Travel Money Maximiser Discussion Area

LittleJo

Hi,
I found that in the US you could use US dollar travellers cheques like cash.
It is as well to get a good mix of denominations.
Jo

phillai

I went to M&S to change my money but they need my passport or driving license.

I will be flying to Amsterdam at 7am tomorrow so I've not really got many options now as regards to where I can get my money changed as I'm at work.

I have enough euros to get by but where is the best place to change UK pounds to euros in Amsterdam?

Many thanks in advance to all replies.

Deadilus

I am going to USA in a couple of weeks initially staying in New York and then taking a cruise on an American Liner around the carribean. I have Barclays Debit and credit cards (visa), plus American Express credit card and a Lloyds TSB(mastercard)

I have used the Travel Money maximiser and the exchange rates look great but

my question is which should I use for best value re exchange rates. Or should I simply take cash/travellers cheques. Obviously in New York I can access the ATM's, but on board the ship it's a cashless system, and you get the bill on the last night although you are req'd to register your card details before embarkation, and also nominate which method you intend to settle your account.

dzug

Deadilus wrote: »

I am going to USA in a couple of weeks initially staying in New York and then taking a cruise on an American Liner around the carribean. I have Barclays Debit and credit cards (visa), plus American Express credit card and a Lloyds TSB(mastercard)


I have used the Travel Money maximiser and the exchange rates look great but

my question is which should I use for best value re exchange rates. Or should I simply take cash/travellers cheques. Obviously in New York I can access the ATM's, but on board the ship it's a cashless system, and you get the bill on the last night although you are req'd to register your card details before embarkation, and also nominate which method you intend to settle your account.

Debit card in an ATM for cash. Amex card to pay your cruise bill - it is very slightly cheaper (a whole 0.002% !!) than the others.

claret_&_blue

Hi,
Why are the above bank charging to make a purchase from Travelex. Surely if you use a debit card to purchase goods there shouldnt be any charge. I am sure i have purchased foreign currency from the Post Office in this way and not been charged. I think a more prominent warning should be applied as it may not be the best deal for users of this card.
Regards

dzug

claret_&_blue wrote: »

Hi,
Why are the above bank charging to make a purchase from Travelex. Surely if you use a debit card to purchase goods there shouldnt be any charge. I am sure i have purchased foreign currency from the Post Office in this way and not been charged. I think a more prominent warning should be applied as it may not be the best deal for users of this card.
Regards

Sorry there's no 'surely' about it. Foreign currency is not 'goods' and many banks charge for its purchase, including A&L. They regard it as a cash advance from an off-network cash machine. Whether that's right or wrong can be argued ad infinitum, but it is so.

What I suspect is at the Post Office you did two separate transactions - withdrew cash with your A&L card - which you can do over the PO counter, free. Then used the cash to buy your currency. A sufficiently knowledgeable PO clerk may have done it this way without you realising - to save you the charge.

claret_&_blue

Thanks for your observations, the point about the Post Office is correct thinking back.However i still dont agree that the A&L should be charging.If i was purchasing the currency from themselves they may have a case for such a charge but i made the purchase from Travelex.Also the A&L didnt advance me any cash, they merely took money from my current account to settle a transaction i made with Travelex. Travelex made the request to my bank in stirling.

dzug

claret_&_blue wrote: »

Thanks for your observations, the point about the Post Office is correct thinking back.However i still dont agree that the A&L should be charging.If i was purchasing the currency from themselves they may have a case for such a charge but i made the purchase from Travelex.Also the A&L didnt advance me any cash, they merely took money from my current account to settle a transaction i made with Travelex. Travelex made the request to my bank in stirling.

You might not agree with it, but tiz so, alas. Charges for current account transactions are perfectly legitimate - it's just that we in this country have become accustomed to their absence. I can remember a time when all UK banks made a charge of so much a cheque.

wilroda

As we are off on holiday in a few months i chatted to Nationwide today about opening a flexaccount and came away disappointed!
I was hoping to load the account with money for the holiday and take advantage of the free card use, then possibly in the future use the account more.
It would appear that you have to have it as your main account. i.e pay your salary into it in order to get the debit( visa) card. Otherwise you would just get a cashcard for use in the branch.
I am a little disappointed - I did explain that I was a new customer with them ( ex Portman) but they werent having it.

sudabera

HI

Has anyone used this site to purchase currency as their rates appear to much higher than those previously discussed.

I know its probably because they keep your money for various lengths of time but wondered if anyone had used them and what they felt about their services

Thanks