The euro and the participating 11 national currencies will also fluctuate in tandem against all other currencies, such as the non-participating British pound and Swiss franc. When you exchange one of the 11 national currencies for another, the rate will NOT fluctuate. You will find many prices posted in BOTH national currencies and in euros. This is intended mainly to acquaint Europeans with the value of the euro during the transition period. Again, all purchases with paper notes and coins will be in the national currencies.
Several companies plan to add euro traveler s checks to their offerings.
You would be able to exchange them for bank notes in national currency or make purchases directly, with any change coming to you in national currency. The credit-card company would then convert the euro charge to dollars on bills you receive back home. Comparison shopping from country to country will be much easier. At that date, the euro will stand alone in the 11 participating countries, just as the dollar stands alone in the 50 American states.