Currency exhange at the airport..

xxxkittycatmeowxxx

Hi all...I'm new just joined today...
I'm off to Tenerife in a few days and still haven't given a thought to what or how to exchange my money! Does anyone know the best exchange rate...or where...and if the airport is any good...is there only one place at the airport to exchange??? please help?!xx:A

Red_Panda_2

Exchange rates at airports are rubbish, if you do want to collect at the airport buy it in advance if you can with Travelex and pick it up when you get there. Much better exchange rate.

Infidel

What's the next best thing after that? (i.e.- Euros in hand when you hand over pounds).
Does the post office still hold up in that respect?

curtlyb

Red_Panda wrote: »

Exchange rates at airports are rubbish, if you do want to collect at the airport buy it in advance if you can with Travelex and pick it up when you get there. Much better exchange rate.

Red Panda's advice is spot-on, Travelex guarantee the best uk exchange rate if you go to their website and pre-buy, just make sure the office is in the correct terminal you are departing from. they also do a buy-back at the same rate as you bought it for, this can be done (at Manchester anyway) in the baggage reclaim area on your return and you can amble on down whilst 'the world and his wife' are fighting for conveyor belt space

xxxkittycatmeowxxx

thanks guys... so if i log onto travelex purchase online i should be able to pick up from bham airport...?

Froggitt

Travelex rates are not that good, so you must use their "best rate guarantee". They will match http://www.thomasexchangeglobal.co.uk/ which is quoting 1.455€ and $1.95 today..........Travelex is €1.434 and $1.914.

Yes you can pick up at Bham Airport.

dzug

Travelex is OK if your particular debit card doesn't charge you a 1.5% fee for buying foreign currency - some do, some don't, and I've not much idea about which.

Otherwise just leave your money in your bank account and get it out at an ATM when you get there. You will (unless your card is Nationwide) pay some commission or fees but you will gain it back in a better exchange rate.

xxxkittycatmeowxxx

I've never withdrawn money from the cashpoint machines abroad...any tips on what I should watch out for...my friend said they ask tell you the percentage?? they're going to charge...I really have no idea!!!

alared

Froggitt wrote: »

Travelex rates are not that good, so you must use their "best rate guarantee". They will match http://www.thomasexchangeglobal.co.uk/ which is quoting 1.455€ and $1.95 today..........Travelex is €1.434 and $1.914.

Yes you can pick up at Bham Airport.

How do you go about getting their "best rate guarantee"

Do you have to phone, because I can`t see how it can be done on their site.
Do you have a number for them?

dzug

xxxkittycatmeowxxx wrote: »

I've never withdrawn money from the cashpoint machines abroad...any tips on what I should watch out for...my friend said they ask tell you the percentage?? they're going to charge...I really have no idea!!!

Most machines worldwide charge you nothing - some in convenience stores, etc, may charge as they would here, and will tell you in advance if they do.

It's your bank at home that levies the charges - you'd need to ask them, and be prepared for total ignorance on the part of most staff.

Froggitt

alared wrote: »

How do you go about getting their "best rate guarantee"

Do you have to phone, because I can`t see how it can be done on their site.
Do you have a number for them?

https://www.travelex.co.uk/personal/priceguarantee.asp

We must be able to verify the prices you have been offered to our reasonable satisfaction. If the alternative quote you have found is not on the internet, you will need to telephone us on: 08702 405 405 or email us at: customerservices@travelex.com on the same Business Day that you obtained the quote and made your purchase from us. You will need to tell us the total price you obtained from Travelex, the name and address of the alternative foreign currency retailer, the total price offered to you by that retailer and the times and dates you obtained the Travelex and the alternative quotes. To speak to a Travelex representative in person please call during office hours which are from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. If the alternative quote that you have found is on the internet you can also telephone or email us as above or you can write to us at Travelex Price Matching Offer, Marketing Department, 65 Kingsway, London WC2B 6TD enclosing a print out of your Travelex purchase confirmation, a print out of the competitive quote, exact website address you obtained the quote from and confirmation of the times and dates you obtained the Travelex and the alternative quotes. Postal entries must be received by us within 14 Business Days after purchase.