We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!

ordering Euros cash before trip

anna42hmr
anna42hmr Posts: 2,898 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
edited 26 February 2024 at 2:45PM in Flights, currency & car hire
Hello, we need to get some Euros cash prior to our holiday, I am looking to order them online for collection at a local  Sainbury's.   If i pay with a debit card, will they class this as a foreign exchange purchase as i am buying euros (and therefore charge the fee) or would this only be if using the card itself abroad?
MFW#105 - 2015 Overpaid £8095 / 2016 Overpaid £6983.24 / 2017 Overpaid £3583.12 / 2018 Overpaid £2583.12 / 2019 Overpaid £2583.12 / 2020 Overpaid £2583.12/ 2021 overpaid £1506.82 /2022 Overpaid £2975.28 / 2023 Overpaid £2677.30 / 2024 Overpaid £2173.61 Total OP since mortgage started in 2015 = £37,286.86 2025 MFW target £1700, payments to date at April 2025 - £1712.07..
«134

Comments

  • anna42hmr
    anna42hmr Posts: 2,898 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 26 February 2024 at 2:44PM
    Hello, we need to get some Euros cash prior to our holiday, I am looking to order them online for collection at a local  Sainbury's.   If i pay with a debit card, will they class this as a foreign exchange purchase as i am buying euros (and therefore charge the fee) or would this only be if using the card itself abroad?
    MFW#105 - 2015 Overpaid £8095 / 2016 Overpaid £6983.24 / 2017 Overpaid £3583.12 / 2018 Overpaid £2583.12 / 2019 Overpaid £2583.12 / 2020 Overpaid £2583.12/ 2021 overpaid £1506.82 /2022 Overpaid £2975.28 / 2023 Overpaid £2677.30 / 2024 Overpaid £2173.61 Total OP since mortgage started in 2015 = £37,286.86 2025 MFW target £1700, payments to date at April 2025 - £1712.07..
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 26 February 2024 at 2:45PM
    If the company that you buy € from gives you the price in £, then they have to charge your card in £ and your bank doesn't charge you for conversion. And I can't imagine buying € in UK without knowing the price I pay in £.

    As a side note, do you realise that with the right card it's cheaper just to withdraw € abroad or just pay abroad by the card?
  • Neil49
    Neil49 Posts: 3,442 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    No, it won't be classed as a purchase in a foreign currency.

    Ideally get a debit or credit card that doesn't charge fees when used abroad before you go. 
  • SiliconChip
    SiliconChip Posts: 2,033 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 26 February 2024 at 2:45PM
    Duplicate post on Travel board https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6508275/ordering-euros-cash-before-trip#latest
  • SiliconChip
    SiliconChip Posts: 2,033 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Duplicate post on Banking board https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6508274/using-debit-card-to-purchase-euros-before-we-leave-for-a-holiday#latest
  • JamesNoBonds
    JamesNoBonds Posts: 22 Forumite
    10 Posts First Anniversary
    edited 26 February 2024 at 2:45PM
    grumbler said:
    If the company that you buy € from gives you the price in £, then they have to charge your card in £ and your bank doesn't charge you for conversion. And I can't imagine buying € in UK without knowing the price I pay in £.

    As a side note, do you realise that with the right card it's cheaper just to withdraw € abroad or just pay abroad by the card?

    Any idea what the right card might be?
  • Mutton_Geoff
    Mutton_Geoff Posts: 4,068 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 26 February 2024 at 2:45PM
    JamesNoBonds said:

    Any idea what the right card might be?
    https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/
    Signature on holiday for two weeks
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 26 February 2024 at 2:45PM
    JamesNoBonds said:
    grumbler said:
    If the company that you buy € from gives you the price in £, then they have to charge your card in £ and your bank doesn't charge you for conversion. And I can't imagine buying € in UK without knowing the price I pay in £.

    As a side note, do you realise that with the right card it's cheaper just to withdraw € abroad or just pay abroad by the card?

    Any idea what the right card might be?
    Typically for MSE, the title is misleading. It has to be just "Travel cards".

    + Santander Edge


  • photome
    photome Posts: 16,712 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Bake Off Boss!
    If you have time it’s much more MSE  to get a fx fee free debit card or credit card ( or both) before you go  and use them while abroad to pay/get cash
  • MACKEM99
    MACKEM99 Posts: 1,174 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 26 February 2024 at 2:45PM
    I use Santander debit card to get money out in Spain and Halifax card for purchases.  Both work great.😃
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 246K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.8K Life & Family
  • 259.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture