Foreign currency - a different way

thelmarnold

I found a site (Crowncurrencyexchange) which offers to supply foreign currency at a much better rate than I have seen elsewhere. The rate depends upon the interval between date of ordering and date wanted for.
Has anyone used it? How did it go?

pin

It has been mentioned a few times.

However as we don't know which way currency markets are going to go in the future, I personally don't think it is worth the risk.

I prefer to stick to my list:

1. Nationwide Debit Card for ATM withdrawals from destination country (no foreign loading) / Nationwide Credit Card or the Audi credit card for purchases in destination country (but watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion) (no foreign loading for purchases, BUT watch charges for cash withdrawals).

2. SAGA credit card (if you are over 50) for purchases in destination country (no foreign loading for European purchases, 1% for rest of the world, no cash withdrawal interest if balance repaid in full BUT 1.5%/£1.50 cash withdrawal fee).

3. 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).

4. Thomas Exchange Global in central London - pay and pick up at store.

5. Travelex online (remember Travelex will price match any other exchange service, i.e. the one above) -pay online, pick up at airport.

6. Marks and Spencer - pay online or pay and pick up instore.

7. Online FX (using this link ensures free deliver) - pay online, delivery to home.

8. Thomson Travel (they seem to use Amex as their travel money provider) - pay online, delivery to home.

9. Co-op Travel (they use Curreny Express / Exchange and offer free delivery for orders over £300) - pay online, delivery to home.

10. Post Office (while probably not the best rate, there are many of them around, so may be convinient) - pay online, pick up at PO or pay and pick up at PO.

11. Haggle with High Street travel agent (which may ensure better rates than 5 to 9 above) - pay and pick up instore.

With 4 - 11, 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.

Here are links to ATM locators: VISA and MasterCard

Also please read Martin's article: Spending Overseas and Loading Technicals

Also look at the these forum threads: Travel Money: The List & The Cheapest Way to Spend Overseas Discussion Area and How to buy TCs and foreign currency

Hope this all helps!!

thelmarnold

Thanks for the answer but I am talking about periods as small as 14 days and the differences in rates from those quoted elsewhere and the ones offered on the site are significant.
Do you know if anyone has had problems with it?

Burtie_2

But their rates are a lot lower than using, for example, a Nationwide Debit/Credit card whilst abroad. I recently returned from New York and got over $1.89 per pound ( their rate is 1.84 and https://www.xe.com/ucc shows 1.88 which is approx what NW would give).

Why bother/risk speculating on the currency markets, especially when the minimum amount (without incurring a fee) is £500!!

albalad

nice comprehensive list there pin , wasn't aware of the audi credit card though ......... must've missed that one