. cash online has never been easier. Whatever you decide, acting on your leftover cash will feel better than letting it sit unused. Safe travels and smart spending!