Travel Money Maximiser Discussion Area

purrplepixx

I've been looking at all the online currency sites to get a good deal, but I couldn't get round the fact that I had to pay a 2% visa debit card fee on my Co-op bank card. I also have a little used Barclays bank acount so I looked at their policy on charging (they do), but if you buy the currency from them using a Barclays debit card they don't charge the 2% fee. I found their rates good and you can order online with free delivery - Worth opening an account just to avoid this fee, costs nothing!

Link to buy online currency with barclays:
http://www.personal.barclays.co.uk/BRC1/jsp/brccontrol?site=pfs&task=homefreegroup&value=12634

Barclays rates might be a little off the best rate out there but I think it works out better by not having to pay the 2% fee. Just for information, if you have a Barclays debit card and want to use it to buy currency elsewhere then they do cap their fee at £4.50 (£1.50 min fee)

Hope this helps someone - Happy hols!!!

MattW_4

What about for exchanging your foreign currency back into pounds? Where can I find the best rates for this?

Many thanks.

ann_martinez

Do you get a better rate exchanging GBP's into Euros abroad than you do over here please?

DazzaMc

ann_martinez wrote: »

Do you get a better rate exchanging GBP's into Euros abroad than you do over here please?

I was just thinking the same thing - I'm off to zante in 2 weeks and want about £150 and wan the best possible rate.

Thanks

marksandsparksgal

If you have the luxury of a Nationwide debit account then use that in a cash machine abroad, no charges and a wicked rate. I've been using mine in Berlin loads lately and I'm getting a good couple of points over the best UK broker rate. Actually exchanging cash for cash, it depends where you do it / how good you are at haggling at a lot of places.

Re changing leftover currency, esecially euros, you'll always lose out, it's the way they make their money. Best thing you can do is if it's euros/dollars and you are a: going again, and b: have the financial resources to keep them, then just keep them until next time.

If not, try to sell them to a friend/family member etc at cost price, e.g. go to M&S and ask how much it would cost to buy say, €100, then charge you friend that price or slightly under, and yu'll still get more than if you returned them to a broker.

Otherwise you can always try ebay, there are some really stupid people paying well over the cash pricce for some euros, I just checked and there is an auction for €40 going for £35 + £1.50 P&P!! (Obviously always use recorded/special delivery etc).

HTH

marksandsparksgal

dzug wrote: »

AFAIK $US notes never expire.

They don't expire, but just for info. brokers in the UK can refuse to take outmoded ones, e.g. M&S will not take old style $100 bills, but we're going back a hell of a long time here, for the simple reason we couldn't give them back out again. In this situation we'd refer people to their bank.

However AFAIK the US banks don't have any plans to outmode notes for a good while yet, and obv. they would always be valid if you took them to a bank in the states.

This also goes for TCs that never expire, and AFAIK this refers to the UK as well, since a few months ago we took back some with 19.... pre-printed on the date! Obviously the longer you have them the more important it is to keep the paperwork, especially if the design of the cheques is changed.

MattW_4

Many thanks for the advice, marksandsparksgal :T

brodiebones

Can anyone confirm whether Bank of Scotland charge for buying foreign currency from another company? I see on martin's page that Halifax don't, but I cannot see BOS mentioned. Anyone know? Even BOS's pages doesn't mention it, which makes me think they don't charge.

TIA
Andrea

catokelly

Hi,
Bank of Scotland (or Halifax) don't charge you for purchasing currency from a different company if you pay with a DEBIT card (usually the card number starts with 4462...)

ema1503

Hi- does anyone know if these are any good?!
I am looking at going to the states for a fortnight and don't really want to be carrying a load of cash around. I also find that changing travellers cheques can be a bit of a pain as you have to go to the bank all the time!

It sounds like a perfect solution, but of course the travelex website will suggest that:rolleyes: . So I wondered if anyone had experience of this, and whether the cards are widely accepted in shops/ restaurants etc.

Also the website says that you have to pay for cash withdrawals, but I assume that you don't have to pay if you use it in a shop i.e. swipe it like a debit card.

Any advice greatfully recieved!