US ($) Currency Thread 1 (closed - use thread 2)

lisaloo1977

Is that just on that site that it is dropping. I have been keeping an eye on the actual rates and it has not dropped that much!!! Do people know stuff we dont about what is coming up?

007JUNKY

lisaloo1977 wrote: »

Is that just on that site that it is dropping. I have been keeping an eye on the actual rates and it has not dropped that much!!! Do people know stuff we dont about what is coming up?

Not sure but the rate has been dropping steadily all day everywhere. I know that that paticular site is updated a few times during the day so must follow the bank rate which is also down since this morning

007JUNKY

Just checked site it has dropped again

lisaloo1977

Holy poo, it sure has just dropped. I thought 1.49 was bad!!!!!!!

Yoppishka

I am so kicking myself. I'm off to US in January and I thought about buying some $ in July. Really wish I had

sturll

With respect i think people nee to calm down a bit. Ok, i know rates were 2.10 this time last year - I was there!
And throughout the year the rates have dropped to now around 1.50.

But dont get carried away, for a start you get more for your money as it is, it used to be 2:1 generally.
i.e a Macdonalds would be $3.99 in UK £3.99

But although the rates have fallen lets not forget US prices have also fallen. So if we assume that this time last year an Abercrombie and Fitch sweater was $50 (£25) it may now be $39.99 (£26)
So not really as bad as first seems.

dizzybee

anyone got any thoughts on the fairfx pre paid card.were off to Disney in three weeks and was wondering if it was a good idea to apply for one.has i have never used one before .thanks

bitgiggy

dizzybee wrote: »

anyone got any thoughts on the fairfx pre paid card.were off to Disney in three weeks and was wondering if it was a good idea to apply for one.has i have never used one before .thanks

Hi dizzybee

I applied for a fairfx prepaid card for our trip to las vegas next week. Having constantly monitored the website for the exchange rates they offer it rarely beats the best exchange rate you can get for cash. For example, going through the travel money maximiser right now the best rate you can get is 1.488, whereas fairfx offer 1.4675.

What I did was purchase the minimum amount $20, hoping that by the time it gets here the exchange rate would be more favourable and I can top it up (apparently will show on your account in a couple of hours). If this does happen then I will do that.

One big disadvantage you have here is the fact that the only way to get money off of the card (for instance if you don't spend all you load) is to withdraw from a cash machine abroad and then change it up on your return, where you are likely to get a worse rate. (You can pay a £15 fee to get a refund directly to your bank account but this seems even worse)

What I would suggest is to apply for a nationwide flexaccount, I have done this and been sent a basic 'cash card' which you can still make withdrawals from abroad and get the best visa exchange rate which I have never found to be beaten.

Hope this helps!

If anyone does have any more feedback on the fairfx card I would be interested to read!

lisaloo1977

sturll wrote: »

With respect i think people nee to calm down a bit. Ok, i know rates were 2.10 this time last year - I was there!
And throughout the year the rates have dropped to now around 1.50.

But dont get carried away, for a start you get more for your money as it is, it used to be 2:1 generally.
i.e a Macdonalds would be $3.99 in UK £3.99

But although the rates have fallen lets not forget US prices have also fallen. So if we assume that this time last year an Abercrombie and Fitch sweater was $50 (£25) it may now be $39.99 (£26)
So not really as bad as first seems.

I was in Florida in May and again in Sept/Oct and experienced the difference from the rates. I am due to go to New York on 30th Dec.
My issue is that the hotel i booked and will pay for upon check in has not changed its prices to lowerr. It is to be paid for in $$$ so you can understand the cost when we booked it, is not anywhere near what it will be should we go.

Add on the fact that it is going to cost more in general whilst over there and i am just not sure it is worth going.

dblue75

I am off to Las Vegas on the 10/12/08. I've watched the $$$ go up and down like a yo-yo recently. Currently sitting around the $1.43 mark. Do you think the Bank of England will lower the base rate before i go therefore might ????? be a small surge in the strength of the £ and to hold off or bite the bullet and just get my bucks just now ????

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you .