XE Trade review: Lower exchange rates to India: on-line money transfer service from XE.com

Xe.com is one of the most visited website to find the currency conversion rates, accidently I found the link for their foreign exchange service called XE Trade and immediately registered for that thinking that they will give the best rate.

The account opening was bit long process, I had to register then send my ID proof (copy of passport) address proof (copy of bank statement) then I had to call them to verify myself.

I got my account activated after three days and happily logged in to my account to find the x-rates between EUR/INR and USD/INR.

I was really disappointed to see their rates, the rates was much lower than the expected rates. At the same time I compared the rates offered by ICICI, money2india, SBI and PNB international etc. They were far better than the Xetrade.

You can see the screen shots of the rates taken at the same time and date from their website Xe.com and from my XE trade account.

Xe.com rate

Xe-Trade quote

Finally I decided not to use XE-Trade to send money to India, what you did? Please share your views about XeTrade if you have ever send money to India.

This blog post my personal view and is not indented to write again XE trade and Xe.com, Some people may find xe.com better for their needs.

China airlines non stop direct flight between India and Italy (Rome-Delhi)

China Airlines is the first airline to operate a direct flight between Delhi and Rome. Earlier there was direct flight from Alitalia which stopped after some problems.

According to the news, Starting on December 1 2009, China Airlines has started three round-trip flights each week from Taoyuan Taiwan to Delhi and Rome. The flight will start from Delhi around 1300-1400 Hours, unlikely other EU airlines with stats in mid night, and reach Roma Fumicino (FCO) at 1800-1900 Hrs. While going back, it will start Rome around 2200-2300 Hours and reach Indira Gandhi New Delhi international airport in the morning around 1100 Hrs.

Timing wise, I would say it much better than other airlines, at least for the Indian living in central and south Italy. The people living in North Italy should add around 100 EUR to reach Rome. The rates are quite cheap as you can get the min fare is 392 EUR, which comes to be 545 EUR after taxes.

If you have problem related to your permesso di soggiorno, then this could be best option.