Holiday Cancelled - Currency exchanged back large amounts?

szam_

Hi all,

Quick query as i'm new to going away, my first ever holiday was only in August.

My girlfriends Grandmother has apparently taken a turn for the worse and may pass way in the next few weeks. We're due to fly out to Munich next Saturday, she's adamant she wants to go and fly home if she passes away while out there (despite me asking her to reconsider and stay to console her mother should the worst happen).

Since she's adamant we still go, if i got myself my planned 700 euros (this is mine, she gets her own) but it is cancelled, are places likely to exchange such a large quantity back to GBP? I realise i'll be losing money on it, but i'm just wondering if they do large amounts at all, i'd imagine they expect small amounts usually.

Thanks in advance.

Alan_Bowen

There would be no problem at all changing that amount, but you would lose a considerable amount in the process since the buying and selling rates allow banks and others to make a nice profit. If you think there is a real chance of the need to cancel, suggest you just arrange 100 euros to tide you over and use your debit card to withdraw more in Germany as necessary and also check your travel insurance to make sure you will be covered for the loss of the holiday, presumably skiing, if you have to cancel

Voyager2002

700 Euro would not be regarded as a large amount. In any case, if your holiday were to be disrupted then presumably you would want to go again fairly soon, so the currency would not be wasted.

benjus

As above... I would reiterate Alan's suggestion to use a card instead, as that way you will only have to convert what you actually use.

If your current debit cards are a bit expensive to use abroad, you could consider getting an alternative. The only options at such short notice are:

1. If you're in the London area you could open a Metro Bank account and use their debit card. You can only open accounts in person, and are given the card immediately.
2. If there's a TravelEx branch near you or in your departure airport, you could get one of the TravelEx prepaid cards. The TravelEx cash passport Globe isn't as good a deal as it used to be, but is cheaper than most (not all) debit cards.

Probably best to check out the "cheap travel money" link on this site and see how much your debit cards would cost to use over there.

Obviously_the_best

A FairFX anywhere card would probably suit you nicely (click here)

benjus

Obviously_the_best wrote: »

A FairFX anywhere card would probably suit you nicely (click here)

I'm not sure when the OP intends to fly, but if it's Saturday 12th it would be risky to order any kind of card that's delivered in the post.