Last minute currency

thegreatpoobarr

Help!

Due to some crazy unforeseen circumstances I need to sort out currency for our trip to America TOMORROW!!!!

My fiancee's parents were both suddenly admitted to hospital and so all rights of our holiday were immediately out on hold, assuming we'd either sort it out with insurance or simply write it off completely. It's only in the last 24 hours were happy that they're both fit and healthy enough that we can travel, but we leave tomorrow.

I can deal with all the last minute stuff that needs booked (thanks Thomas Cook for taking 3.5k off of us and not bothering to even pretend to care about any kind of customer service with addons!), but I'm damned if I know what to do for currency. Help!

richardw

Travelex offer some cards you can pick up from their branches.

Also check https://revolut.com

You should be able to get some cash from a bureau de change this morning, find a few on google maps that are convenient and then check the rates on their websites, it's easier to pay with cash. Avoid the airport.

Where in the Uk are you?

thegreatpoobarr

Travelex -check. I'll have a look.

Revolut - doesn't that need done in advance in order to receive the card?

thegreatpoobarr

richardw wrote: »

Where in the Uk are you?

Whoops, just spotted your question. West of Scotland, just outside Glasgow, will be flying out from Glasgow International tomorrow morning.

thegreatpoobarr

Replying to my own thread here (is that the internet equivalent of muttering to yourself?), but damn! I wish I'd known about the Travelex Supercard in advance. That would've been perfect!

It's looking like one of their Currency Passports (any discernible difference between single and multi? besides the obvious of course) would be the best approach. I can order it today and grab it tomorrow on our travels through the airport. Reckon I'l order some cash in advance too, save messing around with any of my local providers.

Anyone see any faults in my logic?

richardw

Sounds ok, have a thorough read of the relevant here http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/?tab=sect17 just to make sure.

NiftyDigits

Revolut can be used as a virtual payment system. You get a virtual card as soon as you've signed up...within a few minutes.
You can use that online bookings and settling hotel bills etc
Can save some money that way as you'll receive a better exchange rate. Plus you'll get another 1%(£5) if you do an initial top of £500 using the MSE promo code.
Any remaining balance can be used penny for penny in the UK, so no losses there.

If you buy a currency card, you may be stuck with US$ that will be expensive to re-convert or withdraw.

thegreatpoobarr

The basics, flights and hotels, are all sorted and paid, so it's really just day to day living we need to sort now. I'm not sure a virtual card would be useful for that, would it?

Maybe handy for booking attractions the night before though?

NiftyDigits

thegreatpoobarr wrote: »

The basics, flights and hotels, are all sorted and paid, so it's really just day to day living we need to sort now. I'm not sure a virtual card would be useful for that, would it?

Maybe handy for booking attractions the night before though?

Yes, it costs you nothing to set up. In fact you can make a profit, even if you don't use it.

What cards do you hold currently?

thegreatpoobarr

Available to us are...

Santander - 123, current account, and credit card
M&S credit card
Mint credit card

The worst cards in the world for travel..

eDicky

If I'm not mistaken, the Santander 123 credit card has no overseas fees until the end of the year.