Travel money

gem4

Left it a bit late I know. Options are to buy online, get it delivered to my home for a fiver, or pick up in bank for free.
Travelex seems to have the best rate, can be bought online and picked up at airport.
Has anyone collected money from the airport this way? I haven't.......just wondered how easy/complicating it is.

Reluctant_spender

Travelex online with collection at the airport works very well.

I have used them loads and the exchange rate is much better than just a cold call at the counter.

very straight forward you need confirmation e-mail, passport and bank card used to order the cash.

alanrowell

gem4 wrote: »

Left it a bit late I know. Options are to buy online, get it delivered to my home for a fiver, or pick up in bank for free.

Or use an ATM at your destination airport

Inactive

gem4 wrote: »

Left it a bit late I know. Options are to buy online, get it delivered to my home for a fiver, or pick up in bank for free.
Travelex seems to have the best rate, can be bought online and picked up at airport.

Check out Marks & Spencer, Saga, and HSBC for rates, none of them charge for delivery over a certain sum.;)

Steve_xx

Travelex works well for picking upat airports. I've used it on many occasions and had no problem at all.

budgetflyer

You must take the card you ordered the money with.They wont give you any money without it.

Heres how to wack em for up to an extra 2%

shudd1967

never had any problem with Travelex collecting at the airport, as the above posters say do take the card you bought the currency on with you or your a bit stuffed!

monkeyspanner

Travellex is fine and the on-line rate is better than over the counter. You will need to use a debit card to pay and your bank may charge to pay travellex. Mine (LloydsTSB) charge 1.5% this normally brings the exchange rate to around the same as the bank but still more convenient. Exchange rates on credit card transactions abroad are normally better than the cash as long as the rates don't change much.

Finishrich

budgetflyer wrote: »

You must take the card you ordered the money with.They wont give you any money without it.

Don't I know it!! :rolleyes:

Other than having that problem one time, I've used them for the past few years - really pleased with the service.

Edinburghlass_2

I too use Travelex for pick up at the airport and been very pleased but if anyone is heading to the US, this w/end only Thomas Cook have an offer of $2 per £ on travellers cheques, instore only, minimum £1000 and maximum £3000.

Make sure you take your passport with you

pin

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).

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).

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 (they also offer a delivery service, but charge £5).

6. Link Foreign Exchange ("LinkFX") in Victoria Station, central London - pay and pick up at store.

7. 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) or LinkFX (02072338822) 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 or LinkFX (and the fact you got it from TEG or LinkFX) 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.

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

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

10. 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).

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

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

13. 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.

14. 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 - 14, 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