Foreign Currency - Best Deal?

tobys_mummy_2

1: nationwide
2: thomas global exchange (but they are only in london)
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3: marks and spencers
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the ******s indicate where i would insert debit cards on the list.it depends on their individual charges whether they are better or worse than M&S. for example from personal experience have found halifax to be better, but HSBC to be worse.

any online websites may have better rates, but as it is seen as a cash advance you will have to pay the same charges from your bank as if you made a cash withdrawal abroad. But from the ATM you would get the visa rate for that day, which is always going to be better than the exchange company as it is the rate that exchange companies buy at and they then sell it to you at a lesser one.

pin

Its been asked soo, soo many times, where is the best place to get holiday money?

I know there are articles about holiday money, etc, however I thought I would write a little list of my top choices:

1. Nationwide Debit Card for ATM withdrawals from destination country / Nationwide Credit Card for purchases in destination country (but watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion).

2. Any other debit card for ATM withdrawals from destination country / any other credit card for purchases in destination country (but for both CHECK T&C's to see exact charges).

3. Thomas Exchange Global in central London: www.thomasexchangeglobal.co.uk

4. Travelex online: www.travelex.co.uk (remember Travelex will price match any other exchange service)

5. Marks and Spencer

6. Thomson Travel (they seem to use Amex as their travel money provider): http://www.thomson.co.uk/po/showEsse...o?essential=fx

7. Co-op Travel (they use Curreny Express / Exchange and offer free delivery for orders over £300):
https://www.currency-express.com/cooptravelshop/

8. Online FX (their rates probably look higher than the others, but do watch, as they charge £4.95 for delivering the currency): http://www.onlinefx.co.uk/

9. Post Office

With 3 - 9, if you are paying with debit / credit card check your T&C's as many providers charge for the priviledge of using money exchange services.