Best High street Currency purchase?

[Deleted User]

Hi guys,

As above. I'm away on Thursday, very last minute, and I need a few hundred Euro's to take with. What's my best option, buying on the high street?

Thanks.

eDicky

Apart from the banks, which are obviously best avoided, the worst rate on the high street is probably the Post Office. Thomas Cook rates are a bit more reasonable if you order online, or perhaps walk in and quote those rates, or at least don't appear too naive and accept the lousy rate they will try on you. I can't answer you question as to who is best on the high street as I never buy that way, and neither should you.

If you are in SE England walk into your nearest branch of Metro Bank and open an account, the debit card they will issue on the spot has zero fees for use in Europe.

If that's not possible, sign up for Monzo prepaid via the link in the MSE article to jump the queue, load the initial £100 by bank transfer, and your card will arrive a day or two later.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards

Withdraw cash euros with this card at your destination, but use it for payments if possible as it has £250/day £1000/week cash withdrawal limits. If you happen to be departing from Stansted, Gatwick or Southend airports you can withdraw cash euros or some other European currencies from a Moneycorp ATM with the Monzo card at the straight MasterCard rate without fees, but be very careful to select 'Without Conversion' (not 'With Conversion') when the screen gives the choice, to avoid being given a shockingly bad rate by Moneycorp. This only works at Moneycorp ATMs, no others, using a credit or prepaid card (don't try Revolut). I tested it recently by withdrawing $100 at Southend using Monzo, getting the MasterCard rate with no fees.

[Deleted User]

eDicky wrote: »

Apart from the banks, which are obviously best avoided, the worst rate on the high street is probably the Post Office. Thomas Cook rates are a bit more reasonable if you order online, or perhaps walk in and quote those rates, or at least don't appear too naive and accept the lousy rate they will try on you. I can't answer you question as to who is best on the high street as I never buy that way, and neither should you.

If you are in SE England walk into your nearest branch of Metro Bank and open an account, the debit card they will issue on the spot has zero fees for use in Europe.

If that's not possible, sign up for Monzo prepaid via the link in the MSE article to jump the queue, load the initial £100 by bank transfer, and your card will arrive a day or two later.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/prepaid-travel-cards

Withdraw cash euros with this card at your destination, but use it for payments if possible as it has £250/day £1000/week cash withdrawal limits. If you happen to be departing from Stansted, Gatwick or Southend airports you can withdraw cash euros or some other European currencies from a Moneycorp ATM with the Monzo card at the straight MasterCard rate without fees, but be very careful to select 'Without Conversion' (not 'With Conversion') when the screen gives the choice, to avoid being given a shockingly bad rate by Moneycorp. This only works at Moneycorp ATMs, no others, using a credit or prepaid card (don't try Revolut). I tested it recently by withdrawing $100 at Southend using Monzo, getting the MasterCard rate with no fees.

Wow, thanks mate - very insightful! When I saw the length of your reply first thing this morning on my phone I decided to shelve it until I went onto my computer, I feared you would have been giving me a lecture on Brexit with that many words

Some very useful stuff there though. I've got a SuperCard (tied to my credit card) but it's always good to have some "Monopoly" money on the hip I find...

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Liking the look of that "Revolt" card :cool:

Any users here?

eDicky

slipd wrote: »

Liking the look of that "Revolt" card :cool:

Any users here?

Many. I've used it since they began about twenty months ago, saved real money on purchases and transfers. Steady innovation and good service these days, but now the card costs a fiver and not so good for your withdrawal needs with a £200 limit per calendar month before 2% fee.