Ordering holiday money in small denominations

Tia_24

Hi

I'm off to Mexico in October and need to order some holiday money, ideally in small denominations as it will be used for tipping and small presents etc. Does anyone know of any foreign exchanges or companies online that issue foreign currency in small denominations?

Thanks in advance

benjus

You won't get a great rate for Mexican Pesos here, so you would be just as well off using your debit card in an ATM, even if you don't have one of the optimum overseas spending cards - and ATMs usually dispense small denominations. If you take the time to get one of the recommended cards (e.g. Halifax Clarity) you'll get a perfect rate.

If you change cash over here you may be forced to take whatever denominations are available, as it's not a major currency.

HoofeHearted

Why not take US$, or are they out of favour again in Mexico due to money laundering drug gangs?

Mexico seems to keep changing their mind on US$.

stephb34

Usually you get large notes from banks or online and when ever I've withdrawn from a speed bank abroad its always given me larger notes not small. How ever if you go into a high street currency seller ie Thomas cook you can ask them to order small notes, but you need to ask the rate or you may not get a very good one. If you order on the net to collect in your local Tcook you will get their best rate which today is 19.96, then ring them or pop in and tell them you want small notes.

photome

stephb34 wrote: »

Usually you get large notes from banks or online and when ever I've withdrawn from a speed bank abroad its always given me larger notes not small. How ever if you go into a high street currency seller ie Thomas cook you can ask them to order small notes, but you need to ask the rate or you may not get a very good one. If you order on the net to collect in your local Tcook you will get their best rate which today is 19.96, then ring them or pop in and tell them you want small notes.

other high street currency sellers are available

stephb34

photome wrote: »

other high street currency sellers are available

I didn't know their rates

Tia_24

Thanks very much!

I've read a lot online about if you should take US$ or Peso's and the majority of the advice is that if you're not American then you should take Peso's!

jhe

last few holidays i have popped into http://www.ramsdensforcash.co.uk/buy-it/travel-money/ I got all low denomination notes.
I also got a better rate instore than what they advertised online

benjus

stephb34 wrote: »

If you order on the net to collect in your local Tcook you will get their best rate which today is 19.96, then ring them or pop in and tell them you want small notes.

:eek: That's about an 8% cut on the mid-market rate. Even the worst cards to use abroad don't take more than about 5%, and the best take 0%. Up to you, but handing over 8% of your holiday money to the money changers doesn't sound very moneysaving to me.

photome

benjus wrote: »

:eek: That's about an 8% cut on the mid-market rate. Even the worst cards to use abroad don't take more than about 5%, and the best take 0%. Up to you, but handing over 8% of your holiday money to the money changers doesn't sound very moneysaving to me.

But you dont work for thomas cook

there are very few reasons why anyone should buy currency on the high street these days

stephb34

benjus wrote: »

:eek: That's about an 8% cut on the mid-market rate. Even the worst cards to use abroad don't take more than about 5%, and the best take 0%. Up to you, but handing over 8% of your holiday money to the money changers doesn't sound very moneysaving to me.

That rate was last Thursdays it has risen since then.
I was merely stating its not very often you get small notes out of cash machines abroad or normally when you order off the internet. At the end of the day some people actually like to support the high street, we've enough charity shops on our high street.