ordering Euros cash before trip

anna42hmr

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?

anna42hmr

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?

grumbler

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

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

Duplicate post on Travel board https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6508275/ordering-euros-cash-before-trip#latest

SiliconChip

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

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

JamesNoBonds said:

Any idea what the right card might be?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards/

grumbler

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?

MSE: Travel credit cards

Typically for MSE, the title is misleading. It has to be just "Travel cards".

+ Santander Edge

photome

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

I use Santander debit card to get money out in Spain and Halifax card for purchases.  Both work great.😃