When you’re converting money abroad, it’s crucial to understand the gap between “send” and “receive” rates. The send rate is what your provider pays you when you sell your home currency, while the receive rate is what you actually get in the foreign currency after conversion. The difference—known as the spread—is where banks and money‑transfer services earn their profit, so a narrower spread means more buying power for you. Always compare live send vs. receive rates across multiple platforms and look for providers that offer mid‑market pricing or small, transparent margins. Avoid airport kiosks and hotel exchanges, which often impose inflated spreads, and consider specialist remittance services if you need to move larger sums. By focusing on both send and receive rates, you can maximize every dollar, euro, or yen you send, keeping more of your hard‑earned cash in your pocket when you travel.