Travel Money Maximiser Discussion Area

luci

Hubbles101 wrote: »

Hi all,

Does anyone know if you can claim back tax on goods bought in the USA? I heard somewhere that you could claim back state tax eg florida would be around 6%. Sorry to wander slightly from thread but this too saves you money..no response on the florida thread.. ta hub x

The short answer is no you can't claim back the sales tax from the USA.

craigieboi

Hi,

Just to advise it wouldn't have been marksies that charged the £1.75 but when you buy money its classed as a cash advance from your bank and its actually them who take this charge.

Still marksies should have told you as it's a common thing, just banks filling their ever bulging wallets.

hennypenny007

I've posted a separate thread, but you guys might be able to help - here's my query:

Going around the world for 3 months. Will pay off any CC we get in full each month - what card should we get? Have already applied for AMex thru British Airways to cash in on Airmiles (in addition to our miles from our Flights.) But what about cash withdrawing?
Am getting really confused by it all - should I just use a debit card (got RBS or Bank of S.) or take out another CC?
Please can someone help?! THanks
HP

ANGIE56

Got a great deal on changing GBP into Aussie dollars - great I thought until I looked at my Alliance & Leicester account. Got charged £7.56 for the transaction! What a ripoff. How can they charge such an exhorbitant fee - surely it's the same as using an ATM.

Suppose it's back to the Post Office again!

dzug

ANGIE56 wrote: »

Got a great deal on changing GBP into Aussie dollars - great I thought until I looked at my Alliance & Leicester account. Got charged £7.56 for the transaction! What a ripoff. How can they charge such an exhorbitant fee - surely it's the same as using an ATM.

Suppose it's back to the Post Office again!

Just remember not to use your A&L (and many others) card to pay for the currency there, then. Withdraw the cash first, at the Post Office if you can, and use that to buy the currency

There's no 'surely' about it, alas. They don't regard it the same as using an ATM - and there's no rule that ATMs HAVE to be free anyway. If you don't like it there are cards that don't charge.

matt1hav

My girlfriend is working on a cruise ship abroad and is being paid in Euros whilst out there, what is the cheapest way to get the money back into £ and into her UK account?

I know there is western union but sure that probably isnt the cheapest way to do it.

Help!

Merry Christmas! Thanks!

PAUL_C

Hi I am looking at getting some dollers with some spare money I have I want to buy 1000 pounds worth at the best rate possible.Until I read this thread I was going to 1 but from thomas global when i visit london this week or 2 use travelex as I can get to gatwick easy to collect.I was thinking these because they come out on top of the maximiser but now it looks as if i could get same rate elswhere or possibly better crown currency have caught my eye with a great rate for may this would be ok for me but is this risk free ? What would you do in my shoes many thanx in advance Paul

chiefdave

so i'm off to vegas in april, i've got the money in my savings account for hotels and a few day trips and that kind of thing. my question is would i be better off ordering travellers cheques now while the exchange rate is good or use a (nationwide) debit card when i'm there?

dzug

chiefdave wrote: »

so i'm off to vegas in april, i've got the money in my savings account for hotels and a few day trips and that kind of thing. my question is would i be better off ordering travellers cheques now while the exchange rate is good or use a (nationwide) debit card when i'm there?

Probably your Nationwide card.

To get TCs now you are going to pay about 5%* in exchange rate loading, plus loss of interest in the meantime. Your card will cost you nothing in exchange charges - possibly a $ or two if you use the wrong cash machine

* yes you can pay a bit less if you shop around, but that's a normal High Street rate.

That's a big change in rates in 3 months for you to gain on getting them now - rates don't normally change that quickly.

charlieheard

The mother-in-law showed me a brochure yesterday from the Post Office about their credit card, which has a fee of 0% for foreign transactions. Funnily enough, she said the lady behind the counter at the PO recommended it :rolleyes:

No idea what the loading is on the exchange rates, but is this a suitable card?