Buying euros

Kimberley1234

Hi my son is going to spain on a school trip this friday and he needs to take 250 euros with him.

If i go to asda travel money do they charge for changing the money and how much will it cost.
Any advice please

Kim

eDicky

Yes Kim, they charge a hefty margin, it might be less for ordering online.

But if he's 16+ it's much better if he opens a Starling Bank account on his smartphone now, the debit card will arrive in a couple of days, and the pounds that are put in the account will be exchanged at the ideal rate with no fees when using the card for purchases or ATM withdrawal in Spain (although some Spanish bank ATMs now make a charge).

https://www.starlingbank.com/

maman

You can get euros in the High Street but Asda isn't offering the best rate.

Google euros High Street rates and you can find out what's best near where you live. Around here it's Debenhams or M&S or the Post Office or local bureaux de change.

You'd probably get better deals online but not sure if you have left it too late.

Kimberley1234

Hes only 14 and i have never done this before so not sure what i am doing and probably left it to the last minute.

Thanks

Kim

Kimberley1234

Can i use to cash to buy them at Debenhams i have read that the banks charge you as well.

Kim

Neil49

Have you checked availability using the MoneySavingExpert.com site?

https://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/

maman

Kimberley1234 wrote: »

Can i use to cash to buy them at Debenhams i have read that the banks charge you as well.

Kim

Yes, you're better off using cash as using a card can count as a foreign transaction that your bank may charge for.

I'd phone your local Debenhams first as in mine they've cut back on staff and sometimes close when they have lunch break. And tell them how much you want to change although they should have enough for £250.

Carrot007

eDicky wrote: »

(although some Spanish bank ATMs now make a charge)

Pretty much all now I would say. Last time there was pretty much just one machine you could use in the place I stayed.

Raging_Bull

eDicky wrote: »

Yes Kim, they charge a hefty margin, it might be less for ordering online.

But if he's 16+ it's much better if he opens a Starling Bank account on his smartphone now, the debit card will arrive in a couple of days, and the pounds that are put in the account will be exchanged at the ideal rate with no fees when using the card for purchases or ATM withdrawal in Spain (although some Spanish bank ATMs now make a charge).

https://www.starlingbank.com/

I'm confused by your message. Now, if the person asking the original question is asking if there is a fee involved getting money from Asda then the answer is NO. There is also no fee for booking online - where you would get a better rate. As another person has said, check that travel money link for the best rate in your area.


If you meant that they don't offer the very best rate when mentioning your 'heft wedge' then that's true, but some people don't want to buy a card for their travel money.

maman

Raging_Bull wrote: »

I'm confused by your message. Now, if the person asking the original question is asking if there is a fee involved getting money from Asda then the answer is NO. There is also no fee for booking online - where you would get a better rate. As another person has said, check that travel money link for the best rate in your area.


If you meant that they don't offer the very best rate when mentioning your 'heft wedge' then that's true, but some people don't want to buy a card for their travel money.

I think OP just wants to know the best value on the High Street and how to go about it.

For regular travellers there are other, better ways of spending abroad but that's not what was asked.

eDicky

Raging_Bull wrote: »

I'm confused by your message. Now, if the person asking the original question is asking if there is a fee involved getting money from Asda then the answer is NO. There is also no fee for booking online - where you would get a better rate. As another person has said, check that travel money link for the best rate in your area.


If you meant that they don't offer the very best rate when mentioning your 'heft wedge' then that's true, but some people don't want to buy a card for their travel money.

The OP appears inexperienced so to avoid confusion I simply indicated the cost involved in the exchange rate margin, even if there's no actual 'fee'.

I would not recommend to 'buy' a card for travel use, so I'm not sure what confused you there. As for preferring the exchange of cash to the use of a suitable card, advice here is usually for money saving.

Actually the best option for a 14 year old would be to open the Nationwide FlexOne account with debit card, and although it's probably too late now for the OP's son to receive the card, there's likely to be future trips. Totally free for overseas use, the account can be retained beyond age 18 and pays 1% interest.