Cheap Travel Money Discussion Area

WAYT

mrsvanderkamp wrote: »

Hi

I have ordered some euros to pick up at Stansted on Saturday. I did this primarily because the rate offered was 1.1289, but as you pay on collection, if the rate goes up significantly post the GE, I could cancel the order and start again without incurring any loss. My only question, and I don't seem to be able to find a clear answer to on their website, is whether if the rate I have ordered at is fixed, meaning that if the rate goes down, I still get my euros as per my confirmed order rate? I think this is the case from past use with them, but I just want to be sure and wondered if anyone could confirm.

Many thanks

Why would you do so anyway? It's not a good rate.
Monzo should be able to get a card out to you. Better still if in or around London, pick up a Metro Bank debit card. The create them in branch and dispense them on the spot.
What cards do you have currently?

AlexMac

Only just seen your post

hollydays wrote: »

Is there still a comparison tool on here to find out where to get the best rate on euros?

Uhh? Yes. Click Travel on the topbar and it leads you to
http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com
(I assume you're on a handset or app- otherwise it's obvious?

Anyway- worth using; I follow its advice meticulously, exchange cash from an agency at a great pre-ordered rate prior for day to day expenses (I don't like to use cards in unknown restaurants or shops especially in Southern Italy; I have friends who've been scammed in London, let alone Camorra-land!)

Better still, I finally got round to getting a Halifax Clarity credit card for hotel bills for bigger sums;

and using this, I got a great rate late last month- 5% better than the ATM rate when I had to get another 250 Euros out on my Natwest Card in Spain; so a 12.50 Euro saving which is the price of a meal with wine in Cantabria!

So thank you Martin and the MSE geeks!

eDicky

AlexMac wrote: »

or shops especially in Southern Italy; I have friends who've been scammed in London, let alone Camorra-land!)

Better still, I finally got round to getting a Halifax Clarity credit card for hotel bills for bigger sums;

and using this, I got a great rate late last month- 5% better than the ATM rate when I had to get another 250 Euros out on my Natwest Card in Spain; so a 12.50 Euro saving which is the price of a meal with wine in Cantabria!

What do you mean by 'ATM rate'? Did you select to be debited in pounds?

Why don't you withdraw cash with your Clarity or other travel card, instead of paying more to buy cash euros?

WAYT

AlexMac wrote: »

Only just seen your post


Uhh? Yes. Click Travel on the topbar and it leads you to
http://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com
(I assume you're on a handset or app- otherwise it's obvious?

Anyway- worth using; I follow its advice meticulously, exchange cash from an agency at a great pre-ordered rate prior for day to day expenses (I don't like to use cards in unknown restaurants or shops especially in Southern Italy; I have friends who've been scammed in London, let alone Camorra-land!)

Better still, I finally got round to getting a Halifax Clarity credit card for hotel bills for bigger sums;

and using this, I got a great rate late last month- 5% better than the ATM rate when I had to get another 250 Euros out on my Natwest Card in Spain; so a 12.50 Euro saving which is the price of a meal with wine in Cantabria!

So thank you Martin and the MSE geeks!

You appear to have totally misinterpreted just about all the advice given on this board.
You can use the Clarity for taking cash out in Euros from an ATM in Italy. Absolutely no reason to use the ludicrously expensive NatWest card.

murphydavid

AlexMac wrote: »

Better still, I finally got round to getting a Halifax Clarity credit card for hotel bills for bigger sums;

Just to agree with the previous post.
You can use Halifax Clarity everywhere; for small and big sums up to your credit limit, including any shop that takes credit cards just like in the UK and most ATMs for cash. Always ask / check you pay the amount to be paid in local currency, don't let them covert it to pounds for you because some try to give you a worse exchange rate if given half a chance.

Raystockton

I am also looking for the best rates. Currently with Norwich& Peterborough. No charges and the best rates. Only good till later this year. Anyone know of the best rates from the switching banks?

murphydavid

Raystockton wrote: »

I am also looking for the best rates. Currently with Norwich& Peterborough. No charges and the best rates. Only good till later this year. Anyone know of the best rates from the switching banks?

If you are asking what I think you are then in my opinion you are best not to combine switching banks with trying to get the best cheap travel money. I sugest you read the MSE artical on switching banks and similarly read the MSE artical on cheap travel money and treat each as a completely separate exercise. I don't think there is a single bank that is best at both.

Maxwell007

I'm flying out on Saturday and silly me has been waiting for the Euro to pick up against the pound . . .


today its 1.265 to the £, that's 560euro for £497,


Will I get a better rate over in Spain when I land !?

WAYT

Maxwell007 wrote: »

I'm flying out on Saturday and silly me has been waiting for the Euro to pick up against the pound . . .


today its 1.265 to the £, that's 560euro for £497,


Will I get a better rate over in Spain when I land !?

That isn't the rate. You are looking at the Sell rate as opposed to the Buy rate. The rate is 1.14442 EUR
You won't get that here. Only from an ATM with the correct plastic.

eDicky

...Or maybe the dollar rate..?

Mid-market rate for euro right now is 1.144

We don't know who you intend to exchange with.