Cheapest way of exchanging Euros?

LewisC_2

Hi everyone,

My girlfriend and I are going to Nice for a few days in two weeks time - where can we get our money exchanged for Euros, perferably free?

As a side note, I have debit card at NatWest - I know this isn't ideal when abroad, but what's the cheapest way of using that?


Thanks in advance :beer:

richardw

M&S have good rates, otherwise stick your card in the machine at Nice airport when you get there.

Steve_xx

Travelex.co.uk is good. Euro rate is currently 1.4328

Finishrich

Check out Martin's Article on Overseas Spend on the main site.

pin

Hi, Here is my list of top places on how to get money to spend abroad:

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

Hope this all helps!!

lowbrim

Travelex online and pick up at the airport is definatly the cheapest and ifyou pay the extra £3.50 they will buy the Euro's nopt used back from you at the same rate you bought them at. I always use them now with Nationwide as a back up.

lowbrim

Travelex online and pick up at the airport is definatly the cheapest and ifyou pay the extra £3.50 they will buy the Euro's nopt used back from you at the same rate you bought them at. I always use them now with Nationwide as a back up.

lowbrim

Travelex online and pick up at the airport is the cheapest and by far the best rate also if you pay the extra £3.50 they will buy the Euro's not used back from you at the same rate you bought them at. I always use them now with Nationwide as a back up.

MissBehaving

i followed a previous link about foreign exchange last time i needed it.
I kept an eye on Thomas Exchange and also Travelex. A couple of days before we were due to travel I purchased my forex online with Travelex and did the price promise (I hope they still have it) and sent them the rates for Thomas Exchange.
When we got home there was a refund cheque waiting for us.
Going to do the same this time with Euros for Brussells.

Just did a conversion - for £200 at Travelex I would get Euros 287.84 and at Thomas Exchange I would get Euros 295.00