Travelex Query???? $$$

goldbyron

I posted on here regarding changing pounds to dollars and I have been advised that Travelex is the best rates. Do you have to be leaving the country to pick them up at the airport or can you collect from ‘this side’? Thanks!

Jazzy_B

I collected mine from my local airport a few days before I was due to travel from another airport. I used them several times, and always pick up a few days before, just to be on the safe side. You don't need any travel documents, but I think you need your passport, and the card you ordered the currency with.
I would definitely recommend them, and the "Buy back " service has always been well worth it.

fatboyonadiet

You can pick them up from the airport, on their site they'll tell you were they're located. I normally order online a few days before, using meastro is best some Visa debit cards charge, get a quote from Thomas Global Exchange, get them to price-match and pick up once I've checked in. HTH.

pin

Hi, depends on the airport, but you can choose to use the Travelex counters landside (i.e. before security) or airside (i.e. after security).

However do see my list re foreign spending (and also re TEG price matching):

1. Nationwide Debit Card for ATM withdrawals from destination country (no foreign loading) / the Audi credit card or the Post Office 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. Nationwide Credit Card (due to Nationwides policy re forced use of Chip and Pin in foreign countries) (no foreign loading for purchases, BUT watch charges for cash withdrawals).

3. 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).

4. 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).

5. Thomas Exchange Global ("TEG") in central London - pay and pick up at store.

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

For price matching: order through Travelex online as you would do normally, then call up TEG (02072401214 or 02078281880) and get a quote re their exchange rate. Email Travelex: [EMAIL="customerservices@travelex.com"]customerservices@travelex.com[/EMAIL] (must be done on the same day) stating the following: your Travelex reference number, your currency quote from TEG (and the fact you got it from TEG) and your address (Travelex will send you a cheque refunding the difference). Also Travelex normally acknowledge receipt of your email. Full terms and conditions of the Travelex Price Promise are on the Travelex website.

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

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

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

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

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

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

With 4 - 12, if you are paying with debit / credit card check your T&C's as many providers charge for the privilege of using money exchange services.

Here are links to ATM locators: VISA and MasterCard

Here are various information links to VISA: Foreign Exhcnage Rate FAQ and Visa Exchange Rates

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

stu_iow

Thanks to PIN for the above post. I found this very useful and hopefully will be getting around £30 more dollars for my money, that's no small amount. Plus was easier that trudging around the high street during my lunch break.

Stu.