Is it cheaper to purchase US Dollars abroad or at home?

specialangel

A few people have advised me that it will be more prudent to buy my US dollars on arrival as I will get a better exchange rate than home.
The best I have seen in recent weeks is about $1.90 to the £1.
Can anyone advise please?

Many Thanks

Finishrich

Change them before you go. Don't take sterling to the USA they wouldn't know what to do with it. Most won't have seen another currency other than the US dollar. Plus I can't think that I've ever seen any foreign exchange facilities there like you do in the UK or the rest of Europe.

Take a nationwide debit or credit card with you, you'll get a better deal using that than exchanging cash before you go. Card payments are widely accepted even for really small purchases.

fatboyonadiet

Credit to pin for this comprehensive post, his hard work NOT mine!

Hi, Here is my list of top places on how to get money to spend abroad: [FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=times new roman,new york,times,serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=times new roman,new york,times,serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=times new roman,new york,times,serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=times new roman,new york,times,serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=times new roman,new york,times,serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]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 (please note Nationwide's policy re chip and pin in foreign countries: see this thread from FlyerTalk) (no foreign loading for purchases, BUT watch charges for cash withdrawals).
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=times new roman,new york,times,serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=times new roman,new york,times,serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=times new roman,new york,times,serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][FONT=times new roman,new york,times,serif][FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]
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. HSBC (they seem to use Amex as their travel money provider and offer free delivery for orders over £350) - pay online, deliver to home or pick up from branch (and avoid any delivery charge).

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

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

12. 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.

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

With 1 - 4 make sure you tell your card provider you are going abroad, where you are going and for how long, so they can put a note on your account.

With 5 - 13, 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 Exchange Rate FAQ and Visa Exchange Rates

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

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

Hope this all helps!![/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]